Part 2: Showing myself
To read PART 1: BEING SEEN , click here When I recounted those two scenarios to a friend, who is straight, she was in equal parts astonished and appalled. “In circumstances with which I am familiar,” she said, “the mention of a spouse or partner would divert the conversation to a bit of social chit chat about that person, possibly the relationship, their work, potentially children — and then the main conversational track would be resumed.” Of course. This is what is understood to be normal, but that didn’t happen in these cases with me. Nor does it happen often. And I’m mostly fine with that. (But why doesn’t it happen? Now that’s an interesting question to ponder…) I came into (out to) my sexuality in early adulthood and now, in my mid-to-older adulthood, I am confident within myself about who I am. Outside of myself, I have come to be skilled at avoiding personal pronouns in conversations until I trust the person and feel they’re safe. Maybe I am the only person I am fo...