Join Our Community!
Share
Relationships > GLBT Relationships Forum > Probably another ignorant question from a straight guy
User Profile
Q: Probably another ignorant question from a straight guy
asked by: Mikolas on June 24th, 2008
Active User, very eHealthy
Hi there, some of you guys may know me, I moderate the fitness/men/nutrition section and this is pretty much my first time checking this particular forum out.

I've always been interested with different mindsets, different personalities/characteristics and the experiences that caused a particular person to end up that way. I've only ever really interacted with gays since I started college, so I'm sorry to say you guys are something of a intriguing interviewee to me in terms of opening up a new perspective of thoughts =P

Anyway, my reason for writing this was a question that's been ticking for some time. Sure I could do some research, but I prefer to hear it out of the original source then some article.

There are many beliefs out there (I'm not talking about scientific fact or research, just what people seem to believe), that genes is one possibility that determines homosexuality. Some believe they are just born this way, as straights are born that way, but that would then imply genes may have something to do with it. Others seem to have the belief that a gay person just suddenly becomes attracted to his/her own gender one day. Etc, etc.

I can't conceive that a person, for instance a male, suddenly feels attracted to other males (when he never has before) one day, and from then forth is gay. I felt a gay person always knew to some extent that he or she was, but may have rejected/suppressed it.

If possible, could you share your story of how you came to realize that you were gay? Thanks for any stories in advanced, I'd like to learn more and be less ignorant about the minds and life of my peers.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Replies(9)
User Profile
homerx
replied on June 25th, 2008
Moderator
Well, you know me sort of and I have always been gay. Never did I have a revelation or anything. I was born gay, have always been gay. Kinsey 6. I have never had sex with a woman and never had a fantasy or anything about women.. I am not fem or hyper masculine, just an average Joe. I lean towards the belief that i was born this way...heck, I know I was. I hope other GLBT people respond to this thread,it would be interesting to hear there stories. respect
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
marvel
replied on June 25th, 2008
Supporter
Oddly enough, I remember in 8th and 9th grade, most specifically, having the craziest die-hard crushes on girls, but, at the same time, having similar feelings for guys as well.

I think that attraction is a combination of many things and to deduce it to strictly just genes or strictly to how one was raised (which is what pro and anti homosexual groups use to explain homosexuality respectively) is simplifying waaaa to much. It's a combination of first experiences, genetics, how you were raised, the environment you were raised in. All of these meld together to create unique people all over the world. Thankfully many of these unique people are gay. For some reason, I just think that if homosexuality was purely genetic, it would be much more common than it is now.

In any case, I came out about three years ago. I had been in denial for awhile. I tried dating women, but I was never sexually interested in them. I'd want to be around them a lot... it was almost like a crush but without any sexual interest. I know that's hard for a straight man to understand, but I think homerx, you'd get it.

I ended up telling everyone I knew that I was gay. For the most part, everyone's been very understanding... to the point of where they don't care if I'm gay. Which I like. It shouldn't be such a big deal.

In any case, we can't fully understand why some men are attracted to skinny blonde women with big boobs and why some men are attracted to voluptuous brunettes, just as we can't fully understand why some men are attracted to green eyed, dark haired men with nice bums (aka my boyfriend hahahah).
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
JYoungBear
replied on July 2nd, 2008
Experienced User
I can remember actually having a girlfriend back in the 8th grade. And somehow I thought I was into her. When I was 15, I started thinking more about guys. I had crushes on teachers, mainly. I suppressed the feelings and thoughts entirely until I got out on my own. When I was 20, I had my second girlfriend, then the third (and final) at 25. All along, I knew I was attracted to guys - I found some websites that were gay dating sites (actually where I met my first boyfriend, the two guys I dated, and my current boyfriend). When I first got out on my own, I was having more bisexual tendencies, so I guess it's safe to say I wasn't sure what I wanted at the time.

I became friends with a gay couple that lived in my complex, and I loved hanging out with them. They loved the fact that I accepted them as a gay couple. Unfortunately, I lost touch with them, and I know they parted ways a few years ago. I still see one of them online, as their screen name is on my AOL IM list.

Anyways, at the age of 29, one night I decided to try and make some contacts. At first, I was anxious, and my anxiety was running more rampant as I met some rather weird guys, who had really no clue how to get to me - they just wanted sex. I then met my first boyfriend, who showed me more about myself, and helped me to accept that I am truly gay. Since then, I've dated three guys, one being my current boyfriend.

As for my own situation, I have come out in small steps. There are still people from my hometown that don't know, including my parents, and I'm still very on the fence about coming out to them. It is just more of the way I can predict that they will react, and in my current situation, I have no emotional strength to endure that. Maybe one day...

I think back to why I dated the girls that I did. It was more peer pressure. Growing up in the town that I did, it was more blue collar, old-fashioned. There was hardly any GLBT members around, and if they were, they were harassed. I remember a lesbian couple in my high school that got constant harassment because they decided to come out one day. If anything, that made me shut the closet door and lock it from the inside.

That's my story.
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
motherofhighspiritedones
replied on August 8th, 2008
Supporter
Marvel and Homerx...two of my fav men sharing their stories! And you JYoungBear....wow these stories are so sweet. Makes me believe even more that we are who and what we are when we are born. You both have given me such strength and faith in the human race. sunny
Did you find this post useful?
|
Users who thank motherofhighspiritedones for this post: homerx 
User Profile
Beline
replied on August 8th, 2008
Supporter
That’s bringing up a very good point. I’m friends with Homer and Marvel. Youngbear? Whazza matta with you, boy? Why aren’t we friend yet? Shame on you!
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
motherofhighspiritedones
replied on August 8th, 2008
Supporter
Beline, you know I love you already. But it never hurts to say it again Very Happy
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
Beline
replied on August 8th, 2008
Supporter
Okay! Now you’ve done it! You are going on my friends list! See what you’ve made me do now! (Better add Marvel too, hey? Shh! I forgot. Shame on me!!)
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
homerx
replied on August 8th, 2008
Moderator
motherofhighspiritedones and Beline... stop it already! You are making me P my jammies!!!! Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing and i added you both to my list LONG ago...well, Beline is family...and motherofhighspiritedones I just discovered and LOVE already...
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
motherofhighspiritedones
replied on August 8th, 2008
Supporter
Awww....you are making me blush. sunny
Did you find this post useful?
|
Users who thank motherofhighspiritedones for this post: homerx 
Quick Reply
Search