[mychael_black]

Amen to every word.

At this point, I'm just me. There really aren't any labels to fit me, anyway. LOL So...*shrugs* I'm just my queer self. LOL

[mychael_black]

Love that quote; it certainly makes a hell of a lot of sense.

Thanks, hun. It's just that fear of rejection (especially from your own community) that has always kept me from taking that first step.

And when I DO take that step...I promise to tell y'all how it went.

[creechy]

i agree. you are who you are, no-ona can tell you otherwise... and tbh id expect the gay community to at least be more accepting and to not have a problem with you in a gay bar.

[mychael_black]

*nods* That would be my hope, but in general, TG/TS/Omni folks aren't quite as accepted as one would hope.

I really need to give the bars a shot, though, if only for story fodder later...
_________________
"There is but one temple in the universe and that is the body of man."
~ Novalis, German Lyric Poet, 1772 - 1801 ~
***
http://www.mychaelblack.com
http://mychael-black2.livejournal.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theprinces...

[bardohio]

[quote="kay_derwydd"]
And when I DO take that step...I promise to tell y'all how it went.

Tell me, Hell - I want the video!!!
_________________
"Lift ev'ry voice and Sing, 'till Earth and Heaven ring..."
- James Rosamund Johnson

[mychael_black]

ROFLMFAO!

Okay...where did you find that smiley??
_________________
"There is but one temple in the universe and that is the body of man."
~ Novalis, German Lyric Poet, 1772 - 1801 ~
***
http://www.mychaelblack.com
http://mychael-black2.livejournal.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theprinces...

[AndrewMCO]

Kay:

I've been thinking about this a lot over the past couple of days, to the point that I asked a couple of my friends who actually frequent some of the nicer bars here in Orlando.

They all agreed with me that the virtue of being with people (no matter how they are) with like interests and like minds makes for a successful adventure. I personally don't get out much, so I'm no authority, but if I ever ran into you in a local watering hole, I'd be drawn to you, at first out of curiosity (and I admit that honestly) but also because in a crowd, I'm always the guy that feels it incumbent to draw in the "wall flowers" of the group and engage them. That's just who I am.

Aside from the fact that I don't know much about your "world," (and wish I did, to be candid), I suspect, having read your many posts, etc., that you have a lot to offer ANY group, but particularly a bunch of decent gay men, to be sure.

What has always surprised me about gay men in general is that there's something genetic about being gay that also requires a higher level of tolerance and sympathy than the ordinary bloke. I have always believed that it had something to do with the fact that we are, ourselves, a group of minority people, and because we've experienced some of what you fear might happen, we are sensitive to it. I know for me personally, that has always been true. I didn't, for example, ask or expect to be gay, it just IS. I'm not unhappy about it anymore, I embrace it, but there was a long period of time when I wanted the house, the dog, the wife, and the white picket fence just like a lot of people.

But I realized somewhere along the way that my differences were actually valid, and good for the world in general, because the frame through which I see life is slightly askew, slightly different, and lends itself by nature to a different approach to some of life's most simple pleasures.

I think you're extraordinarily courageous to be who you are so publicly here and on your own sites, and in short (I know... WAY too late...) I'd gladly sidle up beside you, buy you a drink, and talk your ear off until you told me to go away.

Andrew
_________________
Andrew

"No other course, no other way, no day but TODAY."

[mychael_black]

Andrew,

I've read your post several times, and despite my profession, the most eloquent I can get is a soul-deep thank you. Actually, the first time I read your post, it brought tears to my eyes. That doesn't happen often.

I can't begin to express how I feel after reading your (and everyone else's) responses. I've struggled (inwardly) for a long while, wanting desperately to be a welcome part of the community I feel like I belong in.

I realize now that maybe I was a part of that community all along.

Thank you.
_________________
"There is but one temple in the universe and that is the body of man."
~ Novalis, German Lyric Poet, 1772 - 1801 ~
***
http://www.mychaelblack.com
http://mychael-black2.livejournal.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theprinces...

[bardohio]

[mychael_black]

[AndrewMCO]

... aw shucks. I say this, on the eve of "passing the torch," so to speak, THANK YOU all for your kind reviews and comments, and for making ME feel so welcome here.

Kay, you touched me with your response, and I, too, am at a loss for words.

Let me say this, however. I've struggled for a long, long time to find a place in a community, and a place where my voice is relevant and welcome. I finally feel that way here on Sticky Pen, and I've actually dis-membered myself from some other "popular" gay sites because I want to focus my attention on this group of sincere, caring people. I want to get to know you all (to the point that you want to be known, at any rate), and I want to relish the great feelings I've gotten from interacting with all of you. It's a far, far better use of my time than some of the other sites, period.

So, Kay, yeah, this is definitely a good place to be. Definitely.

Love ya all!!

Andrew
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Andrew

"No other course, no other way, no day but TODAY."

[crusen2]

As I sit here reading all of the posts on this subject { and I am not a writer like a few of you here so please bear with me in my writing}, I have to fall back on something I was taught when I was very young. My father was in the service and we would travel all over the world with him and {both my parents were from europe and had come to America as children} we would meet so many different people and cultures that they sat us down ( me and my brothers) and told us not to look at someone for being different just because they were different color or dressed different or talked different or acted different, treat people as people period no matter what, so I have always felt that labels were stupid (ie gay bi lesbian TS/TG/CD} we are all people and whatever or whomever you feel comfortable, then be with them as yourself and stop worrying about labels there just words that do not mean anything.
I have many friends whom enjoy the company of men and women including myself and we just have a great time without worrying about anything. So Kay enjoy being with whomever makes you happy and don't worry about labels.

[AndrewMCO]

I have to say, you're more of a writer than you think. You shared your thoughts eloquently, and I agree with all of them!

Andrew
_________________
Andrew

"No other course, no other way, no day but TODAY."

[mychael_black]

Crusen: I completely agree with you, AND with Andrew: You are indeed a writer.

Andrew: Thank you. So very much.

To ALL of you: Love ya!

(Now it's bedtime...and then in the morning, I gotta get my incubus to jerk off in his shower before sending him on his merry way back to the brothers who fucked with his head... Don't ask.)
_________________
"There is but one temple in the universe and that is the body of man."
~ Novalis, German Lyric Poet, 1772 - 1801 ~
***
http://www.mychaelblack.com
http://mychael-black2.livejournal.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theprinces...

[dhamphere90]

Crusen: I have to agree with Andrew, and Mychael. You are a writer, of a type few people are willing to be. You write what you feel, acceptance of it be damned. AS do most people here.

Andrew: I know this is probably weird place to request this, but could you please read a few of my stories and comment on them? I'd like the opinion of someone as good at writing as you are.

Mychael: I kinda know what you're going through, although the way I describe me comes off as schizophrenic. In my head, there are two different personalities, but not two separate people. One is decidedly male, and the other is my feminine side. Who I am on the outside depends very much on which of them is more dominant at the time. They are both evident in how I act, but Stephanie (yes I've "named" them) tend to be smothered. I know what you are going through to an extent because there are many times when I have been called a liar, a gay guy in denial, and the like. You are different, but I abhor anyone who tries to say that makes you an outcast. So what if you don't fit the "normal" of whatever community you proclaim yourself as part of. I sure as heck don't fit in. I'm a "kid" who has always been feminine, labeled as gay before I knew, and now I have the whole "two different interpritations on every responce and two different sets of feelings that surge out of nowhere" thing going on. You have it tougher in some respects becasue you are in the adult community as well as the GLBT one, but let me ask you this, "Would you willingly go back to High school and Freshman year of college?"

(I'm sorry, all of my posts tend to turn into rants because you guys are the only ones I can be completely open with. I should just open my own Forum thing as "Come listen to me be sorry for myself as I try and help you with your hardships". I really am sorry, and feel your pain.)