The Bo Show

I’M COMING OUT! - BO’s STORY

(Audio and Comment Below)

Coming out of the closet and saying you’re gay isn’t easy for anyone. But, it’s something all of us are going to have to do, or else it will eat us alive. Truly that’s what it felt like for me.

I remember so many nights lying in bed wondering if I would ever have the courage (the balls) to really be the guy I wanted to be. I remember lying in bed thinking about a day when a guy would be next to me. I even gave him a pretend name – Jason. I would think about this “boyfriend” Jason and how great it would feel to hug him, kiss him… maybe do some other things with him. But, it was all make believe until I would decide to become an “out” gay man.

It took many years for me to deal with being gay on the inside. So many times I wanted to just up and go to a gay bar and see what the fuss was about. But, I knew deep down inside I would NEVER even dare go to Stallions, my town’s gay bar. I wasn’t ready to be gay on the outside.

Finally, I decided the day had come. I was 25 and ready to be me. I was ready to come out of the closet! You get a chance to hear me chat with my friend Michael, the very first person I ever came out to. Granted I took the easy way out and said I was bi, but it was only moments until I wanted to go on a date with his friend Doug.

All I have to say is, the moment I came out of the closet and said “I’m gay,” my life changed for the best. I mean it! Everything started to fall into place. I came out the night before my big NYC interview. I was up until at least midnight, knowing I had to be in New York on 45th and Third by 1:00. My friend listened to me, then joined me on that ride to the big city. The city that would eventually become the stomping ground for this newly out gay man.

I got the job! But, I must say… it happened because I decided to put my life into place. I decided to be me. I didn’t feel any more pressure. I didn’t feel the need to be something I wasn’t. I was me. It’s damn scary being who you are. But, as I was riding back to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania from Manhattan (the day I landed the job), I kept listening to a song. The song had a lyric that meant something to me. It still does, “Black Eyes, Blue Tears,” by Shania Twain. The lyric goes, “I’d rather die standing, than live on my knees… begging please.”

I was standing for the first time in my life. If you’re already “out” please stand next to me. If you’re thinking about coming out, I’ll be here standing tall and waiting for you to join!