When I SHOULD have known:
- Bookmarking male nude images in our family encyclopedia in the 1950s, and ignoring the females
- I used to style my younger sister's hair in the '50s with her toy makeup kit
- Getting erections in the school shower when I saw the other guys naked in the early 60s and throughout high school
- In 1966 I redecorated my parent's house while they were away on a cruise, using up-lighting (I didn't even know the term back then, thought I was being original), puddled drapes, other lighting effects, glitter and sparkle
- Putting myself on the International Male catalog mailing list in the 1970s, and jerking off to the images in them (especially those in thongs)
- Starting to buy Playgirl magazines about the same time. (My method was so "suave" -- I'd buy a Playboy or a Penthouse, too, then tell the store clerk one was for me, the PG for my "girlfriend." Back home I'd toss out the Playboy and jerk off to the Playgirl)
When I DID finally know:
A gay guy online in the 1990s told me that gay & straight stereotypes are wrong. Gays aren't all cross-dressing sissies, and tough guys aren't all straight. A gay guy can be an Army soldier, ride motorcycles, and love to hunt, fish & camp... OPPPSSS!!!