Just yesterday I was taking a Uber ride back home, the driver telling me about his girlfriend, and I hesitated before telling him about my boyfriends. To this day, I still surprise myself when the closet comes back and tries to embrace me again.
Like you, I've been building up my path towards and through acceptance, and reading your text resonated a lot with me. ❤️
I relate so much to this writing and all of your writings. I got an HIV+ diagnosis in 1991 while I was attending BYU. You confirm that the choices I’ve made are normal as a gay man. I have protected myself and my family from pain and ridicule. I now share if I’m dating and allow the discomfort to float on down the stream. I’ve had an awaken to this in the past few years. Your writing affirms me and my voice.
Hey Brian, You may enjoy Andrew Holleran's book I mention at the beginning of this post. Just click on the link. It was bittersweet reading, but made me feel that I was making choices normal for a gay man.
I didn't go to BYU as a student, but attended a ballroom dance camp there while in high school. In the BYU dorms I discovered another gay guy my age and it changed the trajectory of my life for the better.
Thanks for reaching out and affirming me and my voice as well, brother.
Thanks for sharing. My boyfriend and I broke up at the 1993 March on Washington. Should have seen it coming when he didn't want to ride down with me and I had to take the bus. Anyway, saw all those wonderful men and police officers standing guard to protect us. After he dumped me, I loaded the U-Haul and drove to Washington with $100 and a promise of a room in a flophouse! (Yeah, gives me chills, even now.) Few months, had a job, doing queer politics, met a hot Italian guy at a sex party on Florida Avenue (glad I chose Italian over French). If I had gone home with the other guy I wouldn't have relocated to Albuquerque, broken up... and met the guy I've been with for 28 years!!! Thank you, March on Washington 1993!!!
So moving. Thank you💚
“And with our acceptance, we have lost a bonding agent that sustained me for decades.”
“In the search for dignity, I was grappling with my own shame, and people who do not love themselves are capable of real meanness.”
Profound / resonance.
Gratitude.
Just yesterday I was taking a Uber ride back home, the driver telling me about his girlfriend, and I hesitated before telling him about my boyfriends. To this day, I still surprise myself when the closet comes back and tries to embrace me again.
Like you, I've been building up my path towards and through acceptance, and reading your text resonated a lot with me. ❤️
I relate so much to this writing and all of your writings. I got an HIV+ diagnosis in 1991 while I was attending BYU. You confirm that the choices I’ve made are normal as a gay man. I have protected myself and my family from pain and ridicule. I now share if I’m dating and allow the discomfort to float on down the stream. I’ve had an awaken to this in the past few years. Your writing affirms me and my voice.
Hey Brian, You may enjoy Andrew Holleran's book I mention at the beginning of this post. Just click on the link. It was bittersweet reading, but made me feel that I was making choices normal for a gay man.
I didn't go to BYU as a student, but attended a ballroom dance camp there while in high school. In the BYU dorms I discovered another gay guy my age and it changed the trajectory of my life for the better.
Thanks for reaching out and affirming me and my voice as well, brother.
Thanks for sharing. My boyfriend and I broke up at the 1993 March on Washington. Should have seen it coming when he didn't want to ride down with me and I had to take the bus. Anyway, saw all those wonderful men and police officers standing guard to protect us. After he dumped me, I loaded the U-Haul and drove to Washington with $100 and a promise of a room in a flophouse! (Yeah, gives me chills, even now.) Few months, had a job, doing queer politics, met a hot Italian guy at a sex party on Florida Avenue (glad I chose Italian over French). If I had gone home with the other guy I wouldn't have relocated to Albuquerque, broken up... and met the guy I've been with for 28 years!!! Thank you, March on Washington 1993!!!
Love this. Related to every word. Hope you won’t mind if I share. Promise I’ll give you credit
So glad you related to it Andrew. It makes me feel less alone. Please share it far and wide.
Hello dear