October 5, 2011

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 in the USA (October 12 in The United Kingdom) is National Coming Out Day (NCOD).
This is an internationally observed civil awareness day for coming out & discussion about gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender people (LGBT) & asexuals.
It is observed by members of the LGBT communities & their supporters (often referred to as allies) on October 11 every year or October 12 in the United Kingdom.
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When I was in college, I started to explore the LGBT world. I went to a club called the Gay 90′s on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis.
This place looked like Vegas Casino
Huge flashing Marquee announcing itself
I was very tipsy (felt I needed that to prepare myself)
I wandered in, nervous as hell.
The place is made up of various rooms, a leather bar, a dance club, a Drag Queen performance space, a cowboy Bar and a Go Go lounge.
Basically a Gay Mall.
I had a girlfriend at the time, which certainly weighed heavy on my mind.
Nothing happened that night.
But a guy from my college saw me.
He was OUT and proud.
He also was delusional & told whoever would listen that not only was I there.
He slept with me!
I was horrified on ALL counts.
I approached him to discuss, & he was belligerent & unapologetic
He said: YOU need to come OUT
I thought about this
And I asked him, who outed him?
He was perplexed.
No one, he replied.
I then asked: Why are you doing this to me?
He said that he felt it needed to be done.
For which I continued: Let me do this on my time.
And thankfully, he flamed down for a bit, & understood, that each person should be given the opportunity to evolve as they feel comfortable.
Have I out ed people over the years.
Sadly, I have.
I am not proud of it, and wish I would have thought of my own experiences.

The only thing I can say for certain, is that once I owned who I am; a great burden was lifted from me.

That was nearly 25 years ago.
A great deal has happened in our world to make life easier.
But yet, bullies still pick on others.

So our work to make life full of acceptance & joy continues.
On Tuesday, celebrate yourselves & your friends.
Love yourself & tell your LGBT & for that matter EVERYONE, that you love them
Mean it!

Come celebrate w/ us Friday @ Fairgrounds @ Six Flags
It will be a wonderful evening to be LOUD & PROUD!
x
Mark
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Saturday October 8, 2011
District 36 & Mark Nelson present The Return To Juniorverse
* $20 entry til 4am: Tell James @ the door U/R MY Guest

Special guest DJs: Samantha Ronson + Razor & Guido
The Legendary Junior Vasquez starts @ 1am
Hosted by: Richie Rich, Kevin Aviance & Vivacious
Sound System designed by Gary Stewart Audio
21+ w/ ID ~ Doors open 10pm
District 36 ~ 29 West 36th Street (between 5th & 6th Ave)
More info: http://marknelson.biz/2011/08/1216
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The last few weeks The F Word has hosted some very wonderful people. Traci Lords & Tila Tequila each brought their beauty & talents; we have some major bold-face names coming this next month, stay tuned.
Join The F Word on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/111246875574429

Enjoy Columbus Day Weekend !
* Tho the Scandinavians discovered America: discuss)