I've shared my coming out story many times. There is a copy of it here.
It's National Coming Out Day today, one of the few GLBT days of significance. Last night I came up with an idea (if not now, when?) that apparently wasn't well received. I wondered if people speaking out for equality, 100 voices strong, might just generate something larger...and maybe even could eventually have an effect on Proposition 8 in California.
Yes, people do have their own concerns. I just think it is sad when people can't take some time out to support equal rights, for an hour...or a day.
In the past it was my habit to provide space for people to tell their own stories. Here it is.
I'm a good listener. Ask anyone.
Art Link
Colors
People
I don't know
exactly when
I became one of us
if I first decided
I was
or maybe it was when
someone called me
one of "those people"
but I can't deny
I have a people
I belong to
We all do
whether we deny it
or not
As one of my people
I can not sit idly by
while my people
are disparaged
degraded
humiliated
dismissed
We are not jokes
Our lives are not jokes
What we have
to put up with
from other people
vicious other people
is no joke
My people
are teachers
are artists
are thinkers
are lesbians
are writers
are gender-variant
and so much
ever so much
so god damned much
more
my people
all my people
I cannot
be divided
against myself
--Robyn Elaine Serven
--February 15, 2006 |
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The list, in reverse chronological order, which includes some from last night for the sake of context.
An Apology - Tangent101
Coming Out is a Lifelong Process - sfbob
If I could really "come out" I would - Michellebird
Gay Thoughts from a Straight Dad on National Coming Out Day, Take Two - tbrucegodfrey
"So, are you gay?" "I ... don't know." - iampunha
My NCOD diary - Conshieguy
Straight man's thoughts on friends on National Coming Out Day - ronin122
For Coming Out Day, How I know homosexuality is not a CHOICE - Ellinorianne
My Coming Out - Not Awful - Kineslaw
My Two Gay Uncles - Jonzee
Coming Out Day: Now I'm Scared - Cassandra Waites
My coming out: Alcohol, Suicide and then peace. - BFSkinner
how my sisters outed me on christmas eve - siddharthasays
My mom tried to pray away the gay - jdbuckjr
"...but you're my daughter, and I love you." - BoiseBlue
Why marriage matters -- and isn't just a state issue - decafdyke
Erasing Hate - Ten Years Later - mconvente
Coming Out Day - My Family Story - 1864 House
Shout It Loud, Out And Proud! - jayjaybear
Another gay Mormon - selfliberation
My coming out story, 1985. - osterizer
How I Came Out - Killer of Sacred Cows
Gay small business coming out - mem from somerville
I'm coming out.... - bvljac
Please come back home. - pinsomniac
An ex wife of a gay American - caliberal
I don't support gay rights - ThatPoshGirl
Coming Out As a Straight Supporter - Sailbourne
A Modest Proposal to Resolve the Same-Sex Marriage Issue - NWTerriD
You can thank us on National Coming Out Day: Oppose California's Prop 8 - AndyS In Colorado
All I want to do is marry my girlfriend. - smellybeast
After 14 years, what's the rush? - culveen
Coming-Out Anecdote From an Immigrant - Ian S
Just Say No! - jpmassar
Coming-out day - What my little sis taught me - LatteLibertarian
A Mormon's view of CA Prop (h)8 - mofembot
Coming Out Day: I'm Not Gay - Cassandra Waites
National Coming Out Day. Straight by choice? Never again - lindsay nj
Because it is marriage, damn it! - madscipiper
Coming out to my mom - InfinityLincoln
Miscegenation. - JeffLieber
Why this election is so important: Peoples is Peoples - BFSkinner
My "coming out" story (circa 1990) - CDH in Brooklyn
National Coming Out Day: 20 years - Tara the Antisocial Social Worker
Saturday in Sonoma (California, and I, celebrate our atonement) - Seitanist
I'm gay. - vacantlook
Coming Out Day Stories - rserven
Prop. 8 on the verge of passing? - TCS Orpheus
Not-So-Self-Evident Truths - ramara
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Good News for Connecticut, But... - psychodrew
If not now, when? - rserven
Stop turning on your own: gay rights doesn't hurt Obama - ddarko
come out, come out, wherever you are! - GLBT and Friends