Is there another phrase than "I'm gay."? It just sounds so tacky :P

I usually say, "I date guys." It's less essentialist than "I'm gay," and it gets to the heart of why it matters.

 

I bat for the other team

 

^ That's the one I used when I told my friends. Although it went a little something more like "I switched teams"

 

While I understand the argument against "not straight," there is one plus I see, at least for myself: it covers all present and future possibilities. Imagine the headache of coming out as gay, only to realize that there is a slight sliver of bisexual. I don't think that's the case with me, but I can't rule it out completely.

However, I like Owen's idea the best: saying whom you date. Straight people generally don't go around advertising, "I like sex with the opposite sex!" (Well, outside of college dorms and frat houses, etc.) Instead, they talk about whomever they are dating.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure I can talk about whom I date, simply because the only date I've ever had was the edible kind from the grocery store...

 

I particularly like the Medjool dates...hmm hmm (get them fresh)!

By the way, I have successfully come out to people by just saying "I've decided to come out..." most people get it. I do have to use "je suis gai" in French though...

 

You don't have to tell people you're speaking in the abstract when you say it.

 

I partake of the love that dare not speak its name? Gotta keep stuff classy.

 

Well, I prefer dates that are well mannered!

---------- Post added 22nd Apr 2013 at 05:22 PM ----------

Good point. If only I can find a way to silence that inner critic as he says, "What do you mean! You've never had even one date!"

 

:roflmao:

 

One possibility I've toyed with has been to say nothing until I send out the wedding announcement. If people see 2 guys' names on that, they should be able to connect the dots....

 

I guess "the people" this would apply to are strictly those family members and friends who would only see you at weddings, or funerals...

 

That's what I've been using as well in French (haven't had to come out in English yet ). I can't really think of any other French expression to say "I'm gay". I guess there's the French equivalent of "I like men", but can't really think of any other.

 

I agree with you, I hate that phrase. When I came out, I said this "I'm attracted to men. Not women." I painted a pretty clear picture there XD

 

Actually, a part of me dreams of making it everyone. My Inner Procrastinator thinks this way I can shove the problem down the road few years (maybe forever). It would eliminate so many tiresome conversations.

Practically, though, I'd probably use this approach only on a limited audience, if at all.

 

Gay is perfectly fine. People just need to stop stating it as though they are confessing to a crime. If there ever is a time to throw in some pizzazz, it is when you're coming out of the closet.

You're not just Gay. You're Super Gay. You're Fucking Fabulous. ; )

 

Good points.

And honestly, while I can intellectually accept that it's fine to be gay, there is a part of me that is not so accepting, thanks to various external pressure (such as society). Add to that the fact that one side of my family had a strong prudish streak...

 

"I like guys." It sounds a bit nicer than "gay" to people who feel it has a connotation of flamey-ness. And you don't have to say "boys" like you have pedophilic tendencies o.0

 

Ya, "I like boys" just doesn't sound right :/