It may not seem that way if you’re a resident of San Francisco and the Bay Area, but for many, coming out remains out of the question. Richard Swerdlow has this Perspective.
It was Gay Pride Parade day, and Civic Center was packed with revelers. My husband and I lined up for a slice of pizza, enjoying the celebration -- Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day, with a touch of Halloween -- all rolled into one.
Slices in hand, we found the only empty table. A young woman shyly asked if she could share the table. She smiled hesitantly, and took a seat. We sat chewing and I looked her over. She was about 25, very pretty, wearing a Sunday best dress too formal for this sometimes clothing-optional event, with an uncertain demeanor. I asked if she was enjoying Gay Pride.
“Oh,” she said, “it's my first time.”
She lived in rural California, she explained. Her family had a farm, and were very religious. “If they knew where I was...” she said.