Skater Brian Boitano comes out as third gay member of U.S. Sochi delegation

[dickthegrouch]

11. For all those utterly isolated

Growing up, I lived in a village of 600 people and went to a school with 400 boys between the ages of 11 and 18. I was the only gay person I knew. There was plenty of evidence of other gay people from the lists of people accused and/or convicted of "gross indecency" in the newspaper every Monday. I had no-one to talk to, no-one to look up to and no-one to advise me. I contemplated suicide twice and ran away from home once. Knowing someone else was actually prepared to be public with their homosexuality would have been of inestimable benefit to my formative years.

I first met a self-assured gay man when I was 19. Even though I started the Student Gay Society three months later, it was more of a shock tactic to force myself to comfort than a political statement. I remained the only out gay person in my school of 60% engineers until I graduated, although I am heartened that the GaySoc still exists there some 30 years later.

It is crucial that people in isolated communities have someone to be able to look up to. Putin is busily isolating every gay person in Russia. Having out prominent Gays such as Elton John, Ian McKellen, Brian Boitano, Billie Jean King and many more standing up to this foolishness is going to be of great comfort to many who are afraid to speak for themselves. Knowing you aren't the only one is the first stage to self-actualization. Forming or joining a support group is the second for many.

When one is marginalized and hated, even in one's own family sometimes, for what is the most natural thing in the world to you, is devastating and confusing. Knowing others are around who feel the same way can be life-saving.