Personal Stories
On these pages you'll read coming out stories of the lives of real people from the greater Fox Valley. It’s an age-old question: Should you tell someone you're gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered? Or in other words Should you come out of the closet? How do you come of of the
closet? Chances are (since most of us have been there!) that you've felt forced to keep your sexual orientation secret from others. We’re devoting space to share some coming out stories. We'd like to hear your stories. How did you "come out"? Let us know. Send a few lines or a couple of paragraphs to articles@pvinc.org . Include as much of your name and locale as you feel comfortable revealing: i.e., "Ralph -- Antigo" or "B.D. -- Kewaunee County." We'll post replies to this question on this page. Posted 10/11/03
John Olski -- Door County At work, the YMCA Board of Directors disbanded after a morning meeting. A passing coworker said she didn't know why anyone would devote volunteer time to dull meetings. I offered that meetings wouldn't be dull if one believed in the organization, a point with which another coworker agreed. I then remembered having seen the second coworker's photo in the local paper, in conjunction with an organization for which she is a board member. She looked surprised when I
mentioned it, but was pleased to explain the organization to the first woman. Only then did it occur to me that I also serve on a board of directors. I mentioned this, and both of my coworkers looked surprised, like grade-schoolers encountering a teacher in the supermarket and realizing that he also has to shop. I said that the organization is Positive Voice and added that it serves gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgendered people in Northeast Wisconsin. The following silence was a moment of hesitation that occurs when coming out: people are taught that "gay" is controversial, and they don't want to say the wrong thing. I helped out by adding that it isn't easy to find resources and meet people in a rural area, to which the first coworker replied "Isn't that true." If
I didn't say "I'm gay," I think I suggested it. At the very least, I revealed myself to be more than just a desk clerk, because I support GLBT people. | 
