Presenting myself

In conversation with a local friend, whose identity I will conceal because I’m going to say some nice things about them that might embarrass them … I’m trying to think of ways to tell people that I aim to be outrageous but not threatening. Maybe even admit that I think every organization should have at least one highly visible fag, because we’re so decorative.* Actually, a fair number of people will find me threatening and contemptible and will wish me ill (a startling number will wish me dead). A hard fact, but the real world. Defending myself against them takes a good bit of care and real work. I have to figure everybody out. You got weighed in the balance like everyone else I meet — and showed me your character when we first met. You deserve praise (and thanks) for being who you are, and it’s a mark of this character that you now will not understand why I’m thanking you. And you will think, sweetly, that if other people just get to know me, they will like me. I have already baffled…