Coming out - Glen O'Brien

This collection of gay stories covers whole lives as well as snapshots, positive and negative experiences. They deal with issues surrounding coming out to yourself and to others and also choosing to remain in the closet. Stories of growing up and family feature, as do experiences of relationships and spiritual issues. For many gay people there are complications surrounding partnerships and the law and the Revenue; difficulties relating to church. Other concerns include illness and bereavement. Such themes run through this anthology. This collection is published for gay people and their loved ones, in the hope that in reading about the experiences of others, they will recognise their own tales. The spirit of the collection is one of affirmation and hope, of encouragement and welcome. 'He said to me: "If you were free to choose right now would you choose to be a gay or straight man?" I waited for the response to arise from deep within me. I did not know what it would be. And then the simple answer came and I replied: "I would choose to be gay because that is who I am." That was an epiphany for me.' - Anonymous.;Royalties form this book will be donated to the Irish Queer Archive and the Irish Cancer Society.