Coming out is like a box of chocolates…

Coming out is like a box of chocolates … you never know what you are going to get. This variation of Forrest Gumps observation on life is so true when it comes to coming out of the closet. As a bisexual who is pretty much invisible in day to day life my coming out is an ongoing process. I am never quite done. I don’t run around introducing myself to people I meet “Hi I’m Mark and I am a bisexual” but at some point part of living my life authentically requires that I become visible. The reasons I need to be out are varied and are enough for their own article but it includes being a role model to make it easier for the next person, it is to show the rest of the world we are normal everyday people and we are everywhere. My favorite reason for being out and visible is the “you?” ” Me too!” or ” I understand.”

My life as a bisexual is not about sex, it is about part of my core identity, I am simply looking for acceptance as the person I really am in a world that for too long has said people like me are not acceptable human beings. Anyway coming out is something that has become part of my daily life. Sharing this part of me has yet to result in anything bad but reactions are all over the place from joy and the occasional “me too” to “and you are telling me this why?”. When I get the later it makes me wonder why I come out at all, then I have an experience where I get the shared joy. Someone who understands how momentous it is to have the self acceptance to live life as the person I am. Occasionally Ill get a friend that has heard it before from others in their life and I get to add to their lengthening list of people they care about who are gay,lesbian,bisexual or transgender. It is those aha moments that make it all worthwhile. It is so cool to no longer have to wonder will you still like me if you knew who I really am. So I will keep sharing and I hope the people I share with will continue to smile and share in my joy. Like a box of chocolates coming out is virtually always good.

Posted at livingfabulous.org on May 18, 2011 by Mark Posted here 2/2/21