Wednesday, October 22, 2003

start of an important relationship

Dear Christian,

My name is XXXXXXX and I’m a freshman here at Marquette. I read the article a few weeks ago in the Tribune that kind of told your life story and what it’s like to be gay. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since I read it, and decided I had to try and contact you. The reason being I’m gay. I’ve known it for as long as I can remember. But I can’t come out. My family, my friends, and especially my church keep my sexuality a secret.

I know they have clergy, counseling, and support groups available at Marquette, but I’m just not ready for that right now. What I’m asking for I guess, is someone to talk with about things I can’t seem to talk to anybody else about. And I think you might be able to help me do just that. If I’m asking too much, or you’re just not interested, that’s okay too. I know I’m not in this alone: “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you,’ so we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.”

I think it goes without saying, but I also wanted to ask you not to tell anyone else about this just yet.

I am living this life that’s happy and normal, and let me be the first to say I’m as happy and normal as they come, but there’s a big part of my life that I’m not able to show anyone and it would mean the world to me if you want to help me out. I understand you’re a junior and probably an incredibly busy person, as I am, so I realize time is something you may not have a lot of, but I just thought if anyone here would know exactly what I’m going through, you would.

Please let me know what you think, and thanks in advance.
God Bless, XXXX

__________________________________________________________________

Hey there XXXX--

I would absolutely have no problem finding some time to talk to you whenever you want. I am actually pretty free the mornings of this week, but I also have a fairly open weekend. So just let me know when would work for you.

Please know that everything that you say or write will be kept in strictest confidence. I am not new to this sort of situation, so I understand just how precious privacy is. No worries there, okay?

Anyway, let me know when you would like to meet up, and I hope you have a wonderful week,

Christian