Comments on: the party

By: Ashley A

Ashley A — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:23:16 +0000

It surprises me time and time again just how many members deal with this.

By: David B Baker

David B Baker — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:33:27 +0000

Clint,

I remember that party pretty well and thought our conversation together wasn’t that great because I am not that good with new people the first time we meet so I blame myself for not making you feel more included. I have felt that the parties often hang around the topic of activism and, like you went into, we just can’t shut up about it.

I hope that in the intervening 2 years you have met others en masse and it has been a better experience. :)

~David

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:08:25 +0000

I was at that party too. ;)

I’ll tell you a secret: you’ve described pretty accurately how I feel at almost every one of our parties. I’m very happy to provide a place where people can be themselves and make new friends (or even the love of their life–I’m pretty sure that our best friends, who got married last summer, met at that very party that you came to).

But as much as I enjoy being able to provide that place for people, it rarely feels like my place. Mostly that’s just my own inhibitions and insecurities and introversions walling me off from others, and I accept full responsibility for the result. But it does make for a lonely life, so it’s something I’m working on overcoming.

For the record: I love “Were the World Mine” (the movie we watched that night). It’s certainly not a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s a cute (albeit somewhat cheesy) story with nice music. :)

And I’m absolutely certain that Priscilla benefited greatly from your conversation with her, because she’s told me so herself (though I never knew who exactly it was who she had talked to until reading this post). Sarah and I have gotten together with her and her husband once or twice.

By: Clint

Clint — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 01:59:03 +0000

@Silas G – I wouldn’t worry about it. Talking with you was one of the more enjoyable parts of the evening, besides I’m a little overly good about hiding what I’m feeling most of the time.

And yes, I mean I didn’t watch it, but blech, that movie looked awful.

By: Silus Grok

Silus Grok — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:46:10 +0000

I was at this party. I wish I had been more in tune with you and her. I?m sorry I wasn?t. :(

The movie, of course, was drek.

By: Clint

Clint — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 20:02:03 +0000

That party was the first time that I had ever been around more than one gay person at a time (that I knew of). It was a little overwhelming. I was well received by my hosts, though and respect(ed) what they were trying to do there.

It’s been interesting going back and writing about moments in the past two years and seeing how I’ve changed and how I haven’t.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 06:19:50 +0000

Clint, I attended the very first party they hosted. It was also just a couple of months after I admitted to myself and my wife of then 23 years that I was gay, although it should have been obvious to both of us years ago. Time, distance, circumstance, and desire have prevented us from returning. I was so nervous that we arrived a half hour early so I could assimilate and acclimate slowly to the group. I really didn’t fit in much either, but I will forever be grateful for that first experience of venturing out into the big scary gay world and finding some truly great friends. I remember and stay in touch with almost everyone from that first gathering.

The dynamics of the group have changed a bit since the original one, but I believe it fills a purpose for most who attend seeking friendship and acceptance. I wish I could have been there to meet you in person and been uncomfortable with you.