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 My Coming Out
Although I've known that I've preferred other women, since puberty hit and those "mysterious feelings" started to wreak havoc on my hormones, I never "officially" made any announcements. My family knew, my closest friends knew, but I didn't wear any "I'm a lesbian" tee shirts or seek out pride parades. So the people at my workplace may have wondered, but were never actually provided with any confirmation of my homosexuality. It's not that I was ever embarrassed or ashamed. But it's really none of their business. If I didn't want co-workers to know how much money I made, why would I want them to know who I was mentally undressing!
When I finally did come out at work, it was unintentionally. It happened because an openly homosexual work friend of mine threw a party, and a lot of the younger staff, including me, were invited.
The party consisted of a good mix of lesbian, gay, probably bi, and straight people, and it quickly became clear to which category I belonged. I was there to have fun, and I decided to be myself. At the time, I wasn't afraid of any "consequences" with my coming out in front of co-workers, but when Monday morning rolled around, I was wiping the sweat from my brow as I entered the door to the office.
My boss always seemed the "old fashioned", "traditional" type. What would he think? Would the co-workers with whom I spent the most time chatting be shocked?
I entered the office:hmmm:no turned heads, no whispering, nothing out of the ordinary so far. So I went to my desk, poured myself a cup of coffee, and did all the other "usual" things:still nothing.
Honestly, I think the most "phobic" person in the room was me! I was terrified of reaction, and no one else seemed to give it a second thought!
I worked for years at that job, with those people and we established an extremely comfortable, friendly working environment. I left on wonderful terms. My boss even offered me a new package if I'd stay on longer! Sometimes, people will surprise you in the greatest ways!
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