Growing up gay
by Sam Harty
When I was growing up:
I chased this one girl around the table in our kindergarten classroom. I wanted to pretend she was the bride and I was the groom.
When I was growing up:
I hated wearing dresses. My mother tried and tried to entice me to, but I was more than willing to hold my breath until I turned blue.
When I was growing up:
Playing "Karate woman" out on the playground at recess was my favorite game. Showing the boys I could conquer them with a chop and a kick was my claim to fame.
When I was growing up:
My mother got very ill, around the age of 12, and died. My brother teased me at how, like a girl, I cried.
When I was growing up:
I realized there was nothing wrong with crying over a loss. I was a girl, never wanted to be anything else and at that moment I did my most growing up, even if at a cost.
When I was growing up:
I was a girl who crushed on other girls which I promptly proved by falling in love with my best friend and her every single move.
When I was growing up:
In high school, I took a beating, but I was out with pride, I didn't ever try to hide the person I was deep down inside.
When I was growing up:
There wasn't much representation on movies and television. When Ellen stood up and shouted out "I'm Gay" it caused society some division. Finally the big dark secret of Uncle John or Cousin Sally had to be addressed, and I was among the family to stand up too, and tell them I'm gay just like you.
When I got old:
I still got my heart broken many more times. I dived into my poetry, making the most of my rhymes.
So yeah, I'm gay, have been 60 plus years. It was never really the problem in my life and rarely the reason for my "girl like" tears.
Overall, now in 2024 it's really no big issue anymore. No reason to rage, no reason to fight. To be honest, nowadays, I'm more concerned about what's for dinner tonight.
About the Creator
ᔕᗩᗰ ᕼᗩᖇTY
Sam Harty is a poet of raw truth and quiet rebellion. Author of Lost Love Volumes I & II and The Lost Little Series, her work confronts heartbreak, trauma, and survival with fierce honesty and lyrical depth. Where to find me
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Transvestite thailand
When the term “transvestite Thailand” surfaces in travel blogs or online searches, it often conjures a narrow set of images: glamorous cabaret performers in sequined gowns or street-side scenes in certain nightlife districts. But to reduce Thailand’s profound and complex relationship with gender expression to a mere tourist spectacle is to miss the entire, beautiful story. Thailand is home to one of the world’s most visible, historic, and culturally integrated transgender and cross-dressing communities. This isn’t a modern import; it’s woven into the very fabric of Thai society, offering a powerful lesson in acceptance, identity, and the artistry of being oneself.
By David Femboy2 days ago in Pride
Comments (21)
⚡♥️⚡
And congrats on the TS. Read this a few days ago and thought I had left a comment then...
Great growing up story and really touching. The Karate woman bit made me smile. I practice Karate and the most kick-ass person in our club is a 15-year old girl who has just made the England team.
I really appreciate your poetic candour. Your story is important and I loved how you allowed this to unfold. Cheers for tears!
Thank you for sharing your life with us
Thank you for sharing this and being vulnerable.
This was touching. My heart broke on your mom's passing. I admire and respect your pride and openness. You did a great job communicating your inner thoughts. Congratulations on your Top Story!!!
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I love your poem. It not only highlights the struggles and victories. Its the voice of a human who is way passed acceptance of something that should never be questioned to begin with. I'm with you, what's for dinner is more exciting than worrying about who made the dinner.
Amazing top story!
That was deep and powerful poem Thank you so much for sharing!!! I love hearing people’s experiences with this, I remember when Ellen stood up and made that declaration. Wow there was a lot of conversation about it back then,
Awesome work, congrats on TS
This was my favorite part as I felt it was a very important turning point with a meaningful impact on how you continued to grow: When I was growing up: I realized there was nothing wrong with crying over a loss. I was a girl, never wanted to be anything else and at that moment I did my most growing up, even if at a cost. Such a powerful journey!
Sam, I don't have the words to describe this without it sounding trite so I'm just going to tell you how much I liked this and leave it at that.
This was powerful, I hope you felt good writing this. I'm so proud how far you've come! Congrats on top story💓💓🎉🎉
It must have been so hard losing your mum at such a young (and tricky) age. Thought this was so good. Wishing you all the best.
I admire your poem, it's so touching and deep. I agree with you that everyone has the right to live according to their feelings. It's not a crime to be gay, but unfortunately, the world isn't always ready to accept it because of false reputations. I'm really happy that you respected your feelings and accepted yourself. After all, what the world thinks about you doesn't matter at all.
I love your raw and honest emotion and confidence in who you are. Being gay doesn't define a person - it's the kind of heart and soul that embodies that person that defines them instead. So many struggle through such an awareness, and unfortunately, this world is not the kindest or the most understanding. Still, hope in humanity prevails. Your strength and awareness of who you are is amazing.
Additionally, after all the bad times you went through, I am proud of you for showing the world who you are.
You deserve better in this world.
I love the walk down memory lane, it has been a long hard road...still fighting. Time to relax and enjoy life.