How many of your former middle or high school classmates were you surprised to find out they’ve come out since graduation ? I know of 8 girls and 7 boys and one teacher that I’ve know have come out as gay or bi in the last 20 years.
I am the only one that I know of (I graduated 40 years ago). I despised my school years and have only stayed in touch with a few people (by now only one of them) so there may be others (statistically there must be as my graduating class numbered nearly 400). As far as them being surprised or understanding, all of my family and people who were in the church that my family forced me to attend acted shocked and refused to accept me while everyone who I knew outside of that circle said something a lot like "oooohhhh, now it all makes sense".
Kevin..... For me it hasn't been so much my classmates as it has been celebrities. I would see someone on TV and think; "They have to be gay!" So I saw Randy Harrison in "Queer as Folk" and thought; "he has to be gay", and he was! I saw Colton Haynes In "Teen Wolf" and thought; He has to be gay, and he was! I saw the Carver Twins also on Teen Wolf and thought, "they have to be gay" and one of them was! I saw David Archuleta on "America's Got Talent and thought; "He's got to be gay" and he is! When I am traveling I often will see someone and without even thinking much about it I will suddenly think..."he's gay". Of course I have no way of knowing and I don't go and ask them but I guess my gaydar really does work at least some of the time! .....David
I think I was surprised most by myself. In that once I came out how quickly I adjusted to living life as a gay man. The intense internalized homophobia, the doubt, the unwarranted fears all just faded away. I was shocked how comfortable I became finally having a boyfriend and being open about it.
Honestly - the friends from school that I’m still in touch with know my situation. The others aren’t relevant. Mostly they have been accepting and those who haven’t are being blanked. Friendship is important so make the most of what you have. The rest can be ignored.
