So Wednesday 8th December marked G-Day for mum, she browsed the web site and of course read this. God(dess) no matter how many warning you put parents just nosiey right on in there! (Sorry mama). So it went okay, she seemed okay apart from thinking that I am devil worshiping, something to do with Memnoch...

So really it is now on with the show, perhaps I have arrived at the main event, being open to everyone I care about, hey they even may get to meet the next boyfriend! That scares me more than them, I am sure Mama is going to be certain that no boy is good enough for her son, just like the girls weren't!

I think I am quite okay with my sexuality (apart from the first few questions), I first became aware of fancying men whan I was about twelve, finding my fathers magazines and 'liking' the men in them [point of clarification Mama was concerned when she read this - they were naturism magz and stuff like that. The last time I check, many years ago now, my father was still str8]. I can remember that he once caught me - embarrassing  moment - and he told me that I should stop because everyone would think I was some sort of queer. That was a healthy positive growing experience!

Julia, my sister, was the member of my family and friends group that I came out to. We have a brilliant relationship, best sister in the world. We support each other and can tell each other when we are being stupid, clear etc.

Being out to my friends was a bit more difficult - I can't remeber what provided the tension for the night - but I had consummed a reasonable about of alcoholic beverage and the ball started rolling in earnest. I always remember it being a bit messy, confessions, tears, much wailling but the morning after was a lot clearer and I was a lot happier, if cautious around them. But of course they said it was fine, it didn't change me - and explained alot!

I haven't told all my family, yet, but by the end of the summer of '99 that will be covered. Why haven't I told them? Well some are not so involved in my life, others their home circumstances make it difficult and problematic, but what are these but things to rise to.

And now, 4 years on from comming out I am proud to say I am still really good friends with everyone from that night and love them all deeply, and the people in my life all know 'the truth about cats and dogs' as far as I am concerned.

And so, the truth about cats and dogs is, there ain't no cats in my life, only dogs!