New to this

I've read and followed the forum on and off for a few months now, and I'm really heartened by the sense of community. I've decided to take the plunge and actually join the community, rather than watch from the sidelines.

I'm 26, but long in accepting that I'm gay (although it's always been something that, in retrospect, I should have know). Partly this delay is because, growing up in a conservative Catholic family (whom I love very much and, with the very large exception of still being closeted, am otherwise close to), it never seemed like an "option". "Of course" I wasn't gay - I dated a girl during college. Thankfully (for both our sakes), she broke it off because I seemed too withdrawn and distant. During graduate school I mostly avoided the subject of my sexuality, mostly because I hadn't yet accepted who I am. I've been out of school for two years now, working full time, and still mostly closeted. The only exception is one of my closest friends from graduate school, whom I told last year around Christmas time in an email (she's out of state, and usually avoids talking on the phone, though we both send about weekly, rambling emails to each other). We had discussed political issues like DADT and the Washington DC Archdiocese's decision to eliminate health care plans for its new hires so as not to give any benefits to same sex couples, so I knew that she was, broadly, supportive. Still, it was a risk, because agreement on political matters does not always mean support in a personal sense, and, being the caring, sensitive friend that I knew her to be, she immediately did show her support.

Anyway, what had begun as a quick introductory post, has turned into a long and rambling post (as one of my teachers admonished me: "don't write as if you're getting paid by the word"), so I'll shut up now. Other than to say thank you, already, for being here.

 

Thanks everyone for making me feel so welcome - I'm glad to be here!