LGBT
In reply to the discussion: What was High School like for you. [View all]Bohunk68
(1,364 posts)Went to live with my mother and her "new" husband in '52. Pretty soon he and I had a relationship going. I was small for my age and got picked on a lot by all the other boys who were establishing pecking order. Was always the last one chosen for athletic events. Always knew I was different and liked males. Became good friends with my "cousin" who was a year younger and lived across the street. We used to go hicking and would masturbate and have frottage. But, when I turned 16, my step-father stopped relations with me and told me it was time for females. Went to go further with my cousin and he never spoke to me again. So my last two years of high school were very lonely. I was one of the smart kids in class, but because of our economic conditions was not ever really accepted, merely tolerated. I went into the Navy after I graduated, and wow, it was like heaven with all the beautiful guys and all the sex that was readily available. However, one guy reported our relationship and I got an Undesirable Discharge. That really messed up my employment situation for years. Became open about who I was. Moved around a bit, had a couple of 5 year relationships and then met my soulmate and we moved to his hometown in rural Upstate NY. His funeral was on what would have been our 27th anniversary. The church was packed. A few months later, I had a young man come up to me and tell me how glad he was that we were there and out. It made life easier for him. That's what it's all about. I was the first openly gay deacon in the ELCA in Upstate NY and just last year, a rural congregation called an openly gay man to be their pastor. He brought along his partner. Wow!! We just called a new pastor and the first question put to him was what was his attitude about gay people that he would have a gay deacon. He ansered correctly and his first Sunday is coming the 5th. We've already had great conversations. I am still out in the community, volunteering for Lutheran Disaster Resources and am point person for the Schoharie Valley flooding from Hurricanes Irene and Lee last summer. I also am on the Senior Citizens Council and have started a late career in theater.