Poll of sorts

Just thought I'd put something out there so we can get to know each other a little better. I'll go first. At what age did you realize you were gay/lesbian? I knew something was different with me as early as age 11, but I didn't realize I was a lesbian until I was 19. Are you out to friends and family? yes Are you out at work/school? yes, I'm out at work When did you come out? 1994 Are you partnered? yes How long? 15 years If partnered, how does your SO feel about WLS? I think she's ok with it only because she knows I want it so badly. I think she's afraid that it is too risky. Who's next? Rachelle

Hi, Rachelle. We do a smiliar thing on the Texas Message Board. It's called the QOTD (Questions of the Day). It has really helped us get to know each other and it adds a bit of fun to the day. So, I'll play. At what age did you realize you were gay/lesbian? I came out officially at the age of 14. But I remember having a girlfriend in the 2nd grade. Her name was Wendy and I carried her books to school. Cute, huh? Are you out to friends and family? I am VERY out with my friends and family. Are you out at work/school? I am out at school (and work, when I have a job), as well. I just don't have time to play games. I don't want to invest a lot in a relationship with someone, only to find out later that they are homophobic. When did you come out? I came out at the tender age of 14, around 1980ish. Are you partnered? Yes. How long? My partner and I have been together for 16 years. We have a 7 year old daughter, a dog, a cat, and several aquariums full of various tropical fish. If partnered, how does your SO feel about WLS? My partner and I both had WLS about 2 years ago. Fun. Let's do it again. XOXOXO, Sharyn

At what age did you realize you were gay/lesbian? I knew when I was about 12 that I liked being in the company of girls then women now. Are you out to friends and family? yes Are you out at work/school? yes, I'm out at work When did you come out? 2001 Are you partnered? yes How long? 10 years If partnered, how does your SO feel about WLS? My partner was soo supportive of WLS, she is sooo happy that I had the surgery she is my soulmate. I am so happy that I have her in my life. We did take about the risk involved with the surgery but she knows that I was miserable, when I was 431 pounds. She is so proud of me at all my accomplishment with the wls. These were some good questions.

At what age did you realize you were gay/lesbian? That is a tough question for me to answer really, because coming out to myself was a very very long process. I had attractions to girls when I was in elementary school and had a huge crush on Linda Carter (of tv's Wonder Woman fame) but as I got older and learned that these feelings were "wrong", I really suppressed them. I was even married for a while in my mid-20's. I finally started to really accept myself at the age of 28 or 29. Are you out to friends and family? Friends yes, family no. I think my family has a clue but it is a don't ask don't tell situation with them. Are you out at work/school? Yes, but not because I came out on purpose to anyone there. I was at one time the President of the GLBT Student Union at University of Toledo and we had a demonstration on campus for Coming Out Day. Of course, guess who shows up on campus? None other than one of the local tv news crews. And as the president of the organization sponsoring the event, I was obliged to talk to them. Next day one of the women I worked with said, "hey Rhonda, I saw you on the news last night." She was cool with it, but of course it wasn't long until everyone knew. I haven't had any issues about it so far. When did you come out? 1992 Are you partnered? yes How long? 8 years If partnered, how does your SO feel about WLS? Since everyone here knows my partner, Erin, I'm sure you know that she is very supportive of me having the surgery, since she had it herself about 4 months before I did.

At what age did you realize you were gay/lesbian? I have always known but came out when i was 19yo Are you out to friends and family? yes Are you out at work/school? yes When did you come out? 1989 Are you partnered? yes How long? 6 years If partnered, how does your SO feel about WLS? She is supportive but I know that it scares her .

At what age did you realize you were gay/lesbian? I was oblivious to the fact that I was a lesbian until I was in my 20s. I never dated a man/boy, but thought I would someday, well I was wrong Are you out to friends and family? yes Are you out at work/school? yes, I'm out at school...since I just started a job, i am not out yet, but I do not like keeping my mouth shut about myself so that will probably change When did you come out? 1995 Are you partnered? yes How long? 8 years If partnered, how does your SO feel about WLS? Well Rhonda kind of answered the same way I would. She had surgery 4 months after I did and she has been a doll from the beginning of my process. We do some things differently so she does have to deal with some things

At what age did you realize you were gay/lesbian? Didn't know there was a name for it but knew I was attracted to boys/men at 5 or 6. Are you out to friends and family? yes Are you out at work/school? Yes. I work for an LGBTQQI Counseling Center where non-LGBTQQI employees are the exception (and have to disclose to clients if they are not LGBTQQI) When did you come out? 1978 Are you partnered? not at the moment How long? n/a If partnered, how does your SO feel about WLS? n/a

At what age did you realize you were gay/lesbian? I was always confused as hell. Starting having sex with other guys at age 15. Had sex with a woman the first time when I was 23, then all of the confusion began. Oy. Are you out to friends and family? yes Are you out at work/school? Yes, at both. I'm out at work. I'm also out at school. I teach a college class. I wish I had out professors when I was an undergrad. I do feel adult gays have a duty to be role models for our gay your. When did you come out? all the way out in 2004 Are you partnered? yes How long? 2 years If partnered, how does your SO feel about WLS? He also had WLS. He had mucho complications and claims he'd never do it again. Considering he was hospitalized for 90+ days and almost died, I can't say I blame him for his reservations.

At what age did you realize you were gay/lesbian? ~ When I was 15 I just thought I was attracted to both sexes but after I had sex with female when I was 16, I knew I was a lesbian. Are you out to friends and family? ~ YES Are you out at work/school? ~Yes, Both work and school When did you come out? ~ 10 1/2 years ago with most people except my family. I finally told them 7 years ago. Are you partnered? ~ Yes How long? ~ 6 years If partnered, how does your SO feel about WLS? ~ At first she was againist it because of the risk so I had to tell her exactly how I was feeling and she said, "Whatever you wanna do, I'm 100% behind you." She has been nothing but supportive of me. Great questions! Kay

At what age did you realize you were gay/lesbian? I told my mother I was gay when I was 18. However, I didn't come out until I was 29. Are you out to friends and family? Definitely! Are you out at work/school? Definitely! When did you come out? 1995 Are you partnered? Yes How long? We've been legally married two years; been together for three. If partnered, how does your SO feel about WLS? She supports me 100%. She's lost 26 lbs. herself through diet and exercise!