A whole new world

I dont know what made me think about how it was when I was younger today. Growing up gay that is. Dusan and I swear that the youth of today are so much camper due to the fact that they have never hidden their sexuality. The world has changed so much in just the last ten years. At least in this country. I am gratefull every day that we live in a country where Homosexuality is not only legal but recognised in law. There are sadly 77 countries in the world where being gay could result in a jail sentence, beating or even at worse execution. God bless them.

I was thinking back as to when did I first start using Gaydar? When was it that I first realised that I was not the only one but mearly a splash in the gay ocean. I can remember, months before I came out I used to go and see a sort of therapist. His name was David and he lived off the Caledonian road, near Kings Cross. He wasnt a real specialist but was something to do with helping people with rebirthing. My friend Daniel had reccommended him.


I met him for a consultation and went back for about 6 weeks running discussing my sexuality, coming out and the problems it entales.


Back then, and I am talking about 1998, not that long ago, when David suggested that in order to meet other like minded men I should write a personal's add and send it to one of the publications. Maybe Gay Times or something like that. Six short weeks I saw David, the conclusion being that I ended up going along to the London Coming Out group, Turning Point, where on week one I met my first boyfriend and well, as Mark (Lavern) says, I didnt come out but burst out of the closet so fast that the doors are still off the hinge.

We didnt have the luxury of the internet. You couldnt chat online to other gay men. Tyhe only way you could meet other gay men was to go to either a gay bar in soho or Earls Court of maybe a club like Heaven or G-A-Y.

It just seems so much easier now, they have it all quite litterally at their finger tips where as we had to venture out to Soho or perhaps the Heath.

I wouldnt trade my time for the world though. I have my wonderful husband and a great home and loving family. I dont envy the kids who had it all, for the world has changed just as dramatically. It seems not a day passes when you turn on the television and hear of another teenager or younger stabbed to death over a dissagreement. The children have no respect and the world seems a lot more crazy. I Cant say it wasnt crazy back when I was a child, I mean we had men chasing ghosts (Ghostbusters), Alien beings that cant eat after midnight (Gremlins) and a flying car that could go back and forward in time. Not forgetting a manequin that came to life.
It was what in my mind will always be known as the right time to grow up. Post Cold war, pre the break down of society and values and pro fabulous.