[nervezapper]

I first came here last year when I finally started coming out to myself. The only people I came out to were people on chat boards, no one in my real 3-d life. Life happens and I shoved myself back into the closet. I tried to become un-gay, but as we all know that does not work.

I am taking classes to become an ordained interfaith minister and it was an assignment that got to me (in a good way) and now I am releasing myself from my self imposed prison. I have come out a few people and participated in the Mankato pride festival last weekend (it was dedicated to Jacob Reitan and his family).

I have a long way to go in coming out. The ones I worry about the most are my blood family. I come from an independant fundamental baptist tradition (the pastor was friends with Jerry Falwell and James Dobson was a little too liberal). My mom and one brother are still deep in it and my other brother is career military, not exactly a gay friendly mix. My mom even protested in support for the Minnesota Defense of Marriage Act. My dad died 16 years ago.

I am so happy to be living in the age of the internet and in a smallish but largely GLBT friendly town.