Coming Out in North Potomac, MD

By David Sharrocks

I came out during my freshman year of high school. The first batch of people I told happened to be gay or bisexual.

I was invincible, apparently.

Then as more and more people found out I began to notice that I was being treated a little different. People were skiddish at first and not sure how to handle the situation. Boys began to shy away after the thought of my developing a crush on them entered their heads.

And, of course, I did develop crushes. I was a teenager after all. This made finding friends who were boys a little more difficult, so, per tradition, I stuck to my estrogen filled circle of friends.

As high school continued it became less-and-less an issue. I was met with nothing but respect and camaraderie. I even started the schools first Gay-Straight Alliance with my close (and straight) friend. Later that year I came out to my parents who, after a short battle with their conscience and “disappointment,” became incredibly supportive in more ways then I expected.

Embarrassing as it may have been, my mom even escorted me to my first Youth Pride Day in D.C. We met a drag queen named Cookie Buffet. That was amazing.

The summer before my senior year of high school I came out to my older brother during a 9-hour car trip. What compelled me to do it in the 4th hour of the trip is beyond me, but he responded with nothing but support. Later that summer he had college friends visiting and mentioned to me, “Don’t worry, I already told them you’re gay.”

...Necessary? Of course not. But the fact that he felt comfortable enough to share that information with his friends meant a lot to me. My family rocks.

This year I am celebrating my 9th year out of the closet, and it’s still a refreshing place to be.