David Austin:  

Even though I was sort of quiet and shy (unless I knew you really well -- then I could talk your head off), I was tall, had a deep voice, and was not at all effeminate, so I think most people from High School who don't know me now will be surprised to find out that I'm gay. I finally figured it out in the 12th grade after many years of denial, wondering, feeling alone, questioning, and worrying what everyone else would think of me. It took me quite a few more years to come out to my family and friends. Since High School I wanted to work with computers. I took a computer class in 12th and really loved programming. My aunt who lived in Austin and had attended U.T. worked as a programmer. My family and friends thought that was a good idea for me too. As it turns out, we were all wrong. It was o.k. but I was never really happy. I never talked much about my spirituality in High School, it was too personal for me. I enjoyed the ideas behind Toaism, the Tao Te Ching, and reading about Lao-Tzu. I had stopped going to the Christian church by High School. I was hurt and angered by all the condemnation and preaching about sinners, with very little emphasis on Love. I met my partner Mike in 1991. He was a wonderful, amazing man. He grew up in California, was valedictorian and then attended the Air Force Academy. He was stationed in San Angelo for several ...Expand for more