Gary
I am a father, and a grandfather, and I am gay. My children, my granddaughter and my family are the most important things in my life.
I grew up with a father who was a Pentecostal preacher. I knew that I was gay from puberty but certainly could not tell my family or anyone around me. I tried to deny it to myself. It was only after getting married and having children that I had to face that I was gay. The depression from denying who I was became too great.
I now live my life as an openly gay man. For many years I have worked to make life better for young gay people. In 1992 I helped start GLASS, the first LGBT support group for teenagers in Greensboro. In 1997 I helped start a GLSEN chapter (Gay Lesbian and Strait Education Network) in Greensboro and in 2005 helped to start GSAFE (Gay Straight Advocates for Education) in Greensboro.
I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to have worked at Replacements, Ltd. for the last 16 years. I have the luxury of not worrying about losing my job because I am gay. As Assistant VP of Community Affairs I am afforded the opportunity to work as an openly gay man in various organizations in our community.
I am proud of the tremendous changes I have seen in the last 20 years regarding how the LGBT community is accepted in Greensboro. I remember the days when we were mostly invisible, afraid to be public, sometimes feared for our safety and felt like an outsider.
I am truly grateful for what Greensboro is today.
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