OUT: WHY? In case anyone is wondering why I’ve been, or tried to be, pretty up-front about my sexual orientation on this site. I really don’t know if you people care, but figured you might.

1) Somebody has to. I’ve spoken with other Catholics with homosexual desires who would never speak about it publicly. Some were members of prominent Catholic organizations, who feared losing friends and reputation. (Straight Catholics: Whose fault is that?) Others simply value their privacy and practice discretion. All are faithful to the Church’s teaching, and live chastely. (One of them is perhaps the most inspiring person I’ve met, a man truly on fire for Christ, who brought home to me the real meaning of the Real Presence in the Eucharist.) Virtually no one in this society will even acknowledge that it’s possible to live like this. Priests don’t preach this hope from the pulpit. Gay spokesmen speak as if the only alternatives are unchastity or despair. “Conservative” Christians often politely ignore fellow Christians struggling with homosexuality. And you can bet your sweet bippy that chaste queer life is one cooperation of will and grace you’ll never see on “Will and Grace.” But if something exists, it must be possible; and here I am.

2) Too late now. There’s no “rewind” button in real life. I helped found my high school’s gay/straight alliance. Almost everyone who knows me, knows my deal. It doesn’t come up often, but its not like I could hide it even if I wanted to.

3) I write fiction. I suspect it’s nearly impossible to read that fiction and not draw the conclusion you’d draw about Jean Genet, Rebecca Brown, or Samuel Delany.

So that’s why.

A note: I say “queer” because it connotes a degree of alienation that I find accurate in describing my own experience. Also, I’m bi not homo, and would not want to mislead. But the people I described above were homosexual, so again, joyful chastity is possible. The joy may be painful (scroll down to Veritas), but it’s real, and worth the struggle. For more info on Catholic-homosexual stuff, click here and here. The Sacraments of Penance and Communion are totally key. God gave ’em to you; receive ’em.