7/29/2016 20 Comments "Jazz Hands and Glitter Balls"“ I now pronounce you Man and Man”- I held my action figures side by side (well when I say action figures I mean Aladdin and Ken). I pushed them together pretending they kissed as the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, pronounced them as the happy couple. They walked down the aisle holding hands to “Going to the Chapel” by the Dixie Cups.I was 11 years old sat in my bedroom with a pretend church and a congregation of Barbie Dolls and Penny Pockets. You can see where I am heading with this one can't you? I always knew I was different from the other boys at school and in my area. While the other boys played 5 a side football in the playground, I stood doing handstands against the wall. I played skipping with the girls and was always found hiding in this gorgeous Wendy House donated by one of the parents, pretending to be the mummy dressing this god awful looking doll, nursing it better by feeding it pretend food. I never really mixed well with boys, I didn’t really have anything in common with them. I did have a few male friends but to be honest I couldn’t be bothered to talk about girls, sports or what they did with their dad at the weekend. I couldn’t wait to see my best friend in class, to have a good old girly time in the play area. To me though, this was normal. I remember seeing guys on the T.V. and secretly thinking I like him. He’s cute. But how can I like another boy? I mean, it should be boyfriend and girlfriend, right? That’s what society has created. Anyway, I kept these thoughts to myself for quite some time, an 11 year old shouldn’t really be thinking of kissing boys should they? However it was so obvious to the rest of the word I was a raging Homo in the making. I was confused to why I was being laughed at and being called a “sissy”. I didn’t quite understand why I was always being called a girl. I mean I didn’t know what the word gay meant, but some of the boys in my class did. (Who does an 11 year old learn these words from for heaven’s sake?) it must be their parents? Anyway, in school, I had lots girl'friends. We used to play hide and seek behind our houses. We had sleep over’s and created dance routines to the latest Spice Girls songs and performed them on the park, where we all spent the weekends just chilling in our group. I will be honest, I was never the brightest pupil or even the perfect child. I misbehaved, caused mischief and had a temper that even frightened me. I wasn’t hitting puberty so god knows where these angry hormones came from. Through Primary school I was terribly bullied. I was hit every day in class and in the playground. I was locked in cupboards and items from my bag were thrown across the yard, not to mention being chased by a gang of thugs. Can Primary school children be called thugs? I guess so. Being called “gay" and "queer" (Oh I forgot to mention....I was bright Ginger), (so of course I had every Ginger name shouted at me too), became the norm for me. I heard it every day. My Parents moved me out of there but I got bullied again at my new school. Kids are cruel and when you’re different they hone in on this and use it as a weapon to hurt you as much as possible. Teachers did nothing and blamed me when I retaliated. I was being bullied by the boys in my area too. I used to get chased, called "queer", spat at and received constant blows to my face. I was thrown into a group being pushed from pillar to post. I never went out on my own, I felt scared. By now I was 12 and ready to leave Primary School. My parents knew I was being bullied and did everything they could to stop it. They used to walk me to the school gates and wait until I finished. They attended meetings with teachers but it kept on happening. But I still never told my parents the feelings I was getting towards boys. I was petrified. What if they didn’t accept me? I wasn’t like any of the other boys. I didn’t want to do PE and play sports; I couldn’t wait to learn Drama and Music. At 12 I knew I 100% liked boys. Girls had no interest for me. I wasn’t attracted to them in the slightest. Here came High School. So here I was a gold star gay arriving on my first day. I stood there at the entrance with both my straps of my bag on my shoulders. Blazer fastened, tie perfectly done up and my shoes all shiny and new. Nervous but excited. My palms became hot, my heart fluttered and my chest became tight. Is this going to be Primary school all over again? I had this question running through my head a thousand times. Can I hide this camp personality that for some reason just oozed out of me? How could I pretend to be “Normal?” I remember sitting in my new form and looking around, who could I befriend and who could I avoid. Unfortunately for me the majority of my Primary school was also sat in my form. It was like the bullies followed me. I know that sounds over exaggerated, but they did! Let me take you away from school for a while and tell you about my home life. I grew up in a very respectable family. Both parents worked hard and provided the best they could for me. Growing up as the only child was the best ever. I had all the attention on me. I had everything I could ask for. Then my beautiful Sister arrived and took that shine away. It was great to be honest. I got to play with all her toys, and then my Brother arrived not so long after. I became the big brother. I often talk to my mum now and ask whether she knew I was gay. Her response was always “of course I knew, ever since you were born” I used to stand like a tea pot – hand on hip other hand as limp as a poorly house plant that hasn’t been watered for some time. That’s where I get the saying I was born with Jazz hands, under Glitter balls. They of course tried every trick in the book to get me to extract the truth from my lips. I will always remember a calendar I got one year for Christmas. It had semi naked females on it. I was more interested in their bikinis rather than their boobs and bottoms. There is a famous story of a friend of mine and me one Christmas. This gets told at every family event I have ever attended. I’ve learnt to just laugh at this and think well of course! I was bought a brand new BMX (the full trimmings, the lot) My friend was brought this pram, it had beautiful canvas wrapped around it, silver wheels…. The old fashioned type of prams you see in these Victorian T.V. shows. As my parents sat in the lounge celebrating Christmas day, they saw my friend whizzing past the house window doing wheelies, while I trotted down the street with this pram. (I was in my element). So of course yes they said they always knew I was gay from birth. No one suddenly “becomes gay” I say that all the time. Studies have shown a gene in your DNA. Of course you get these religious groups saying that all gays are going to burn in hell. It’s that bad you get these groups in America for Gay men to be transformed into straight men. I don’t take religion seriously so I am not going to bore you with Religious detail. I did have my Dad try everything from Golf to Fishing, and yes I played in the under 13’s Rugby club once, however being dragged off the pitch by my shirt because I was crying that I was sweating, didn’t go down a treat with him. We didn’t get on at times. We had nothing in common and I made his life a misery. I spent a lot of my time as my Mums shadow. I followed her everywhere. But one thing always sticks in my mind, and that is both my parents never made me be anything I wasn’t. However I was very naughty and caused a lot of disruptions. I always had my Mum siding with me. Looking back, I’m surprised, that my parents didn’t blindfold me and take me to a convent, knock on the Church doors and do a runner, leaving me there with a bunch of scary Nuns. So going back to my school years. Yes I was an arse. I had attitude. I thought whatever most of the time. I was being severely bullied there too. One memory I have of school, is the day I was stamped on in the school yard and the guys Nike tick on the bottom of his shoe stayed on my back for at least 2 weeks. Of course again the school was useless, my head of year was as useless as a chocolate tea-pot. I’m trying to remember if he was expelled…. No wait he wasn’t. Clearly schools aren’t equipped for bullying. I’ve read so many stories on social media lately that parents post about their child being bullied and the school does sod all. It will never stop. How do you stop bullying? I’m just glad I’m not one of these poor souls being bullied now. I mean social media today creates the perfect forum for this. Trolling etc is happening everyday. I’m lucky. I’m not going to name and shame the school I went too. However it’s on the tip of my tongue to say. But I won’t. I also would love to point the finger at those who made my life a living hell. Justice has prevailed though. Half of them are in prison. Or better still, weighed down with a thousand kids, no job, no lives and no life prospects. I see some of them now. In fact I was behind one of them not so long ago in a queue, while i was buying some wine for me and the hubby. He was buying smoking papers and a pouch of tobacco. He looked a mess. I love karma. I have a best friend in the whole world, I haven't seen her for sometime. She’s now building a family life with her beautiful children, and not so long ago I attended her wedding. Stunning as ever. She was my rock through my school years. We did everything together. We sneaked off to Manchester (Canal Street) many times. I began to embrace my sexuality. I understood myself as being gay. My best friend taught me not to be ashamed of who I was and what I was to become. So it was time to “come out” to my parents. I will always remember the day like it was yesterday. I was 15 years old. I came home from school, and there was my dad sat in his chair watching T.V. and my Mum and Nan in the kitchen/dining room. I was quiet and wanted to tell them so quickly but couldn’t. They knew there was a problem I needed to off load. Years and years of bullying, feeling alone and isolated came to this. The constant not wanting to go to school, the attitude I shoved onto my parents. I sat on this huge table, it felt very professional. There my Mum and Nan stared at me asking me so many questions. I just couldn’t get the words out. My dad was watching T.V. in the lounge. Then that was it. I was asked! “You're gay aren’t you” my mum said. I sank, went bright red and put my hands to my face. I cried. Then silence. I didn’t get any reaction. Not one bad word. Suddenly my Nan chirps up. “Well we knew that, so what are your other problems?” I was one of the fortunate ones that day. I’ve heard so many horror stories of parents kicking their beloved child out on to the streets just because of his/her sexuality. What sort of parents are these people. What sort of parents who made this child throws them out like a bag of garbage? I was pretty disappointed to be honest. I mean this was my moment, my moment to announce myself to the world and all I got was an “oh right”. But that was it. No drama.... nothing. I was “out of the closet” at last! So when I came out, I was free to enjoy my life. My family realised the reasons I was such a shit, must of been because I was keeping something like this to myself for so long. I got through school as much a possible. I was suspended about 4 times and put in detention...a lot. I hated school. I had the girls but that was about it. At 16 I left. Hurray!! I was free as a bird. My best friend and I spent every weekend getting glammed up to hit the street in Manchester. Sometimes we pulled all nighters. The other times we missed our bus home and had to go to the police station to call our parents to come collect us at 4am in the morning. However, school became a distant memory and I embraced my sexuality with 1st class honours. I had boyfriends (for like a week, but got bored). I just wanted to party and dance the night away in our favourite club on Canal Street. It was the best feeling in the world. I was out and proud. No more pricks calling me faggot and queer. Just me against the world. I often think back to the horrible times I had at school and ever wonder, would I have been treated differently being a member of our school football team? Well of course. I mean you have to be straight don’t you. Being gay is disgusting isn’t it? I have had my fair share of messed up relationships in my time. I am not denying I was a complete arse at times. But I can finally say I have met my penguin and never been as happier. It's such a tremendous feeling to be loved. I’m extremely lucky. Again there are far too many “straights” stuck in straight marriages, and their secretly getting with guys. I pity them. Regardless of having 6 heads, 4 arms and your colour is blue, everyone deserves to be happy and loved. I don’t think we'll ever eliminate bullying in school. I suppose you have to be a follower and be like everyone else. Well not me. Being gay is only a small part of my personality. It’s not a choice you make, it’s who you are. I have my enemies, just like everyone does. I don’t want everyone to like me. To be honest I’m not a people person. But there’s one thing that I can hold my head up high and say to you all “I am what I am, and I am my own special creation”.
20 Comments
Collette Holloran
8/3/2016 09:13:09 am
Fantastic Read Joe , you should be proud of yourself and who you have become .You are a lovely person xxx
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Lauren
8/3/2016 12:22:02 pm
Just a few little words come to mind when I read this. I am one proud sister!!!
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8/4/2016 12:54:35 am
Your writing is lovely. I can almost imaging all the things you said you went through at school. Children can be so cruel :(
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Children will always be bullies because they don't understand how it is to be different, unless they are themselves. They are grown and thought about "normal" and everything that doesn't fit the norm has to be laughed at. I know that these days families are more open and they are raising their children to accept diversity, but not back then. Your parents are amazing, not many will accept the idea of their son being gay.
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8/4/2016 03:16:51 pm
This was such a poignant post of someone who I see as a warrior, someone who I would be proud to call my friend. Growing up I was called a lesbian because I never wore make up and was a tomboy but I was actually straight. That being said 95 % of my friends are Bi, Gay, Lesbian, Queer, Trans or Drag Queens and I love it. They are the most kindest funniest most exciting group of people and I am so glad that your family were ok with you being gay. I have friends who were not so lucky but I am so sorry to hear about you being bullied. Kids can be so cruel but now look at you! You should be so proud of yourself, my mum is married to someone who is homophobic and I wrote an open letter to him on my blog called 'Dear Homophobe' you might want to read it. Anyhow I am so glad I got to read your post and its amazing that you are openly gay now and your best friend sounds lovely!
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8/5/2016 12:08:10 pm
What a lovely read. You write so well. Sorry to hear about the kids being so mean.
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8/5/2016 04:30:44 pm
Thanks for sharing a very hard part of your life! So happy to hear your can freely be yourself now. I didnt enjoy school much either, hopefully school will become a more open and non judgemental place as the years go on!
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8/6/2016 12:16:10 am
What a great read! I think its disgusting that bulling is not taken more serious in schools, i was bullied and hated school but karma is so good :) a few of my gay friends have religious parents who have loved and accepted them for who they are, i think its awful these people hiding behind religion and disowing their own children. I will always teach my children what i believe and its that they dont have to agree with anyones lifestyle, sexual preference etc but they have a choise and can choose to always love and never ever hate or bully because someone is different to them.
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8/6/2016 10:33:01 am
The bullying sounds horrendous. I'm glad you had your family to support you though.
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8/7/2016 11:09:10 am
What a fantastic read. I really enjoyed reading it. I'm sorry you had to go through the bullying, even at primary school x
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8/8/2016 01:41:58 am
Kids can be so cruel. I was bullied in school and it is awful. So pleased you have a supportive family x
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Hannah
8/8/2016 11:59:22 am
So sorry to hear you were bullied, this was a brilliant read x
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8/8/2016 12:47:57 pm
Oh what a time you had as a child. Kids can be so awful and cruel. You are an inspiration - I am glad you have found yourself. Your post will most definitely help so many. Kaz x
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8/11/2016 02:53:20 am
That is a terribly sad story that has a happy ending. You have been through so much and have come through it a strong, happy and wise person.
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Kelly
8/20/2020 07:27:56 am
Love this Joe so proud of who you have become n tho we dont see each other that much anymore know that you will forever be my best friend and I loved every day of us growing up xx
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