Queereaders discussion

Hey everybody. I just joined this group a short time ago. Thought I'd drop in and introduce myself.

I'm 19 and in college and just trying to find my way around this new environment.

I like reading coming out stories and romance stories with gay characters. They really helped me out when I came out to my family and friends when I was 15.

Some people had a problem with finding out I was gay, but, hey, I was exactly the same person I always was before I told them. My attitude was (and is) if you can't accept me for who I am, well, guess we better go our separate ways. Life is too short, you know? I like who I am and like to be around people who accept me, whether you're gay, straight, bi, lesbian or whatever.

Anyway, look forward to some good discussions and making friends. Well, guess that's all for now.

Take care,
Troy

Hey, Troy! Welcome to our wonderful group! If you're interested in romances about characters your age, check out Missy Welsh and William Cooper's books. Both authors have books about 18-19 year old characters.

Hi Ralph. Thanks for the welcome.

I haven't heard of the 2 authors u mentioned, but I'll check em out. When I get a little time, I plan to go thru the bookshelf here and see what's there.

Thanks again for the welcome and book recs.

Best, Troy

Hey Troy - Welcome to the group! Lots of nice people on here and some interesting conversations.

I have to say that I admire those of you who come out at such a young age. (There's another young couple in the group - Matt & Brad - who are both out and around your age.) It was unthinkable to come out when I was in high school and it's nice to see some progress has been made. Though, I'm sure it's still no cake-walk even now.

Enjoy! - Tom

Welcome, Troy!

Check out our group's bookshelf for great titles sorted by category (plenty of romances too!):

http://www.goodreads.com/group/booksh...

Our group reads are on the home page.

Tom wrote: "There's another young couple in the group - Matt & Brad - who are both out and around your age"

Thanks Tom for the warm welcome!

I'm actually friends with Matt - we went to high school together. He told me about this group actually. I don't see as much of him now that I'm in college and he's dating Brad, but they are both really kewl!

Thanks again! Troy

Hi Troy, and welcome... we do have a growing shelf list of titles and we have great fun talking about books, and everything else we can think of!

I am Doug, a librarian, and a more than avid reader of almost anything... almost.

d

Welcome, Troy!

Doug wrote: "I am Doug, a librarian, and a more than avid reader of almost anything... almost."

Hi Doug, and thanks for the welcome! So you're a librarian? Well, I have to say I LOVE libraries!! My mom always took us to libraries starting before kindergarten, and I've been hooked ever since. I love the atmosphere and the almost "reverent" feeling inside. There's something almost magical or sacred (that may be too strong a word) about being in a library.

Troy

Harper wrote: "Welcome, Troy!"

Thanks Harper! I took a peek at ur blog. Can't wait to spend some time in there!!

Troy

Troy wrote: "Harper wrote: "Welcome, Troy!"

Thanks Harper! I took a peek at ur blog. Can't wait to spend some time in there!!

Troy"

Oh, thanks, Troy. :) I have to update it. It's been a while.

Welcome Troy. Boy, they sure grown 'em nice in Boston ;-). I'm from another generation and envy your coming out at 15. Lying to oneself for a couple of decades, like I did, is very damaging to the psyche. I really admire you guys for having the courage to be true to yourselves.

What are you doing in school? What kind of books do you like to read?

Kernos wrote: "Welcome Troy. Boy, they sure grown 'em nice in Boston ;-)."

Hey thanks, Kernos! I appreciate the welcome (and all the others I've gotten).

You mentioned that you're from another generation. I really like knowing, and talking to, people older than me. I think queer kids in my generation are sometimes too absorbed in their own lives, or in youth itself, that we forget the value of all that's gone on before us. I know 3 or 4 gay guys in their 50s and 60s and love to hear their perspective on things, as well as their wisdom. Kids my age sometimes forget that the world did not just begin with their birth. I'm learning that there's a whole rich -- and sometimes tragic -- history that is as much a part of our community as all the progress we're making now.

So, glad to know you! I hope I have some things to contribute to this group as well as learn from you and others!

As far as school is concerned I'm an undergraduate and plan to major in business admin. I'm not totally sure yet how I want to use it, but I hope to keep myself grounded in a lot of the values I have concerning making a contribution to make the world a better place. I like money, but I also have some very strong values about being connected to things in the world that really matter.

As far as book are concerned, I really like gay male romance (guess that's what I'm thinking about a lot these days!!) [ha]. I also like reading coming out stories. I also went through a period of depression after coming out at 15, so I like reading about how other gay kids dealt with - and survived - being bullied and how they built their self-esteem.

Thanks again for the welcome!

Troy

Troy wrote:

I'm actually friends with Matt - we went to high s..."

Well, whaddayaknow...it IS a small world after all!

Hey Troy, glad to see somebody else in here around my age! Looks like there r a few other guys our age also. Totally kewl. Didnt know exactly what to expect here but glad i found it.