The one real touchstone I caught before that life took over was the US version of Queer as Folk. It was my one glimpse into that world before I headed into a high-stakes, life-and-death career.
In that environment, you don’t have the luxury of the "standard" gay cultural upbringing—you’re focused on the mission and staying safe. I missed the "gay card" era because I was on the clock. I had the required skill set, and I was recruited. It’s the nature of the business.
When I came back, I tried to live like a normal person, but I was far from it. This stuff changes you. The person I used to be doesn't exist anymore. Re-integrating into the workforce was a transition with its own challenges and plenty of ups and downs.
I see why my "gay card" gets revoked often, haha. But reflecting on it now, I found love, built a life, and surmounted those challenges. I’m in a great place today. My path was different, but it led me exactly where I needed to be.
#Gay #Queer #GayBear #LifeStory #lgbt #Cybersecurity #Ottawa