One of the joys about being gay is that on occasion, you have to provide a bit of 'gay education' to curious minds, and patiently answer all their pressing questions. For most gay people, there are some common questions which you just know are coming, while some questions are borderline bizarre. So let me divulge a bit of information and answer two of the most common questions I am always asked.

So when did you know?
There's a difference between 'knowing' and 'realizing' that you're gay. I technically knew I was different when I was about 4 years old - I would love to sneak into my sister's wardrobe and pick something off the hanger and slip into it seconds later. I would climb into her heels, put on a gigantic pair of sunglasses, and sashay around the room like I was a big celebrity. Her clip-on earrings were my favorite, and one time I nearly went out of the house with them still on! Of course, my sister never really appreciated my drag shows - many an hour was spent with her screaming "Mooom - he's wearing my dress again!" Of course, I only realized I was gay when I was in my early teens, and actually found out the meaning of the word. I used to wonder why I would watch the other boys playing football while I sat on the sidelines and sang various TV theme tunes to myself (Charles in Charge being my favorite). Growing up I always knew I was different - I could sing better than any boy in my class, and hit ridiculously high notes. I was a champion at jump-rope, and could turn a tissue paper into a carnation in under three minutes. But as I entered my senior year, I found myself losing the flamboyance and bounce which governed my youth. It was almost as if a part of me closed up and went into hiding. My senior years were spent burying my books in my studies, and not daring to swish or sashay down the corridors. It was only when I was in college that my liberation came, and though I was often ridiculed for being so comfortable about my sexuality, I met some people who would follow me years after my graduation.

How can you be gay when you're Catholic?
Religion played a very important part in my growing years. Of course, we would all attend Sunday service at 7pm, attend Cathecism on Friday mornings (9am!) and sing in the choir. Life was just one Gospel song after another really. But putting today into perspective, I've grown to look past all the Bible-waving lunatics that are in the world, who love to quote the Bible and preach about how all gays are going to burn in hell. Well the way I see it, if God is all loving as the Bible says, then He loves me just the way I am. And if I really am going to be burning in hell, well then I'll be the one handing out pamphlets.

I'd like to end this post with another video post to a song that is actually quite an old Gospel song, but one that I heard a wonderful version of in Sister Act 2. It's the song Oh Happy Day, and this particular version is sung by an all-Indian choir (I think) and they did a pretty great job. Enjoy!



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