Coming out in The Advocate: a new tradition: if we call our struggle the gay rights movement, maybe it's because it all begins when someone steps forward.Coming out gets people's attention; it transforms a faceless "issue" into an undeniably human story. When entertainers or newsmakers come out, people talk, and minds are changed. It's another step forward. But in the past decade, as we have reached previously unthinkable milestones on our long road to freedom--civil unions, gay mayors, court-ordered gay-straight alliances in high schools--celebrities have often lagged behind, dithering Simulating more colors and shades in a palette. In a monochrome system that displays or prints only black and white, shades of grays can be simulated by creating varying patterns of black dots. This is how halftones are created in a monochrome printer. and evasive, placing more value on the public spotlight than on telling the truth. Yet so-called ordinary people continue to come out. Every single day. At The Advocate we know that no one's coming-out is ever ordinary. Whoever you are, you have your own spotlight: You are the connection between your cousins and your boss, between your grade-school mates and your spiritual group, between the gal at Starbucks and the people you know from the gym. When you come out, people will talk, and minds will be changed. And in your way you will have made the world a better place. After all, the real energy that fuels our movement comes not from Hollywood or Washington, D.C., but from Salisbury, Md.; Cheyenne, Wyo.; Victoria, Tex.--and anywhere else people tell the truth about themselves. We've had a tremendous response to our invitation to come out--or to come further out--in the pages of The Advocate, and we plan to make this a new tradition for the magazine. But for now, for October 11, National Coming Out Day 2002, these are the 62 people who have stepped forward. Will you be next? Cheryl Lee Altizer-Early AGE: 20 HOME: Roanoke, Va. OCCUPATION: Student ON COMING OUT: I am starting all over again: new school, new friends, new passion about life. I am embracing and loving myself--all of myself--like never before. I'm ready I'm Ready is the double platinum second release from R&B singer Tevin Campbell. I'm Ready yielded the biggest R&B hit of his career the #1 R&B smash "Can We Talk", and produce 3 more successful hits in "I'm Ready", "Always In My Heart" and "Don't Say Goodbye Girl". to be a part of this world. Tess Beck AGE: 53 HOME: Stratford, Conn. OCCUPATION: Children's librarian ON COMING OUT: I discovered that I am a lesbian only three years ago, when I fell madly in love with a much younger woman. The small aching longing that had always resided in my soul has flown. I know who I am, and I know that I can only be myself, because that is the only thing I will carry out of this world, my soul. Joseph Berry Joseph Berry was a first class cricketer who played 5 games for Yorkshire County Cricket Club over a span of 13 years from 1861 to 1874. He was a right handed batsman who scored 82 runs at 10.25 with a best of 30. He took 2 catches but his right arm medium pace was not called upon. AGE: 35 HOME: Philadelphia OCCUPATION: File clerk ON COMING OUT: I really appreciate the opportunity to come out and admit that I'm a gay Afro-American Christian male. I figure now is a good time to come out because I'm tired of trying to be very vague about who I am and what I'm about. I don't like being deceitful to people, especially since I've been through deacon's training class and have already been ordained or·dain tr.v. or·dained, or·dain·ing, or·dains 1. a. To invest with ministerial or priestly authority; confer holy orders on. b. To authorize as a rabbi. 2. to ministry. Scott Bonnell AGE: 21 HOME: Eugene, Ore. OCCUPATION: Student ON COMING OUT: Coming out to some of my close friends at school has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. It is the most liberating feeling one could experience, deciding that you want to be open about your homosexuality. It makes you think, "Why shouldn't I be?" Tammy Brown AGE: 34 HOME: Battle Creek Battle Creek, city (1990 pop. 53,540), Calhoun co., S Mich., at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek rivers; settled 1831, inc. as a city 1859. It is an agricultural trade center known for its cereals. , Mich. OCCUPATION: Title clerk at a car dealership This article is about car dealerships. For the indie pop band, see Dealership (band). A car dealership or vehicle local distribution is a business that sells new cars and/or used cars at the retail level, based on a dealership contract with an automaker or ON COMING OUT: I was crucified at my former church [after coming out]. People who I had grown up with began telling me that I was burning in hell with Satan. I was devastated dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. . I was lost. Then God led me to a small church in Indiana called New Life Community Church of Hope--filled with gay Christians! I can truly say that I have never been happier. I realize that the narrow-minded people who call themselves Christians are not Christlike. I know this because God loves me just as I am. Karen Burge AGE: 29 HOME: Pittsburgh OCCUPATION: Graduate student ON COMING OUT: I'm not completely out, at least not yet. I can't seem to find the courage to tell my family. Maybe seeing this and knowing the support that I, a suddenly named toe-across-the-closet-threshold lesbian, would receive from other readers of this magazine will help me find that courage. Cathy Busha AGE: 31 HOME: Tucson, Ariz. OCCUPATION: Program director, Wingspan Domestic Antiviolence Project ON COMING OUT: For four years I was an English teacher and coach in a small school district near Lancaster, Pa. During my second year of teaching, I finally came out to myself as a lesbian. I quickly realized that I could not live a "double life," so I resigned from my teaching position and headed to graduate school. I now feel so blessed to have a job I love and to be out at work. So I'd like to use this opportunity to come out to everyone I haven't come out to yet--especially all of my former students, who are now ages 20-24: I'd like to think that if I had the courage to come out to you when I was 24 and you were 14, I still would have been your favorite teacher. Tim Callaway AGE: 32 HOME: Sacramento OCCUPATION: Registered nurse ON COMING OUT: My parents know I "could" be gay (they are fundamental conservative Christians), but they think I have been "cured." As you may guess, they will not be thrilled to know I have stopped fighting my homosexual desires and instead embraced them wholeheartedly whole·heart·ed adj. Marked by unconditional commitment, unstinting devotion, or unreserved enthusiasm: wholehearted approval. whole . Maybe I'll be able to take a boyfriend home for the holidays and open some eyes in Indiana as my closet door, closed tight for so long, continues to stand wide-open. Robert J. Carter AGE: 81 HOME: Jersey City, N.J. OCCUPATION: Retired chemist; World War II veteran ON COMING OUT: I always push my friends, gay or straight, to add their names to gay and lesbian groups and to give money to them, especially at this time when illegally installed Bush is giving our tax money to dangerous religious groups, increasing their power to harm us. Shannon Cuttle AGE: 26 HOME: Detroit OCCUPATION: Pre-kindergarten teacher ON COMING OUT: One thing that I have noticed each classroom year is that diversity is more than just adding themes and props. Diversity is how we interact with each other as peers, coworkers, parents, students, allies, family, and friends. It is not just one day; it is all year. Diversity means we can celebrate each other. And today I am. Marty Dark AGE: 68 HOME: San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. OCCUPATION: Caregiver to his partner ON COMING OUT: Partly because of society's attitude toward gay people, I allowed my life to be set on the wrong course. In my heart I know that I was destined des·tine tr.v. des·tined, des·tin·ing, des·tines 1. To determine beforehand; preordain: a foolish scheme destined to fail; a film destined to become a classic. 2. to be a famous entertainer, but instead I worked in fields where I could "hide away." There is a very strong need to finally come out and state who I am so that all other gay and lesbian people will not do what I did with their lives because of society's attitude toward us. Ken DeRidder AGE: 36 HOME: Spokane, Wash. OCCUPATION: Hospital admissions specialist ON COMING OUT: I have been in a relationship with the best man ever for four years! I was married for seven years to my best [girl]friend in high school. People at work have asked if I will ever remarry remarry Verb [-ries, -rying, -ried] to marry again following a divorce or the death of one's previous spouse remarriage n Verb 1. , and I want to scream, "Hell, yeah! I got the most awesome man in Spokane, and if we could, we would get married!" Michael D. Dowdy dow·dy adj. dow·di·er, dow·di·est 1. Lacking stylishness or neatness; shabby: a dowdy gray outfit. 2. Old-fashioned; antiquated. n. pl. AGE: 44 HOME: Rolla, Mo. OCCUPATION: Nurse ON COMING OUT: I fell in[to] a deep depression dealing with societal homophobia, but I managed to put that behind me--as well as [al failed attempt at heterosexuality het·er·o·sex·u·al·i·ty n. Erotic attraction, predisposition, or sexual behavior between persons of the opposite sex. heterosexuality and marriage, in which I fathered two wonderful and sweet daughters. Today, I am in a long-term relationship with my life partner of seven years, Jesse, and I couldn't be happier! Dan Esparza AGE: 31 HOME: Sacramento OCCUPATION: Training and technical assistance specialist at the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault ON COMING OUT: Thirteen years after I left the small, dusty town of Fort Hancock Fort Hancock is the name of several places:
Greg Ewings AGE: 39 HOME: Bowie, Md. OCCUPATION: Airplane maintenance worker ON COMING OUT: After serving 20 years in the U.S. Air Force--10 of those knowing I was gay--it was time for me to get out of the military, restart my life, and find someone. When you've been in for so long, even if I wanted to come out, I wouldn't know how. Now you've given me a good way to do it. Edward William Flemming AGE: 33 HOME: Howell, N.J. OCCUPATION: Swimming pool technician ON COMING OUT: I am coming out because I feel like I'm lying to myself and to everyone I know. My family knows I'm gay, but I don't talk about it, like, "Hey, I'm gay!" And coming out will help me find new friends who know what I'm going through. Linda Fontana AGE: 51 HOME: Mine Hill, N.J. OCCUPATION: Purchasing agent Noun 1. purchasing agent - an agent who purchases goods or services for another agent - a representative who acts on behalf of other persons or organizations ON COMING OUT: The time has finally come to spread my wings and open that closet door. I got married, and after 15 years of uncertainty, I realized I could no longer live this lie. My partner, JJ, and I have [now] been together seven years. JJ has given me a lifetime of love in a short time, and she is the light of my life. I am coming out now because life is a joy and I want everyone to know. David Frick AGE: 23 HOME: Montevideo, Uruguay OCCUPATION: Student ON COMING OUT: I can't lie anymore. I had a girlfriend till last year. I broke up with her, telling her the truth. Today, almost [all] my friends know my secret, and my family have accepted me, so it wasn't so hard. Being open, I learn to be happy. Tanya Garrett AGE: 38 HOME: Victoria, Tex. OCCUPATION: Plant worker and country singer ON COMING OUT: I am now at a point in my life where I want to sing country music, by a woman, for women, regardless of what people think. I love getting to sing the [same-sex] lyrics the way we live them. I hope with now officially coming out, I can gain recognition with lesbian music listeners and no longer have to call my girlfriend my "manager." Kristopher Geda AGE: 20 HOME: Grand Blanc, Mich. OCCUPATION: Student, waiter, bartender ON COMING OUT: The more we come out, the more the populace at large will realize that we are not the aberrant aberrant /ab·er·rant/ (ah-ber´ant) (ab´ur-ant) wandering or deviating from the usual or normal course. ab·er·rant adj. 1. priests in the news, the child molesters in urban legend Myths about anything and everything that barely have a shred of truth in them, yet seem to take on a persistent life of their own. Before the Internet, such urban folklore as "alligators in New York City sewers" was carried in magazines and newspapers. , or the mincing Jacks of prime-time television. Our fellow citizens will see that we are just as "normal" as they are. Rose Greene & Helena Ruffin AGES: Rose: 55; Helena: 45 HOME: Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. OCCUPATION: Rose: Founder and owner of Rose Greene Financial Services The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. ; Helena: Founder and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of marketing and communications firm RuffinDirect ON COMING OUT: After 10 years [together] we both felt that coming out in The Advocate would enable us to share with the rest of our community how coming out is about what's right for you, when it's right for you, and how important it can be for one's growth and self-esteem. Kelly Hager AGE: 22 HOME: Salisbury, Md. OCCUPATION: Student and TV studio technician ON COMING OUT: The main reason I'm ready to come out now is that I'm tired of pretending to be someone I'm not. I don't like deliberately giving people the impression that I'm single because I say that I don't have a boyfriend. And I'm ready to start being completely honest with everyone in my life. Faith Hoffman AGE: 27 HOME: Orlando, Fla. OCCUPATION: Risk-management assistant ON COMING OUT: I am choosing this year to come out to everyone because an example needs to be set that we are like everyone else. My partner has two children from a previous relationship. Our neighbor even says that we're more normal than any family she knows! Vincent Hollister AGE: 30 HOME: Baytown, Tex. OCCUPATION: Sets up displays in new Wal-Mart stores across the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. ON COMING OUT: I am out at work--I was outed by a former coworker co·work·er or co-work·er n. One who works with another; a fellow worker. , but it has been the best thing that could have happened to me. Veronica "Ronnie" Hruby AGE: 43 HOME: Kansas City Kansas City, two adjacent cities of the same name, one (1990 pop. 149,767), seat of Wyandotte co., NE Kansas (inc. 1859), the other (1990 pop. 435,146), Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties, NW Mo. (inc. 1850). , Mo. OCCUPATION: Housing authority investigator ON COMING OUT: I choose to "go public" as part of my process in personal integrity. Andres Hurwitz AGE: 37 HOME: Los Angeles OCCUPATION: Lawyer ON COMING OUT: I just started a new job and haven't come out there yet. Hope that this may reach a few people who don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. . Pete Isgrigg AGE: 21 HOME: Pittsford, N.Y. OCCUPATION: Student ON COMING OUT: I grew up in a small suburb of Rochester, N.Y., called Pittsford. I want kids who live in Pittsfords around the world to know that the girl sitting next to you in Spanish class is just as scared of being gay as you are. In my case, that was the truth. I wish I could have said something to her; we could have helped each other so much. Jessica AGE: 14 HOME: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada ON COMING OUT: I want to come out because I want to show people that it is OK to be who you are. Hopefully, if there are other people my age who are hiding in the closet, they will see that they are not alone. Kendall Jordan AGE: 45 HOME: Hartwell, Ga. OCCUPATION: Photo lab supervisor ON COMING OUT: [I'm] tired of living a double life: I want more freedom in life, just being myself. [Also,] I am hoping to find the right guy in the near future and settle down. Eddie Keator AGE: 47 HOME: Oakland, Calif. OCCUPATION: Database programmer ON COMING OUT: Today, I am happy, healthy, [and] out to my friends, my family, and my coworkers. I live with my partner, John, and for the past 465 days I have learned that loving another man has been right for me all along. I love my life now more so because it is wholly honest now. The Reverend Cindy King AGE: 45 HOME: Arlington, Mass. OCCUPATION: Executive assistant ON COMING OUT: I'm an ordained Southern Baptist Noun 1. Southern Baptist - a member of the Southern Baptist Convention Southern Baptist Convention - an association of Southern Baptists Baptist - follower of Baptistic doctrines minister. I didn't live in a closet; I lived in a vault. My life changed drastically in 1997 when I was diagnosed with colon cancer colon cancer, cancer of any part of the colon (often called the large intestine). Colon cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. . I made a full recovery, but this brush with death taught me that I had to live for me! I'm ready to totally break free of the closet. Without the stigma associated with being gay, others will have no power over us. Louis W. Leatso Jr. AGE: 47 HOME: Ballston Spa, N.Y. OCCUPATION: Golf resort dining room captain ON COMING OUT: I came out to my parents on my 42nd birthday. [My partner] Greg is now Uncle Greg to my niece and nephew, and [my relatives] have welcomed us with open arms. I hope all young gay people won't wait as long as I did to come out to their families. You know they have a clue. Morgan D. Lerner AGE: 31 HOME: Houston OCCUPATION: High school teacher ON COMING OUT: I lost my partner, Dwight F. Hall, on Sunday, August 11. He was such a wonderful and loving person who lived his life out, while I have been partially in the closet. Dwight taught me so much, and he has given me the courage to finally swing that door wide-open and declare my love for him to the whole world and by doing so letting everyone know I am gay! T. Todd Masman AGE: 37 HOME: St. Cloud, Minn. OCCUPATION: Student activities director ON COMING OUT: I have discovered a closeness with my LGBT LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender brothers and sisters who feel the same joys and pains I do. And I have discovered a stronger faith. We need to be willing to act on our beliefs--and sometimes our heart--and to passionately take chances with life and love. Passion for what we do is the root of all that moves us. Bob McCray AGE: 21 HOME: Montclair, N.J. OCCUPATION: Student ON COMING OUT: I was hiding in that dark, dusty closet for about seven years, and I am finally free! I wish I had had the courage to reveal this secret two years ago, before my mother passed on. Caroline Elizabeth McPhail AGE: 50 HOME: Brandon, Manitoba Brandon is a city in southwestern Manitoba, Canada. The surrounding area is often referred to as "Westman". The city started as a major junction on the Canadian Pacific Railway, and the Assiniboine River and was then incorporated in 1882. , Canada OCCUPATION: Student ON COMING OUT: I want to come out so that womyn Womyn is one of a number of alternate spellings of the word "woman", which insane lesbian feminist nazi-communist bitches use to describe themselves. Commies? LET ME AT THEM Background The original meaning of the English word "man" (from Proto-Germanic mannaz who are in their 30s through 70s can know that it is never too late to come out. I was married for 22-plus years, and I met my [current] partner seven years ago this September. Hannah Morris AGE: 16 HOME: Tyler, Tex. ON COMING OUT: I have decided to come out to tell people that there really are queers my age and we do exist in Texas. But my personal message would be, "I'm Hannah Morris. I am an A student. And--oh, yeah--I'm gay!" William M. Presley AGE: 51 HOME: Jackson, Tenn. OCCUPATION: Retired USAF master sergeant ON COMING OUT: When I accepted being gay, I felt a joyful release of energy unlike anything I ever experienced in my life. I liken lik·en tr.v. lik·ened, lik·en·ing, lik·ens To see, mention, or show as similar; compare. [Middle English liknen, from like, similar; see like2 it to a symbolic death: When my old lying, cheating, cowardly self died one beautiful morning in August, I came alive. Jeff Quillan AGE: 35 HOME: Cincinnati OCCUPATION: Mortgage shipper SHIPPER. One who ships or puts goods on board of a vessel, to be carried to another place during her voyage. In general, the shipper is bound to pay for the hire of the vessel, or the freight of the goods. 1 Bouv. Inst. n. 1030. ON COMING OUT: I am just tired of changing my pronouns from "he" to "she" and hearing that it's a "choice." Also, I have denied my orientation for 20 years, and that's way too long. Rachel AGE: 14 HOME: Georgia ON COMING OUT: I go to a Christian home school co-op in a little redneck town in Georgia where I'm expected to wear dresses and skirts. I hate it, and I just want to tell every one once and for all, "Hey, I'm here, I'm queer," and I can't think of a better way to do it than The Advocate. Cheryl Ramos AGE: 35 HOME: Dearborn, Mich. OCCUPATION: Help desk manager ON COMING OUT: Now that I fully know and understand who I am, I have a better relationship with my family and friends, my work life is more fun, and I take pride in educating those who think they don't know any gay people! Eugene "Dusty" Rhodes AGE: 62 HOME: Wichita, Kan. OCCUPATION: Accountant ON COMING OUT: I have been in a committed relationship A committed relationship is an interpersonal relationship based upon a mutually agreed upon commitment to one another involving exclusivity, honesty, or some other agreed upon behavior. for nearly 20 years and have been "out" to family, friends, and coworkers for almost as long. So coming out in The Advocate is a small step--but one that I hope will lessen the bigotry, prejudice, and hypocrisy that so permeate permeate /per·me·ate/ (-at?) 1. to penetrate or pass through, as through a filter. 2. the constituents of a solution or suspension that pass through a filter. per·me·ate v. our world. Arthur Sacramento AGE: 40 HOME: Porto Alegre Porto Alegre Port and city(pop., 2005 est.: city, 1,386,900; metro. area, 3,978,263), southern Brazil. Located along the Guaíba River near the Atlantic Ocean coast, it was founded c. 1742 by immigrants from the Azores. It was first known as Porto dos Casais. , Brazil OCCUPATION: Professor, Lutheran University of Brazil ON COMING OUT: Actually I am [out], but I would like to make it official so my students would have no problems with coming out publicly as well. Most of the members of the [university's] board of directors know that I am gay, but they follow the policy "don't ask, don't tell!" which I think is not right. Carl Sannito AGE: 35 HOME: Chicago OCCUPATION: Computer science teacher ON COMING OUT: An eighth-grader came out to me just before summer break. I'm coming out so that I can become a role model for my students, especially gay kids--and to live up to the role model I have in a teenage boy. I'm coming out so I can sleep at night. I'm coming out for me. Eugene Schnitger AGE: 38 HOME: Belle Fourche Belle Fourche (bĕl f  sh), river, c.290 mi (470 km) long, rising in NE Wyo., flowing NE and then E to the Cheyenne River in W S.Dak. , S.D. OCCUPATION: Maintenance
supervisor ON COMING OUT: My mom died before I could ever work up the
courage to say these simple words: "I am gay." Now is the time
to say, "Hello, world The classic first program a programmer writes in a new programming language. It came from the C and Unix world, and all it does is display "Hello, World" on screen. The "Hello, World" example is often used as a tutorial for starting to learn a programming language, since it demonstrates ! I am gay!"
DaleLynn Sims AGE: 39 HOME: Brunswick County Brunswick County is the name of several counties in the United States:
The Reverend Robert D. Spencer AGE: 63 HOME: Cheyenne, Wyo. OCCUPATION: Episcopal priest and hospital chaplain Noun 1. hospital chaplain - a chaplain in a hospital chaplain - a clergyman ministering to some institution ON COMING OUT: The leadership of both the church and the hospital know I am gay and have not given me too much hassle. Our [hospital] policy states that no one shall be refused care due to sexual orientation sexual orientation n. The direction of one's sexual interest toward members of the same, opposite, or both sexes, especially a direction seen to be dictated by physiologic rather than sociologic forces. ; my goal is to have our human resources The fancy word for "people." The human resources department within an organization, years ago known as the "personnel department," manages the administrative aspects of the employees. department adopt the same wording for hiring practices. Chuck Standish AGE: 57 HOME: Houston OCCUPATION: Office clerk, medical claims student ON COMING OUT: No matter whom I may come in contact with, be it a family member, coworker, employer, etc., that individual is either going to have to accept me the way I am or "buzz off"! I don't need to surround myself with "negative" and homophobic "airheads." Bruce Stores AGE: 64 HOME: Oaxaca, Mexico OCCUPATION: Teacher ON COMING OUT: The reason I want to come out totally at this time is that there has never been an opportunity like this one before. The only thing better might be via a skywriter This article refers to the Jackson 5 record. For the meaning of someone who flies an aircraft to form letters of smoke in the sky, see skywriting. Skywriter could be described as a turning-point record for The Jackson 5. from an airplane. Victor Tibando AGE: 41 HOME: Angus, Ontario Angus, Ontario is located on the rivers Nottawasaga and Pine, beside CFB Borden, west of Barrie, Ontario and is 1 hour north of Toronto. Angus has a population of 7000 residents. , Canada OCCUPATION: Maintenance worker ON COMING OUT: I am a single gay father of three wonderful kids, and I am coming out 'cause I want everyone to respect gays and lesbians. And I hope to find the right guy to marry and spend the rest of my left with. Carol von Ott AGE: 57 HOME: Kansas City, Mo. OCCUPATION: Human resources director ON COMING OUT: First, I am proud to be a lesbian and am happy in my life, which is rich with family and friends. Second, I am old enough not to care what anyone thinks about my orientation. Third, I would like to send courage to any and all who are struggling with their place in the world. Seanna Williams & Kim Carey AGES: Seanna: 39; Kim: 37 HOME: Orem, Utah Orem is an incorporated town in the north-central part of the state of Utah in Utah County. It is adjacent to Provo, Lindon, and Vineyard and is about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 84,324. OCCUPATIONS: Seanna: Student; Kim: Homemaker ON COMING OUT: Seanna: In the social work graduate program, even in this day and age, there is still homophobia and ignorance among staff and students. I decided to make a stand and be true to myself and my partner. Kim: I am taking this opportunity to come out because I am who I am. I am not afraid nor ashamed! Brian Zimdars AGE: 30 HOME: Waukesha, Wis. OCCUPATION: Retail Manager ON COMING OUT: There is only one thing worse than being closeted clos·et·ed adj. Being In a state of secrecy or cautious privacy. , and that's being "partially out." Coming out was supposed to let me be who I really was. Instead it's a constant juggling game of who knows and who doesn't. This year is the year I say "It's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a " and tell the world that I will finally be true to myself. Dvoshe Walkowiak Carter AGE: 40 HOME: Glendale, Calif. OCCUPATION: Works in replenishment department, Ikea ON COMING OUT: I was out and happy back in my 20s. [Then] I made the decision to have kids with my best friend, who is a gay man and who was also out and happy. We did actually get married and have two great children: a girl, Isabelle, 13, and a boy, Nolen, 9. To many people and to the neighbors, I am sure that we may appear to be an Ozzie and Harriet Ozzie and Harriet depicting home life, American style. [TV: “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” in Terrace, I, 34–35] See : Domesticity Ozzie and Harriet series portraying the wholesome, American family. of the new millennium, with our nuclear family, but we are not what they may first think that we are. What changed my life and [made me decide] to come out [again] was coming out to the kids and being at the Dyke March Dyke March is a mostly lesbian led and inclusive gathering and protest march much like the original gay pride parades and marches. They usually occur the Friday or Saturday before LGBT Pride Parades and larger metropolitan areas have related events (parties, benefits, dances) both in San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden in June 2001 with over 60,000 of my sisters. I felt liberated upon coming out the second time--it felt as glorious as the Diana Ross song "I'm Coming Out." I won't ever be quiet, subdued sub·due tr.v. sub·dued, sub·du·ing, sub·dues 1. To conquer and subjugate; vanquish. See Synonyms at defeat. 2. To quiet or bring under control by physical force or persuasion; make tractable. 3. , or in the closet again. Can I hear an amen? David Fine & Michael DiSimoni AGE: Michael: 42; David: 43 HOMES: Michael: Stockton, N.J.; David: Hamilton, N.J. OCCUPATIONS: Michael: Information technology specialist; David: International marketing manager ON COMING OUT: Michael: I just got divorced six months ago after being married 15 years. I have three kids. I finally realized there is no reason to hide what everyone seems to know anyway. I hope my coming-out will give strength to anyone struggling with their own sexual identity--to let them know they are certainly not alone. David: I'm happy to have been an important part of the coming-out experience for Mike. Karl Frisch Karl Frisch (born February 21, 1978 in Inglewood, CA) has worked for numerous candidates and political organizations since 1996. He served as multimedia communications director and member of the renowned web-team for Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign. AGE: 24 HOME: Los Angeles OCCUPATION: Internet communications director, California Democratic Party The California Democratic Party is the local branch of the Democratic Party in the state of California. It is presently chaired by former State Senator Arthur Torres. It is the majority party in both chambers of the state Legislature, i.e. the State Assembly and the Senate. ON COMING OUT: I [have] been employed in the world of politics since I was 18. When I started coming out, I had great fear that I'd lose my job--I was still a Republican. After Senator [John] McCain lost the presidential campaign, I became active in Democratic politics. Last August, I came out to my parents. I know freedom today, and I know happiness. Coming out means so much more than telling someone that you are gay; it means freedom from the bondage of self-hatred and fear. It means empowering yourself. It means allowing yourself the opportunity to love and be loved. Maureen Kelly & Lis Maurer AGE: Maureen: 31; Lis: 38 HOME: Ithaca, N.Y. OCCUPATIONS: Maureen: Director of education and training for Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood A service mark used for an organization that provides family planning services. ; Lis: LGBT coordinator, Ithaca College The college offers a curriculum with over 100 degree programs in its five schools:
Hamp Simmons AGE: 49 HOME: Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. , Calif. OCCUPATION: Cultural affairs coordinator for the city of Santa Monica ON COMING OUT: Almost 30 years ago, when I was 18 and living in Louisiana, I wrote a letter to The Advocate. A few weeks later a teacher smiled at me in the hall and told me that I was a very brave young man and quoted a line from my letter. I practically flew to the grungy grun·gy adj. grun·gi·er, grun·gi·est Slang In a dirty, rundown, or inferior condition: grungy old jeans. [Origin unknown. little newsstand where The Advocate could be found, and there I found my name, smack-dab in the middle of the letters to the editor! Now I'm the adoptive father one who adopts the child of another, treating it as his own. See also: Father of two wonderful young men and the grandfather of the world's cutest baby. I have a house and a yard and a career and a family and all the things I was so afraid I'd never be able to get. And I'm gay. |
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