I have a couple different stories about coming out, but this one is the most concrete…This was about two years ago in the summer of 2008. I had just broken up with my girlfriend of that past year and a half and was ready to start living my life the way that I had wanted. Growing up as an identical twin meant that my life was always shared by someone else and I sort of felt like I was half of a person. I had just graduated college and as a present for myself decided to book a trip to California to visit a guy who would have been the closest thing to a boyfriend I had had. My brother knew that this guy and I had been romantic, but he was under the impression that I was cured and into girls.
I spent a week in Fresno with this guy, and during my trip ended up meeting someone named Tony. I fell hard for Tony. I really only spent a couple hours with him, but holy hell did he make an impact.
I flew back to Philadelphia shattered. All I could think about was Tony. I finally felt complete, but he was fading farther away as the plane made it from one coast to the other. In the blink of an eye I was back at work and into my usual routine. Tony and I started to talk every night/day on the phone and I quickly set another trip to go see him in Fresno. The trip came and went and I found myself head over heels in love.
Back home, my family and I were up in the mountains of PA at our cabin soaking in the last bit of summer. Everyone was asleep besides my twin brother and I, its 3am in the morning and we’re hammered. Both of us were outside by the fire looking at the stars and talking when we looked at one another, smiled and decided it was a great time for a hug. When we embraced I announced (again) to my brother that I was gay at the very same time he was saying how happy he was that I wasn’t gay. (Thick people in my family I’ll tell you ). We both stepped back in surprise at what the other one had just said. After the awkwardness had dissipated we were able to talk and I told him about Tony and how in love I was. My twin was receptive, but upset at the same time.
It took maybe two days for him and I to start vibing as normal again, but soon he was becoming my biggest ally! He would come out to people for me, stand up to others in my family and tell everyone how great I was and how proud of me he was. I was so scared that I was going to lose him as my best friend, but knew that he needed to know the truth. Because of his acceptance, my coming out has been remarkable. I am beyond thankful to have him in my life.
