Sep 24, 2012 6:29 AM GMT
I began to truly realize I was gay when I was 19. A couple of months before my 20th birthday (this previous July) I met my boyfriend in Las Vegas (I live in Alabama) and truly started coming to terms with who I was.
First know this: I live in the Bible Belt here in the U.S. You hear all sorts of stories of racist, homophobic people in Alabama, and I'm sure a lot of them are true. My town's population rests at about 13,000 but feels so much smaller to me as I work in Wal-Mart and see the same customers every week (not counting seeing them at the gas station, movie theater, town events, ect). The point I'm trying to make is people are going to find out your business, and go out of their way to spread it to others.
I've worked at Wal-Mart for 2 years and have really enjoyed it. I was recognized early for being a kind worker (had many customers call the store manager via the receipt and give compliments) and a hard worker (I was quickly promoted to a Cashier Manager and Department Manager at 19). I met some really awesome friends and got along with almost everyone in the store.
Not until recently have I been open and casual about my sexuality. I first started off by telling my closest friends, family, and then friends at work. I was very nervous at first but the response has been overwhelmingly great so far!
Anyway, as I have become more open at work the responses have usually been the same: "You're GAY? Really? I would have just never have guessed because you don't act like it." I usually take the time right then and their to clear up common mis-conceptions about a gay guy. I can count all the gay guys who are open in this town on my finger, and they all have more feminine attitude. Let me start off by saying THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, but that's typically how people generalize us it seems. My co-workers see me and are a bit puzzled. They don't understand why I don't fit into the typical gay stereotype and often question if I'm really gay or not. I really love it because I can explain to them why it's not a choice, I'm not doing it for attention, and I still love people no matter sexual orientation they are and they should too :-)
Sorry, I think I'm ranting a little, but word has gotten out at work and some people who I didn't really care to find out did. It's not because I'm scared of who I am anymore, it's just that some people simply don't understand and it's like catching wind in a net to get them seeing from your perspective. I have gotten two guys who said they "don't want to deal with my queer talk" but are quickly coming around as they see I'm a normal, happy, guy who just happens to like other guys.
In the end, I'm just pretty happy with things. I'm showing many people across my town that things aren't always as they seem, and people don't just come in one color (especially gay people with the rainbow symbol and all
). I've opened and changed many people's perspectives about gay people, and it's never made me happier. My goal was never to change anyone's mind, but rather to accept me. However, I've made new friends in the process and have gained overwhelming support from the unlikeliest of people.
I hear people say that one person can't change anything. I hope one day people stop living with that mindset and start LIVING. One person can change many things, even if it seems small int he grand scheme of things. I hope one day I'm a living example of that and I won't stop until I am. You shouldn't either.
Thanks for reading,
Josh
First know this: I live in the Bible Belt here in the U.S. You hear all sorts of stories of racist, homophobic people in Alabama, and I'm sure a lot of them are true. My town's population rests at about 13,000 but feels so much smaller to me as I work in Wal-Mart and see the same customers every week (not counting seeing them at the gas station, movie theater, town events, ect). The point I'm trying to make is people are going to find out your business, and go out of their way to spread it to others.
I've worked at Wal-Mart for 2 years and have really enjoyed it. I was recognized early for being a kind worker (had many customers call the store manager via the receipt and give compliments) and a hard worker (I was quickly promoted to a Cashier Manager and Department Manager at 19). I met some really awesome friends and got along with almost everyone in the store.
Not until recently have I been open and casual about my sexuality. I first started off by telling my closest friends, family, and then friends at work. I was very nervous at first but the response has been overwhelmingly great so far!
Anyway, as I have become more open at work the responses have usually been the same: "You're GAY? Really? I would have just never have guessed because you don't act like it." I usually take the time right then and their to clear up common mis-conceptions about a gay guy. I can count all the gay guys who are open in this town on my finger, and they all have more feminine attitude. Let me start off by saying THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, but that's typically how people generalize us it seems. My co-workers see me and are a bit puzzled. They don't understand why I don't fit into the typical gay stereotype and often question if I'm really gay or not. I really love it because I can explain to them why it's not a choice, I'm not doing it for attention, and I still love people no matter sexual orientation they are and they should too :-)
Sorry, I think I'm ranting a little, but word has gotten out at work and some people who I didn't really care to find out did. It's not because I'm scared of who I am anymore, it's just that some people simply don't understand and it's like catching wind in a net to get them seeing from your perspective. I have gotten two guys who said they "don't want to deal with my queer talk" but are quickly coming around as they see I'm a normal, happy, guy who just happens to like other guys.
In the end, I'm just pretty happy with things. I'm showing many people across my town that things aren't always as they seem, and people don't just come in one color (especially gay people with the rainbow symbol and all
). I've opened and changed many people's perspectives about gay people, and it's never made me happier. My goal was never to change anyone's mind, but rather to accept me. However, I've made new friends in the process and have gained overwhelming support from the unlikeliest of people.I hear people say that one person can't change anything. I hope one day people stop living with that mindset and start LIVING. One person can change many things, even if it seems small int he grand scheme of things. I hope one day I'm a living example of that and I won't stop until I am. You shouldn't either.
Thanks for reading,
Josh
