Happy National Coming Out Day!

[uk elephant]

Happy coming out day to my lovely aunt Trek and her fabulous wife Knot!

[grouch2]

Happy Coming Out Day to all from me and my wife of almost 18 years!
BTW, this is my first post.
Oh, my, I've never come out in a first post before.

[OakLeaf]

Wow! Welcome Grouch (and Mrs. Grouch) and may you be less grouchy if you choose.

[Trek420]

Happy Coming Out Day to all from me and my wife of almost 18 years!
BTW, this is my first post.
Oh, my, I've never come out in a first post before.

Welcome, Grouches to TE

Pax, I came out in '74. Yikes How times have changed and for the better I think.

And who's Mrs Grundy?

[goldfinch]

Welcome, Grouches to TE

Pax, I came out in '74. Yikes How times have changed and for the better I think.

And who's Mrs Grundy?

Freedom begins when you tell Mrs. Grundy to go fly a kite.
-- Lazarus Long
(Robert Heinlein quote)

The history:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrs_Grundy

[surgtech1956]

Happy National Coming Out Day to everyone. I came out in 1994.

[channlluv]

I remember when my cousin Tiffany came out to me and my younger brother about 16-17 years ago at my grandparents' 50th Anniversary Party. She was all nervous. "Um, I've, um, got something to, um, tell you." We looked at her expectantly. "I'm a lesbian," she said.

Tim and I just looked at her. "And?"

Happy Coming Out, Spiff.

Roxy

(I should amend this to add that we shared a big laugh and a big hug at her huge relief that we weren't freaked out by her announcement. Like it was a secret or something. Sheesh, the pressure she was putting on herself.)

[Antaresia]

Honestly, I'm having more fun with my parents having them assume I'm gay rather than know I'm bi; so I've never told them anything one way or the other. My mom mostly doesn't want to go near the topic (except for that 20 minute rant on how she "doesn't agree with gay marriage"). The only thing that makes this tragic rather than hilarious is that there is another member of my family who *is* gay, in the closet, and closer to my parents than I am. *sigh*

happy coming out day?

[zoom-zoom]

Happy Coming Out Day to all from me and my wife of almost 18 years!
BTW, this is my first post.
Oh, my, I've never come out in a first post before.

Coolest. first post. ever! Welcome to TE!

[indysteel]

Coolest. first post. ever! Welcome to TE!

+1!!!

I know I'm a day late, but Happy Coming Out Day nevertheless. Your stories are all so poignant. Thank you so much for sharing.

[maillotpois]

When I was 5, my mom married a man who was significantly older than she. He had four grown sons. The only one who wasn't resentful of the marriage (and me) was gay. So I grew up having gay stepbrother and his partner for Christmas every year. We spent a lot of time with them - I loved them both.

The amazing thing was my dad - he had maybe an 8th grade education; grew up in Arkansas; was self-made as a home builder - in the 1970's when all this was happening, he accepted gay stepbrother and partner, no questions, no comments. At the time I didn't appreciate that at all - because it was just normal for me. But looking back, I have a much greater appreciation for my dad because of it.

[Norse]

A day late but I can't point to the year I came out as it was an ongoing process starting around 1985. First, I told my sister because I was pretty sure she already knew (she didn't) and that she would be cool with it (she was and even chose my partner and I as the first godparents for her children). A few years later while we were standing in my aunt's apartment in, apropros, San Francisco deveining shrimp, I told mom; a while later my sister "accidently" told brother because she thought I had already talked to him; about one year after telling mom, finally worked up the courage to tell dad; people at work (have to come out all over again when you change jobs!); and on it goes. I know many people who struggled with coming out, older people who still fear coming out, people who were disowned by their family.... I feel lucky to have the supportive family that I have always had.

I have an especially fond memory of my dad, may he rest in peace, who - shortly after learning I was a lesbian - met my partner for the first time: he walked right up to her and embraced her in one of his big 'ole bear hugs.

[redrhodie]

A big hug to everyone who is out. Life is too short to stay in.