Happy National 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.

[Trek420]

I'd say I "practiced" coming out on my siblings first. UK's Mom, Duck on Wheels and my brother. They were both very supportive.

I did not imagine my parents would be so upset because they were and still are (though my Dad passed in '03) very active in issues including civil rights.

But it was early 70's. Mom hit the roof.

My Dad remained the calm, loving presence he always was. There was no Will and Grace, no Ellen, no examples. They did not know anyone who was gay (I think they did, just nobody spoke about it). Every bit of info available then spoke of a short, tragic life ending in suicide or drugs, booze.

We kept the lines of communication open, we both talked and came around.

My one regret is that Dad never got to meet Knott and especially sKnott. He'd have loved them both and they him. Mom's making up for it