Growing up gay

When I was growing up:

I chased this one girl around the table in our kindergarten classroom. I wanted to pretend she was the bride and I was the groom.

When I was growing up:

I hated wearing dresses. My mother tried and tried to entice me to, but I was more than willing to hold my breath until I turned blue.

When I was growing up:

Playing "Karate woman" out on the playground at recess was my favorite game. Showing the boys I could conquer them with a chop and a kick was my claim to fame.

When I was growing up:

My mother got very ill, around the age of 12, and died. My brother teased me at how, like a girl, I cried.

When I was growing up:

I realized there was nothing wrong with crying over a loss. I was a girl, never wanted to be anything else and at that moment I did my most growing up, even if at a cost.

When I was growing up:

I was a girl who crushed on other girls which I promptly proved by falling in love with my best friend and her every single move.

When I was growing up:

In high school, I took a beating, but I was out with pride, I didn't ever try to hide the person I was deep down inside.

When I was growing up:

There wasn't much representation on movies and television. When Ellen stood up and shouted out "I'm Gay" it caused society some division. Finally the big dark secret of Uncle John or Cousin Sally had to be addressed, and I was among the family to stand up too, and tell them I'm gay just like you.

When I got old:

I still got my heart broken many more times. I dived into my poetry, making the most of my rhymes.

So yeah, I'm gay, have been 60 plus years. It was never really the problem in my life and rarely the reason for my "girl like" tears.

Overall, now in 2024 it's really no big issue anymore. No reason to rage, no reason to fight. To be honest, nowadays, I'm more concerned about what's for dinner tonight.