jrc@ritcv.UUCP (James R. Carbin) (05/02/85)
I have been out of the closet for just over three years. All of my friends,
all of my colleagues at work, most of my neighbors, and many of my students
know that I am gay. The reception to this fact has been unbelievably great.
However, like most of us, I don't wear a sandwich-board around proclaiming the
fact.
Last night on the local Public TV Auction, the local Gay Alliance donated
a package which included a year's membership dues plus several other itmes.
Well I thought to myself, that's a great way to demonstrate that gay's are
also responsible members of the community. Well, then; why not bid
on the package with an overbid (bid more than then item was worth) to show
that their was value in the membership, but also the local Public TV station
would benefit too. When I called, I told them specifically three times
not to announce my name and address. "No problem," I was told.
Well you guessed it; the #$&*@ of an announcer not only reads my name but
makes a big deal about the overbid. I might as well have taken out an ad
in the local newspaper! The TV station had several people call to apologize,
but what was done was done. At first, I just sat looking at the TV saying
to myself, "Why did I bother!" And then I finally said, "What the hell,
what's done been done, and so what! If someone can't accept it, well that
is their problem."
Anyway, thought I'd share this with the net. (Somehow I don't feel quite
so naked (no pun intended) on the net as I did last night.) Maybe this is
worth a good laugh, or if feel otherwise, shed a tear or two.
as ever,
j.r. {allegra,seismo}!rochester!ritcv!jrc
p.s. Isn't it really a shame that with all of the advances that we have made
in the last few years, my initial reaction to the announcement is, "Oh boy,
isn't that just great!"