I Don't Know Anyone Who is Gay

"I know gay people exist but there sure aren't any around here." As more and more gay people have the courage to share the truth about themselves with their families, friends and co-workers the number of people who believe that they don't know any gay people is diminishing. But there are many places in America where people will tell you they've never met any of those homosexuals before. Gay people have always existed and will always exist. They've been in every family, they've worked in every type of job, and they've played every professional sport there is. They live in the smallest of towns and the biggest of cities. Because they've been harassed just for being who they are they've be come expert at being invisible. If you think you've never known a gay person, think a little harder. What about your elderly spinster aunt who never married, how about your nephew who is 26 and never had a girl friend? What about the waiter at your favorite restaurant, the florist on the corner, or the woman who delivers your mail, one of them could be gay. The odds are someone in your life is gay but has never shared it with you. If you are still certain that you don't know any gay people, then ask yourself why not? Is there something about you that makes someone who is gay uncomfortable with sharing that part of him or her. If you would be disapproving, hostile or extremely uncomfortable around someone you know is gay, then it is no wonder all your gay acquaintances remain in the closet. Hold fast to belief that you don't know anyone gay and sure enough no one gay will come out to you. You do however run the risk of never really knowing important people in your life. More than a few parents have learned that their son or daughter was gay only after their child's death. Here is the new belief, if you have the courage to accept it: Everyone knows someone who is gay.