An Open Closet

Being Open

Tom: Hey, Jackson.

Jackson: Hey bro. So you want to go to the softball game?

Tom: Uh, yeah. Before that I need to talk to you about something.

Jackson: Sure. What’s up?

Tom: Uh. Well, you know that girl I was telling you about.

Adam: Oh yeah! Sara. She sounds awesome. When you gonna hit that?

Tom: (small chuckle and smile) Yeah, well I did.

Roy: What!?! Yes! Hells yeah, buddy! (does a very boy like celebration with the other two) So how was it?

Tom: Better than I thought. Weirder even.

Jackson: Why? She a super freak. (gleefully punches Jackson’s arm)

Roy: Bruh.

Tom: Ugh. No. Well..the thing is..is that Sara...is a guy.

Roy: (slowly loses smile) What.

Tom: Yeah.

Jackson looks Tom up and down. Jackson somewhat scoots his chair away from Tom and then stands up as if trying to understand what just happened.

Jackson: What..do you mean that your..?

Tom: Gay? Yeah. I am.

Adam: Okay, well..okay I get it.

Roy: What!?!

Jackson: Are you sure?

Tom: Yeah. I’ve been sure for a while.

Jackson: No. It’s just that I don’t want you to go to Hell because you chose to gay.

Roy: Dude, I mean, seriously.

Tom: (astonished) What.

Roy: Have you really thought about this?

Adam: Guys...

Jackson: I mean, you know what happens to...those kind of people.

Tom: Those..? I am one of “those people”.

Adam: Okay, Roy. Jackson, let’s...

Jackson: You only think that you are. You know, it was like when I only dated goth girls. It’s a phase. You’ll be fine.

Tom: What!? What are you talking about?

Adam stands in between Tom and Jackson. Roy stands to the side, looking a bit disgusted.

Jackson: You’re not really gay.

Tom: How do you know?

Roy: How can you be sure that you are?

Tom: How are you sure that I’m not? Just because I watch sports and drink beer instead of wearing pastels and going shopping and drinking apple martinis does not mean I’m not gay. How are you so sure that you’re straight?

Jackson: (stuttering) Uh..well I just know. I was born this way.

Tom: So was I!

Jackson: No you weren’t.

Roy: It’s not the same thing.

Tom: How do you know?

Jackson: Because I just do!

Tom: Well, I know!

Jackson: No you don’t! It’s not the same thing!

Tom: How? How is this not the same thing? What makes this so different from anything else? Just because I like boys does not mean that I am tainted or demon spawn or evil. I’m still your best friend.

Jackson: Stay away from me! Are you in love with me?

Tom: No, you moron.

Jackson: Is that why you wanted to tell me?

Tom: No, Jackson…

Jackson: No. No man! I like girls.

Tom: I know. Jackson!

Jackson: What? You know what? Stay away from me, homo.

Roy: Yeah, just back off. And don’t even think about coming to practice tonight.

Jackson: Or ever.

Tom: Really?

Jackson: That’s what you are, isn’t it? That thing you are that you are so proud of. Creep (or Freak)

Roy: Dude, let’s get out of here. I can’t be around it.

Jackson: How can someone be proud of being something like...that?

Tom: Being something like that? I went from their best friend to “it” in 5 seconds just because I came out to them. Jackson and Roy, who have been my best friend since I can remember. We did everything together. We live in the same neighborhood. Well, most people in our school, admittedly does. But I stood next to Roy when he broke his leg. I was the one who let Jackson cheat off of me all through freshman English so that he wouldn’t have to take remedial classes.

And this is how they act. I get it. It’s a lot to take in all at once. But do they really have to talk like that. I am gay, okay? I know it. I didn’t chose to be gay. It’s who I am. And, yes, I know what they say or do to people who are homosexual or transexual. I watch tv and I’ve read the bible even though I’m not religious. But that’s why I was so hesitant to coming out. I was scared of what would happen. I was scared that this would happen. No one wants to lose all of their friends. No one wants to publicly hated. I don’t chose to something that will make people taunt me. I don’t want to go to hell. No one wants to go to hell. It’s not a fun place! But if I am to go there for who I am then so be it.

I have spent too much time in the shadows. I want to be proud of who I am. I am entitled to my own happiness as an American citizen. I am gay and that’s ok!

Jackson, Roy, and Adam unfreeze. Jackson and Roy walk off and Adam walks up to Tom.

Adam: Hey, man. Don’t worry about them. They were always butt faces.

Tom: I see that now.

Adam: You know it took a lot of guts to stand up for yourself and be proud of who you are.

Tom: Thanks.

Adam: No problem man. They just have to realize that there are gay people in the world. But I’d rather have a friend who’s gay then a friend who’s a narrow-minded jerk.

Tom: Me too.

Tom and Adam fist bump and then walk offstage talking about the softball game coming up. The lights dim.