I made my first post yesterday on an earlier topic about celebrating holidays. Just Lois invited me to introduce myself.....Hi JL.
Where to start? Born to a JW mom/non religious dad in south Georgia. Oh, yeah....gay, too. Growing up was a struggle. Did well in school, had some friends, but only during school hours....no extracurricular stuff. I got baptized at 14, pioneered, MS and prayed to be changed...good luck with that. Celibacy was not my strong suit. At the age of 25, I confessed to the elders.....wth was I thinking? Was df'd for two years....never missed a meeting. Reinstated. I'm not very proud of the fact that I eventually started living a double life again....but it is, what it is. Went through the motions for a couple of years, just to continue with family and friends. The prospect of living a double life...or celibacy, for the rest of my life, was not very appealing. So, I called one of the elders and told them I gotta be me....do what you need to do. They, of course, wanted to meet with me. No chance, bro.
Df'd for the second and last time about 20 years ago. Since then, have been living an honest and true life. Met someone 17 years ago...been together ever since. Moved to Key West, started fresh......life is good.