Re: LGBTQ+ |OT| The plus stands for everything

By Joeytj Go To PostMy sexual identity was actually my second worry, next to my identity as a geek for a lot of my life lol.

I've always felt very lucky that I never had to feel vexed over my sexual identity. I grew up on a lot of LGBTQ "friendly" media (Hedwig, Rocky Horror, Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, Utena, etc...). Not even adding the fact that lesbian/bi/pan people are treated differently from gay/bi/pan people. But like you, I struggled with my geek/nerd identity. Didn't really stop until my early 20s.

By chrmilou Go To PostI've always felt very lucky that I never had to feel vexed over my sexual identity. I grew up on a lot of LGBTQ "friendly" media (Hedwig, Rocky Horror, Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, Utena, etc…). Not even adding the fact that lesbian/bi/pan people are treated differently from gay/bi/pan people. But like you, I struggled with my geek/nerd identity. Didn't really stop until my early 20s.

Yeah, and I don't mean to say that it "shouldn't matter" or that I don't care that I'm gay, far from it. Queer studies, sexuality and other related issues are one of my top interest, but I remember having to hide a lot of the stuff that I loved in general, not just my same sex attraction, which wasn't a worry until after puberty and until I came out. I love movie soundtracks, classical music, videogame music and even stuff like national anthems, history of music, fictional universes, combining all that with politics, history, etc., it all was "weird" to most people.

To their credit, my parents always supported me and never doubted that what I really wanted for Christmas was the Star Trek Encyclopedia or atlases and books about astronomy and science..

By Joeytj Go To PostYeah, and I don't mean to say that it "shouldn't matter" or that I don't care that I'm gay, far from it.

If it seemed like I implied that you meant that, sorry.

By Joeytj Go To PostI love movie soundtracks, classical music, videogame music and even stuff like national anthems, history of music, fictional universes, combining all that with politics, history, etc., it all was "weird" to most people.

To their credit, my parents always supported me and never doubted that what I really wanted for Christmas was the Star Trek Encyclopedia or atlases and books about astronomy and science..

I completely understand and have a similar experience. From a very young age, I've been in love with music and what some would deem as "high art". Classical music, ballet, opera, etc. Most kids have their go to cartoon that they watch constantly. While I did watch cartoons, I watched Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals as much as I watched Totoro. I'd put on films with Nino Rota's music just to hear the soundtrack. Never had anybody to share that with growing up, so I kept it to myself. The few times it was brought up, I was also called weird or people would say "why do you want to watch/listen to this boring stuff". To this day, I get called an "old white woman" for my tastes. But like you, I was lucky enough to have supportive parents (who also didn't discriminate against my sexuality).

Edit: not to mention having those interests and being a PoC and some people having the mindset of doing or liking something (and talking a certain way) is for white people only.

By chrmilou Go To PostIf it seemed like I implied that you meant that, sorry.




I completely understand and have a similar experience. From a very young age, I've been in love with music and what some would deem as "high art". Classical music, ballet, opera, etc. Most kids have their go to cartoon that they watch constantly. While I did watch cartoons, I watched Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals as much as I watched Totoro. I'd put on films with Nino Rota's music just to hear the soundtrack. Never had anybody to share that with growing up, so I kept it to myself. The few times it was brought up, I was also called weird or people would say "why do you want to watch/listen to this boring stuff". To this day, I get called an "old white woman" for my tastes. But like you, I was lucky enough to have supportive parents (who also didn't discriminate against my sexuality).

Edit: not to mention having those interests and being a PoC and some people having the mindset of doing or liking something (and talking a certain way) is for white people only.

You sound like me, lol. As a black boy who was attracted to boys, played the violin, listened to classical music, didn't like sports, had 'nerdy' interests, and didn't believe in God, I was a complete and utter outcast in most facets of society. I've been on a long road to acceptance, but I couldn't be more thrilled with who I am now.

By brainchild Go To PostYou sound like me, lol. As a black boy who was attracted to boys, played the violin, listened to classical music, didn't like sports, had 'nerdy' interests, and didn't believe in God, I was a complete and utter outcast in most facets of society. I've been on a long road to acceptance, but I couldn't be more thrilled with who I am now.

Yeah, I also grew up not believing in God. Coming from cultures that are usually heavily religious (Hispanic and Haitian/Black), I kept it a secret and pretended until 9th grade. But like you, I love who I am now and am so happy I've learned to accept myself.
I'm glad most people like us come to accept themselves in adulthood and it makes me happy to connect with people who have had similar experiences.