"I am gay"...the three magic words

[YOSHI-da]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 4:15am

Well I know something similar to this was posted here last month, but I just had to say this somewhere. Sorry for taking up space here.

For some very strange reason, in the course of 3 months in my 2nd year of college, I have grown from denial to full acceptance of myself being gay. I mean, I really tried to deny this for as long as I could remember. And all of sudden, I suddenly do not care what people or what my friends think. I am just ready to burst out and tell people that I am gay (and I think this is my first time ever full typing...or saying those three words).

This is all so strange and sudden to me. However, in the end, I think I don't have that courage to tell my parents yet.

I guess I was just looking for a place where I can tell my new realization. Whoever is reading this, I guess you're the first people I officially come out to.

Anyway, sorry for taking up time and space and have a pleasant tomorrow.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 4:37am

I am honered that you told us. I am even happier that you chose to do so. Believe me a lot of people that you know already have some idea. And remember that coming out is not an event, it is a process. Congratulations on a monumental and life changing day.

[mirandajrs]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 4:37am

Good for you Yoshi-da! There's nothing to be ashamed of.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 5:11am

best of luck,yoshi-da-san(sama?).'Taint no fun , but get it over and done with.

But with all that 'bursting'?-try not to get any on anyone - or at least wear protection

[paradox_error]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 6:07am

HOORAY FOR YOSHI!!!
As a soon to be 18 year old (in 1 hour and 56 minutes) gay man I am so happy for you. I didn't begin to come to terms with my sexuality until the beginning of this year. I knw exactly where you are coming from, and trust me, every little thing helps. This post is the first step on a long journey to self-acceptance, and hopefully pride. It isn't easy, and I for one sometimes wish I was straight, but it gets better.
GOOD LUCK!!!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 8:47am

Congratulations!

And may I dedicate this song in your honor:

I am what I am
I don`t need praise,
I don`t need pity,
I bang my own drum
Some call it noise,
I call it pretty.
And so what if I love each bauble and each bangle,
Why not try to see things from a different angle?
Your life is a sham
'Till you can shout out,
"I am what I am!"

I am what I am
And what I am
Needs no excuses.
I deal my own deck,
Sometimes the ace
Sometimes the duces.
And there's no return and no deposit,
So it's time to open up your closet!
Life's not worth a damn,
'Till you can say, "Hey, world,
"I am what I am!"

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 8:45am

Addy always has the right thing to say!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 8:54am

Thank goodness for show tunes!

[AbsolutKnight]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 8:55am

Hey! Good for you! And I saw come out to whomever you want to whenever you want. I personally found it much easier to come out to my friends first, before my family. But I have several friends who found it easier to do just the opposite. Luckily for me though there wasn't one person I told that wasn't accepting of it. I wish the same to you!

[AbsolutKnight]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 8:56am

oh and Red, what a gorgeous picture.

[Herbert_Von_Krolock]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 9:46am

Good Luck Yoshi and don't apologise for taking up time or space. That's what the O.T. board is here for. I wish you the best. With all the gay men who post here, I think it's a good place to start because most of us have been there and know what its like.

[midtowngym]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 10:20am

Uh oh guys. This board is now TURNING people homo!

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 10:29am

Congrats on your bravery, Yoshi!

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 1:42pm

YOSH-Thank you for coming out to us, now it is time to come out to those you care for most.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 1:54pm

"three magic words".
But what do you get... does some magical cave open and reveal the riches or national treasure?

Cheers, YOSH...

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 1:57pm

You get a toaster.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 1:59pm

don't forget the initiation and membership card

[2day4u9704301]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 2:03pm

Initiation?? I didn't have one of those.

It sounds like fun.

In all seriousness, Congratulations Yoshi!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 2:03pm

Good for you, Yoshi! Here's a link to a helpful book. The important thing is to surround yourself with support systems--which you've already started doing!
Outing Yourself: How to Come Out as Lesbian or Gay to Your Family, Friends, and Coworkers

[Matt_G]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 2:19pm

Since Yoshi joined only today and is comfortable enough already to come out, I think it's time for me to do the same thing.

I, my dear friends, am a gay.

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking there's no way! How could it be true, you're asking yourselves as you're banging your heads violently on your desks. Well, it's true and I'm not changing for any of you.

Updated On: 12/14/04 at 02:19 PM

[YOSHI-da]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 2:37pm

Thank you all! I never imagined getting this sort of support.

I get a toaster and a membership card?? Hmmmmm...I actually want a Borders gift card more...

NYadgal, may I ask what song is that from?

Joey, actually...I DID get the book, but I don't know if I can follow the steps in it. Telling friends first is one thing. Finding a bunch of gay friends as "support" before telling my parents is what I cannot do. It just seems like I'm leading a double-life or something. I'd rather tell my parents first and then meet other people as who I really am without any worries. Also, against the book, I think I may tell my sister first...just because I feel it may be better to have someone supporting when the...um...explosion comes around.

And good for you Matt! Updated On: 12/14/04 at 02:37 PM

[midtowngym]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 2:41pm

Now it all makes sense Matt. When i heard you were light in the loafers, i just assumed you were dieting...

[Matt_G]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 2:42pm

Well that too, but yes midtown. It's true. I'm a gay.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 2:55pm

Don't worry about the order of the steps. There's no right way or wrong way. many of the steps in the book are to shore up your self-esteem--and it sounds like you've already done that work on your own.

And as Matt demonstrates, coming out as "a gay" is something you do every day!

Addy's song is from La Cage Aux Folles--and it was a triumphant disco hit during the early days of the AIDS crisis, when coming out was a life or death issue. While our friends were dying and the Reagan and Bush administrations refused to even say the word, millions of us threw open our closet doors, threw off our shirts, threw our arms up in the air and sang along with Gloria Gaynor "Hey, world--I AM what I AM!"

[ckeaton]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 3:02pm

PJ, you can be a very nurturing and supportive person.