With all of the talk coming out of Florida about “Don’t Say Gay,” I simply have to speak up.

I Say Gay.

I grew up in a very sheltered environment in a very sheltered town. I wasn’t exposed to anything anywhere really until I went to college and started meeting people from other parts of the country and other countries in the world. So I grew up not knowing anything about the world and the people in it. So as a result, I followed a very scripted version of who I thought I was supposed to be which led me to a very unhappy place. Once I figured it out, I re-routed my life to bring me happiness. I’m one of the lucky ones who was able to figure myself out, once I got into the world and saw the world and it’s possibilities. But that wasn’t until I was well into my thirties.

So for me to hear that we shouldn’t talk of such things and be open about such things just simply takes us backwards. Backwards to a very lonely and potentially dangerous place. I say that in general, in any situation, not necessarily the specifics of the Florida bill … but of all the conversation that has come out of it.

When people are able to be open about who they are and are able to see themselves represented and embraced then that hopefully helps to put them on a pathway of happiness. When denied that, then they may likely be denied the ability to figure themselves out and to determine what makes them happy.

So I Say Gay. I wrote a book (“Out and About Dad”) about my journey of coming out, raising kids, and maneuvering life as a gay man. A single divorced gay father who ultimately found love and happiness. I want everyone to find that too.

It’s ironic in that when I wrote my book I almost didn’t publish it. Partly because I was a little afraid to publish it and partly because I wasn’t sure if it would be relevant. Sadly, we need it more now then the few years back when I did release it. We need to talk about these things. We need to share our stories so others can find strength in writing theirs.

We need to Say Gay or what ever it is that makes you you.

I Say Gay. What’s your experience? JIM

I shared my story, so please share yours!