Interested in being in a Video Story? Just let me know and we’ll set up a time and place to meet.
Watch all the IFD Video Stories here.
Being from South Carolina, I always felt that there’s not one thing that’s not connected or in some way influenced by someone’s religious beliefs which most are Christian, southern Baptist fundamentalists – really, really conservative. So when I came to New York the thought of having gay friends, a gay job, just being in gay social circles wasn’t a priority and I found myself in the exact same position as I was in South Carolina: the only gay in a sea of straight people – which was fine. And I felt like I was having the perfect time in New York but the more time went on I did feel like there was something missing and I wasn’t living up to what I should.
After I changed careers to now being a journalist and writing for newspapers and magazines and also for Out.com and The Advocate being able to immerse myself in a gay industry it totally, totally opened up things for me as far as professionally and with friends but really professionally once I really got behind that I could actually be in a gay industry and enjoy it and be a part of a community the caliber of people that I’ve met that are gay entrepreneurs, gay activists, gay politicians…seeing that on a daily basis and having them be my friends or even acquaintances, it’s a great inspiration and they continue to inspire me. It’s great to be a part of it. It’s definitely helped dating as well.
When I first came out, I always told myself I would never have a job that was strictly “gay.” But, like you, after immersing myself in the “gay industry”, I’ve met some amazing people and now tell myself I’ll never work in the “straight industry”, ha.
Nice Hedwig and the Angry Inch tattoo XD
Interesting look at small town life in SC. It sounds like it hasn’t changed much at all since my childhood in the 60s and 70s. This is a great story and I’m glad you’re finding your way in NYC.