by Jonathan Cudd

What is does it mean to be gay? Too many people imagine being gay as the stereotypical effeminate guy with a really great sense of fashion. Well, I am gay and am nothing like that. My fashion taste consists of worn-out shirts and cargo shorts. I know nothing about makeup and my voice isn’t a high pitched voice. If you saw me walk down the hall, you wouldn’t think twice about my sexual orientation. So you tell me, what does it mean to be “gay?”

Coming out is hard. Figuring out how you will say it is really stressful. I rehearsed how I was going to do it a million times and still got choked up. You don’t know how people will react, and you constantly play different scenarios in your head—some bad, some good. However, when you finally tell that first person, no matter the reaction, you can feel the stress lift off your shoulders. It is a moment you will never forget. I came out on Christmas Eve of 2012 first to my friend, and then to my parents. After that, I started telling more people. The more I told, the more support I got. However, I still don’t go around telling everyone. If they ask, then I tell them, but that’s it. Now, I have been incredibly lucky to have family and friends that support me. Not everyone can come out so easily. If you plan to come out, make sure you truly know you are safe from any harm. Don’t feel the pressure and assume you have to come out. Come out when you are ready. I was ready and now I am truly happy.