Happy National Coming Out Day, Wallingford. As has been my habit since I began the coming out process in Texas back in 1992, I took stock of my relationships this week to identify who I might come out to today. But there’s a problem. For the first time, there is no one to come out to. Not one soul.
Well, okay. In the interest of complete honesty there IS one person I could come out to, but I have decided it’s better for her if I don’t. “JB” has severe Down Syndrome and would be seriously confused if I came out to her. Besides, then she would have to stop sending notes to my wife (aka “roommate”) to add to my fictional Match.com profile so I can find a husband. I’ll paraphrase: ‘Chris likes politics, pizza, photography, picnics, and playing piano. Bad at dancing, singing and math. Thinks she’s funny. You: must like Chris’ roommate and cats.’
Back to National Coming Out Day.
Instead of coming out today, I’d like to thank the Wallingford area businesses and neighbors who treat me like they treat everyone else. Who believe my family is just as valid as theirs. Who think of my money as “money” and not “gay money.” Who treat my partner and I with respect because we’re people, not because their own politics require that they “give” the gays our equality. Who don’t raise an eyebrow if we hold hands, but smile instead.
Thank you to every one of you. It’s good to be home here in Wallingford.
I’d like to specifically thank:
- Varsity Inn (who are eager to host our anniversary dinner!)
- Bartell’s pharmacists
- Viola Gay, OD
- Curtis Ono, OD
- Sunny Kim, DDS
- Bedrooms and More
- WallyPets
- Wells Fargo
- Irwin’s
- Solsticio
- Essential Baking
- Changes (Back in the day, some boy bars thought girls were “icky.” Not Changes!)
- Iron Bull
- Wallyhood
- Little Wallydude’s mom
- Institute for Systems Biology
- Our landlords, Cornell & Associates
- Our apartment manager, Keely
- Every single person who voted for R-71 last year. Did you know you made history?
Today is a happy National Coming Out Day indeed.
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You’re having your anniversary dinner at the Varsity Inn? That’s hardcore Wallingfordism.
I have to agree, Wallingford rocks for inclusiveness and I’m happy to be part of such a community. Everyone who knows our family in the south Wallingford area have never blinked or treated our family any different than any other regardless of our family structure.
The Varsity Inn and Joule are dollar for dollar the best values in dubtown. Opposite ends of the economic scale to be sure, but hard to go wrong at either. Changes also doesn’t mind straight people. I was in there last night for my karaoke fix. Viola is rad but my insurance doesn’t cover her. Gay, straight or in between it is nice to live in a city where people aren’t obsessed with how others use their genetalia.
Also, bored Wallyhood writers, Seif and Rachel of Joule are opening a new place by Brouwers in Fremont. Sounds like a bar / restaurant deal. I know quite a bit more but I’m not sure they want details revealed at this stage of the game. Also something about dumplings. Tell them Flash says hi.
I must also express my great pleasure in living in such a diverse, welcoming neighborhood on this National Coming Out Day! Gotta love Wallyhood!
I agree with Flash. I remember when my brother came out to the other 4 of us kids. He was really funny with it and we all had a great time dancing away the night in the “gay” nightclub. I miss him.
Yay Wallingford!