10/11/05 is National Coming Out Day....

[appnut]

I told my oldest sister a couple of years ago. She was surprised, thought I really liked women. She's been supportive, as has her husband. My other sister was thinking about moving here. She's now goes to one of those fundamentalist Bible churches, leaving the Catholic church almost 20 years ago. Advice by my other sister and one of my "gay parents" suggested I should tell her about myself so she could make a decision as to whether to still move here or not. I did this the night b4 I left for Omaha in June. Didn't hear much from her until about 6 weeks later when she told me she was closing on her old house and moving to a rent house in Dallas. My mom commented they were quite surprised by my sister's sudden change of plans to not move here. But I "knew". It sent me into a deep funk for a month or so and it still hurts deeply.

I told a good friend of mine from church after she had made comments about a couple of guys she knew in Midland that were such good dancers and ... She said gay guys are cool. I replied, I"m one of those cool guys. She was flabberghasted, say NOOOOOO GET OUTTA HERE. She then asked, "do you do hair"? NOOOOOOOOOO. "Do you like to decorate?" NOOOOOOOOOOOOO I"m just a typical guy who prefers .....

A couple of people know at work, they're tolerant.

Texas is going to be voting on one of those ammendment type things soon about marriage should only be between a man & a woman. There was a guy from work on the local news last night--the issue was a flyer that showed up at work as a political statement and concern "we" were going to be bussing in "us" to Texas to register our voters to help win this vote. Work's official response is they don't condone any political messages or flyers at work. And it's true, never seen anything at all. Anyway, I actually sent this young man an email thanking him for something I could never do. He was most appreciative of the kind words and support I sent to him. Revealing myself was a big step. So I guess I "came out" today in a way LOL. Hadn't even occurred to me until seeing this thread.

My parents don't know for sure. I don't see a need to as they're in their late 80s. And I don't care to go through what David's parents have done to him--my sister is painful enough. I'd only planned on telling them if I ended up with someone special, but that's not likely to happen anyway.

 

[veg-o-matic]

Bob, I feel for you. On the other hand, I'm laughing at your friend's reaction!

Every once in a while it'll occur to me that:
1. I don't care for Judy, Liza, Cher, or Madonna.
2. I couldn't decorate my way out of a paper bag.
3. I dance like a white guy, which is to say, a series of spastic motions having no relationship to the beat.
4. Have no color sense.
5. I'm a lousy host.
6. I own power tools. And know how to use them.

I keep thinking that one of these days, someone from Corporate is going to come by and make me relinquish my membership card!

veg

 

[DADoES]

<blockquote>She then asked, "do you do hair"?</blockquote>ROFLMHAO!!!

 

[toggleswitch]

call me versatile...

It makes my mother CRAZY that I am just as good with a tool-box as I am with a food-processor.

What can I say I NEED to be a complete well-rounded independent person. Gotta do it all.

Living well is the BEST revenge.

Learned early-on you can depend only on your own two hands.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

OUT = GOOD

I knew I was a good friend of Dorothy by the time I was about
5, but I figured out that it would be best to keep a low profile for the time being. So I didn't really come out until
I was 21 in 1973. At that time there were quite a few "low
profile" Gays in Western Nevada County, mostly owned small
artsy shops or eating establishments. I was beginning to mix with some of them by then. Most of my tight high school friends were very accepting; I am the youngest of three boys;
I ended up telling my brothers within six months, actually it was at a birthday party for both of them as they both have April birthdays. They were totally cool. It was just shortly after the American Psychiatric Organization ( I forget the exact name of the group ) went on official record saying that
homosexuals are not "nuts", but ever so slightly rattled! My oldest brother referenced that very fact. I didn't come out to the folks until 1977 and that was at the quizzing by my father. He was incredibly relieved, that he finally figured out why I was so different(????) from David & Dennis. To his credit and during this discussion he took a $100 bill out of his wallet and gave it too me during our conversation. I knew that was his way of saying that he could accept me; not necessarily understand, but that he loved me as he did my brothers. ( In many ways @ the time one could easily liken
CK to Archie Bunker) He stated that he was mostly concerned about me being lonely and having a "hard" (npi!) life. I was very tight with Mother Dearest and she was upset that I didn't have the talk with her, but no one in my family has ever rejected me. And as well they have been totally supportive through my 20+ years of living with the dreaded
HIV.(I am asymptomatic [knock on vintage washingmachine!])Do any of you remember the wonderful mid 70's (75/6 iirc) docu-mentary "Word Is Out"? Happy "Outness" Darlings! note to Bob
appnut, "Chile, never ever say never ever!"
xox frontal

 

[toggleswitch]

YAY to continued good health.

 

[hoover1060]

Hmmm...

I have really enjoyed these posts.
Like Veg, I am waiting for someone to come take my card away as:
I'm not a Liza or Judy or Barbara fan
I've never seen all of "Mildred Pierce" or "Valley of the Dolls"
I'm not much of a decorator
I've never had a manicure or pedicure
I detest going to the mall
I own some power tools and know how to use them
I've never been afraid to get my hands dirty

Our diversity is what makes us all special!

 

[jasonl]

I like shopping
-- and when shopping, it's toys, appliances, computer, tv, and stereo stuff.
I like Judy, Liza, Cher and Madonna
I'm ok with colors
I love cooking and kitchen stuff
I love appliances (duh)
I used to sew but I haven't for a while
I would've taken Home Ec in school but that would've heaped more coals on the torture.

And...

I'm str8.

We are a diverse crowd and I like it.

 

[westytoploader]

Well...

I also like shopping for appliances, electronics, and even clothes, colognes, etc.
I like the "contemporary" Euro-style look in my room where others have sports posters plastered all over the wall
I'm probably the only one I know with a 1983 Zenith 27" console sitting in my room
I like cooking and sewing (haven't sewed since Freshman year when I was doing technical work for a fall play and had to machine-sew costumes, however)
I took Home Ec in 7th grade (along with two "normal" in my class that you couldn't see taking it...we made Barbecue Shrimp for one recipe project and it was GOOD)
I like doing laundry and vacuuming, and I always wash a load or two before any major social event...LOL
Of course I like the appliances and prefer vintage to modern when it comes down to certain things...

And I'm also a straight guy.

Gotta love this great group we have here!

 

[toggleswitch]

breaking stereotypes one at a time.

(PS I'm straight too.. straight to bed)

 

[Versatronic]

Huh?

Another straight guy? Did you just come out of the closet now or did you come out before? I had to think long and hard before I admitted my straightness here. I wasn't sure what the repercussions would be. I wanted to fit in. I felt a little ashamed of myself hiding who I really was. I thought that in a just world, I would be able to admit my straightness and still be accepted, but the world is cruel sometimes and people who are different are sometimes shunned and looked down on.

But I felt I was living a lie and decided to come clean. And if the others shunned me or looked down on me or felt threatened by my straightness, well, that's the way it goes. I can't control others, I can only control myself and I wanted to look at myself in the mirror and be proud of myself. So, I outed myself. And I never looked back.

And Jason, I don't know if you just outed yourself for the first time just now or not, but if you did, and it was because you took your inspiration from me, then by damned I've done a good thing. And I encourage all straight people to come out here. There may be a bigger percentage of straights in the closet here than people think. I'm sure the others will accept us. But if they don't, well, we can start automaticwashingmachine.org and be all inclusive. We'll even let French people join.

 

[toggleswitch]

Bottom line is I dont really care where anyone sticks it..

You str8 guys are ok in my book, even with your sick desires.

LOL ROFL LMAO.

 

[michaelman2]

Man I tell ya, it sure is wild to read these posts and relate to many of them. Suzi Homemaker was my favorite line of toys..had the dishwasher, range, blender. Still look at the ones on Ebay and pine for them. I can do a mean shampoo & set! I can whomp up a room real quick. Not to wild about Barbra or Liza though. Not real swishy either..I never will forget years ago I used to volunteer at a YMCA camp and one of the campers (7 yoa boy) was talking to me as we fished, said " My mommie told me I have to watch out for the homoseptics". I am guessing these are very clean homosexuals?..ha Hope my card is still valid?

 

[jasonl]

Heteroseptics

Well, septic refers to gross like poo poo and pee pee, so a homoseptic would be one dirty homosexual. In more ways than one.

Hey hey hey, what's so sick about hot belly dancers, sexy weather reporters, and short women?

 

[maytagbear]

Stereotypes and me-

Dislike down to her DNA: Celine.

Dislike intensely: Madonna

Dislike somewhat: Cher (would not turn the radio off if one of her songs came on, but would not seek her out.)

Like somewhat: Judy and Liza.

USED to like: Barbra. Used to like her before she caterwauled with Celine.

In January of this year, I rode with two friends to other friends in New York state. Three homos in the same car. It really didn't help that we have known each other for over 10 years. The boys insisted on playing a compilation cd called "Dancing Queens." It was not a particularly delightful travel experience.

(What can I say? I'm a BEAR..... I listen to "The Killers- Hot Fuss", the original cast of "RENT," early Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel-after Genesis....)

I used to enjoy recreational shopping, but it's lost a lot of it's appeal lately. Goodwill, and other thrifts are still cool.

My mechanical skills are limited to changing light bulbs and plunging the commode.

Some people would call me a "gourmet" cook, though that is certainly not a word I would ever use. If pressed, I say that I am "a good cook who likes to cook.) (usually)

Some say I have an eye for colour, but that's about as far as my decorating goes. I'm more interested in "organic" groupings than "arrangements."

Even though Ma taught Home Economics (Domestic Science,) she never taught me to sew more than a button. There have been times when I have resented this fact.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[jasonl]

Versa

I've been outed a while here. Everyone knows I'm str8 and accepted me anyway. I've been to 2 conventions and had a blast. This club is very diverse and very accepting.

 

[Versatronic]

Well

I wish I had known there was a pioneer before me who lived to tell about it! I would have outed myself hours earlier.

 

[michaelman2]

Hey Jason..that was tongue in cheek regarding "clean"..

 

[Timonator]

Funny story

When I told my mother i was gay...she was working part time at a resale clothing shop for women. she was very supportive but..a few days after I told her my "secret" she stated "you know..they have some pretty nice dresses at the store".. I then had to do some explaining.. Mom..I may be gay..but I DONT wear dresses or womans clothing LOL! She assumed all gay men were into womens clothing LOL..but anyway..bless her heart! I love her to death

 

[jasonl]

I know, Mike, I was just adding to the humor.