When I was a freshman at Baruch College in the fall of 1984, I was required to take a freshman seminar class in the Student Services Building and my seminar class was next to the room for the Gay and lesbian Alliance.
I thought I was straight back then and was not comfortable around anyone gay. One day while waiting for the class to start there were a couple of gay students having lunch on the table between the rooms and I was sitting on a bench next to the table. Out of the blue I hear a voice saying "What are you taking?", a classmate pointed out the guy was asking me the question. I was both embarrassed and angry and coldly replied "I am uncertain" and that ended it right there.
I look back and think what may have happened if I loosened up and started a conversation with him. I could have been out in 1984, ten years earlier on the gay scene instead of 1994. I often wonder how things would have been.
1 comment:
Reminds me of my first lover. I was at a Good friday Party with students from the Chicago Art Institue. A young man went out of his way to ask me a question... and I responder with a simple No! The following week I was at another get together and he came up to me and asked another question, and again I gave a one word reply. Shortly after, I was at an opening of a new gay bar, and again he came up to me took my hand and asked..."is no the only word I knew?" I was not Out, but had gay friends... and that night was a beginning of a 3 year affair. At least I found OUT!
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