Coming Out meme - Part 1

OK! I'll jump on the latest meme bandwagon.

But in writing my answers I wanted to go more into the story a bit. I didn't want to make this a very long post so I'll split it up.

Name: Jim
Country: Dallas, TX, United States
Age: 49

How old were you when you first realized you were gay? 8 years old. I always knew there was something different about me but could never figure out what it was exactly. Then when I was 8 years old I was baptized into the Mormon church by my father. (Mormons baptize by immersion). The church only had a small changing room and I was taking my time changing my clothes because a friend was baptized the same night and I wanted to stay in there to watch his dad undress. Dad pulled me out of there just as my friend's dad was about to drop trou. "Damn it!" LOL

Do you have more gay friends or straight friends? It's about even, but I'd say I have more straight friends.

Biggest turn on? A bubble butt!

Biggest turn off? Young hairless twinks!

Ever been harassed due to your orientation? All through junior high and high school I was teased about being gay. Here's how it all started: Our small town had a swimming pool in the high school and we often went swimming for gym class. Some of the guys thought I was staring at them, but I claimed I was just daydreaming. They teased and bullied me for the next 5 or 6 years! People who would act like my friend when we were alone or in a small group, but would turn on me when more people were around. I could never trust if someone was really a friend or if they were just caught up in a mob mentality. There were some main tormentors that I hated. If I saw them today I would not acknowledge them if we were to meet again.

Have you ever been surprised at the reaction of people who know you are gay? After high school; no, never been surprised. I expected the worst from people and finally didn't care what people thought of me. Everyone one that I've come out to (excluding my family) told me that they loved me anyway, it didn't matter to them.

What is the worst gay stereotype? The news media shows gay men as effeminate, that we are into drag or very promiscuous.

Are you a stereotype? No, I don't fit into any type; I'm not a bear or a cub (and who even knows what an otter is?). I'm not a Muscle Mary or a gym rat. I'm not into fashion or sports. I'm just me.

Part 2 coming out tomorrow.