[blindlgbtpride] Fw: My Coming Out Story

[Lyn Gwizdak]

Hi Philip,
I, too was born in DEcember 1950 and have a twin - we both survived.

I will be writing my story for the newsletter for the March issue - don't really have the time to whittle my story down to no more than 600 words.

Lyn G.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Philip Rich 
  To: Rich, Philip G. ; Blind LGBT Pride 
  Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 12:51 PM
  Subject: [blindlgbtpride] Fw: My Coming Out Story


  Hi everyone,

  I thought I'd send this story to you before it appears in our newsletter. 

  All the Best,

  Phil Rich 
  Sigmund Freud taught me how to see; Carl Rogers taught me how to feel.
  518 432-6553
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Philip Rich 
  To: LavenderQ at comcast.net 
  Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2011 6:19 PM
  Subject: My Coming Out Story


  My name is Philip G. Rich. I am gay and I am totally blind.

  My intention is to tell you something of my coming out in this world.

  I was born on Dec. 17, 1950. I had a twin, Suzette, who died five days after we were born. I was 2 pounds, 7 ounces and I have retinopathy of prematurity.

  I knew I was gay or different in feeling from an early age. I am uncertain when I learned that it was called gay.

  Blind kids at the blind schools were either indifferent or unkind to me with some exceptions, and maybe this is why I choose not to take too much of an interest in blindness issues. I am however, in no way indifferent to our causes as I am on the ACB Announce list.

  I had a hard time in high school. There was no way to express who I was and I'm sure the other guys suspected I was gay. Sometimes one of them would pinch my rear and I felt hurt.

  The ability to act in school plays helped me to express myself a bit. I also started psychoanalytic therapy which gave me a new way to present myself in the world.

  I have continued with this on and off throughout my life.

  I am a Licensed Master Social Worker in the State of New York and I am glad I can get married.

  I am fully out and this happened because I  had a supervising social worker in graduate school who help me to do so. It is a joy not to be in the closet.

  The way is still uneven; while I have some sighted and one blind gay friend, I have found no life companion. I have learned to live with this by simply going about my business and allowing things to happen. This is much better than worrying.

  I have taken part in a gay disability study and I am eager to take part in another one on attraction.

  Smell, voice, and touch are ways I know I am attracted to someone. I tend to be attracted to tall guys but please know that I in no way would reject someone who was short.

  I am sure I have gone over my word limit so I will stop for the moment. I look forward to  hearing from you.

  All the Best,

  Philip (Phil) G. Rich, MSSW, LMSW,
  ACB and LGBT Pride and NASW Member

     

  Sigmund Freud taught me how to see; Carl Rogers taught me how to feel.
  518 432-6553


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