wa143@sdcatta.UUCP (11/29/83)
Its rather interesting seeing such newsgroups as this come into being. It allows the public discussion of viewpoints that those Gays who have not "come out" yet to see and contribute to. I first came out on the Gay public bulletin board systems around the country. (like Lambda in Berkeley and Midwest in St. Louis) BBS's such as those gave me the chance to communicate with other gays in a non-threatening environment. I used to call them up to harass the faggots and leave antagonistic messages for 'them' to decry. It wasn't too long until I met one in person whom I had harassed incessantly. We've been lovers ever since. For me, bearbaiting was a step in coming out. Although it makes it difficult for others to see beyond the anger, I know I'm not the only one who had to go through that phase in coming to terms with myself. I saw 'cruising' in my pre-history days and was rather shocked by it all. What I recall was the impression that it was necessary to wear Black leather and tight Levi's in order to be attractive, either that or Pink alligator shirts with Purple pants. Neither of which I find interesting or appealing. Its the Gay computer bulletin boards and network newsgroups such as this that made it possible for me to see what was really going on in the world. Todd Arensen sdcsvax!sdchema!bang!todd decvax!sdchema!bang!todd