Coming Out
Gabriel Duncan

When I was growing up
I couldn't tell you who I was
I couldn't show my colors
For fear of others spilling my blood

But, but by the time I was twelve
I was beginning to think about coming out
I tried once and I felt empowered
But the next guy stopped the presses to sell me out

Now, I'm sure you know
How it goes in schools these days
That every other word
Is he/she/it is or that's so gay

The words I said had a trickle down affect
That you just don't see anymore
They trickled down and hit the people
Much quicker than I could expect

Then I went home
To another gleeful task
I told my mother the truth
I took off my mask

Well, half of it, at least
I told her I was Bi
But I guess she probably knew
At least she didn't die

But soon after that
I came to the aftermath
Because the secret that I had so shared
Had been sold behind my back

It was a great day at school
I can remember
Not a word was spoken by my friends
It was obvious I was disowned

Then I had my first experience
At one of those gay support groups
I hadn't considered they would all be different
When I walked into the room
But there they were, pink boas flowing
Off both the brides and both the grooms
It didn't seem so strange after a while
After I was squeezed to make more room

Oh, when I cam home
My parents sat at the dinner table
Oh, I should have flown
But my fear had rendered me inabled

Mom said I told Dad
My stomach felt real bad
I was cornered and scared
Even if I was prepared

I knew the ASPCA
Had once declared a boy a dog
To get the boy away
From his parents' hateful drawl

If it were screaming, death, blind rage
I would wear a ready face
But when they sat me down
My precautions seemed mistake

They said, "We'll always love you,
'No matter what you are,
'Green, aqua, fork or spoon
'You are always ours."

From that day we've had our tests
Switched from school to school
But that's the day I recall best
When Rachel became Raul