northie

Yes. In my case, even if I'd had the emotional / sexual self-knowledge, there was no general language then to describe who I am.

I imagine that'll be the case for a lot of people. Then certainly, and now, to a lesser extent. Knowledge doesn't automatically equal happiness.

Thanks for reading!

Like last week...

To come out is to make a personal declaration. Maybe you’ll enlighten only yourself. Maybe it’ll become general news. Or, perhaps, you’ll choose to tell a select few friends or family. Whatever happens, many queer people see coming out as their chance to live an authentic life. That it’s still a thing says a lot about the societies in which we live. Why should sexual orientation or gender identity be so defining? Is one set of characteristics really so much better than any other?

The internet can change your life in so many ways. Here's how GA helped change mine.

Yep. ✔✔ Not many down and rather more to go.

Hmm... 🤨

If I ever were to be converted to Westerns, it would surely be one of yours, Gary. 😉😄 I love how you're immediately pulled into the time and place without the hint of an infodump. And the dialogue! It sounds natural, yet has enough idiosyncrasies to again make the historical period and location real. That in historical writing is really tricky. I know - I've tried it. Thank you for this snapshot of life on the border. Real, optimistic, sweet, and another contribution to queering the past.

👍👍👍👍😄 (and not a comma in sight)

Anthos are a great time for experimenting. I enjoyed your podcast transcription. There are so many other stories hidden within that short tale. If you skim-read it (like I did the first time), it comes across as a sweet joint history. Take more time, and all the questions jump out. I'm no baker. Or even a great cake eater. Let's hope someone gives your recipe a whirl. 😉😄

Given being at ease with myself is a comparatively recent phenomenon, I wholeheartedly agree you, Val. Grow old (dis)gracefully as you choose. 🤨😄

@Carlos Hazday v @Mrsgnomie

Congratulations! We all have our reasons to be grateful to GA, Myr, and the admins, writers, and readers here. I sure as hell know mine.

Fun, though I found some of the questions too vague or you had to guess which 'community' they wanted you to think about. 9 (peacemaker) and 5 (investigator) with smaller peaks at 4 (individualist) and 8 (challenger)

This is the story of your unique pain. It is also a pain shared by so many individuals over the years whom circumstances have forced to travel down unwanted paths. Thank you, Gary, for both these poems. For the personal journeys now shared.

Anniversaries can be times for reflection, giving thanks, and perhaps, heaving a sigh of relief. They can also be an opportunity for baring your soul. Thank you, Gary, for having the courage to let us into this episode of your life. To escape an abusive relationship needs a special kind of courage, I think. I'm glad you're out the other side and living your life as you want it.

Plenty of mine aren't. They should take you to wherever they take you. Queer rights (particularly trans rights) are being challenged here in the UK. That's nothing though compared to the situation in the US. America is the playground of religious zealots. Religious zealots with money, influence, and power well beyond their acceptance in wider US society. Unchallenged gerrymandering, voter suppression, and alternative 'facts' look to be a great way of creating a pseudo-Christian, fascist plutocracy. Rights will suffer. Women's rights are already a lottery. Who's next? Thanks for this piece, Bill, even though I can't help. It's a warning that needs repeating. The overturning of Roe v Wade seems to have galvanised women voters. Let's hope this shock propels Congress to codify everything that's just been left to hang on the assumption the Supreme Court could never turn bad.

Yes, genuinely. As if an underpinning has suddenly been removed. Can't say I'm a monarchist but nobody should fault a long life given in service. She only received the outgoing and incoming UK prime ministers two days ago. It's going to be so weird thinking and saying 'King'.

I'm glad my very, very last minute CNF essay will bump up the numbers. Here's to 20 or more!

The CNF piece I discarded in favour of the story I submitted, is still hanging around. I've started to get it down, since it won't go away otherwise. 🙄 Will I make the deadline? Who knows. 🤷‍♂️ The whole thing might end up being discarded. Or not making the minimum word limit. Watch this space...

I agree with @Carlos Hazday. I always enjoy books where this is employed well. There can be so many interpretations, motivations, and of course, viewing what results. Not something I've tried. Yet. Another thing to add to the list...

It seems to be a half-way house. I've had it twice today. It's been part of trouble since the start. The site hasn't fallen over yet today. Myr's patches are working mostly.

Err... 👀😬 I don't think so.

Thank you both for your vigilance. I appreciate it. We all should.