My NOH8 Photos 3501-3750
09/03/2013
- Cearan Henley
- My name is Cearan Henley. I live in Dallas with my partner of 11 years.
Growing up in a small Texas town, I was the typical violin-playing nerd that was picked on and made to feel "less than." I was called every name in the book because of my "sensitive" nature. I soon learned to hide my emotions and became an expert at putting on my "game face" every day. That's the worst part about being gay. It teaches that we must often lie about ourselves to survive.
After my mom died, I tried to surround myself, as best I could, with people who loved me. I made it through high school and achieved a scholarship to a Texas university. That was 1987 and HIV and AIDS were all anyone talked about. Most were scared, but gay people were terrified. I was terrified. I only dated one guy seriously in high school and college combined.
My college years were a blur as I gained my education and slowly accepted who I was and then began to come out to those I trusted. As I look back, I realize that my good friends were truly my saving grace. Finally, I made it through the "lost" years to fall in love and partner with a wonderful man. Now, things could not be better.
Was it the trial by fire that strengthened me? I don't know, but I'm glad to finally be on this side of the fence. My family has been supportive of me and my partner, but it took years to be comfortable enough in my own skin to let them in. During the ’90s, things began to change. It became easier for all of us to be honest. So, my adult life is obviously much different from my childhood.
I began to write in my 30s, and that has become much more than a hobby. Reading a book with realistic and interesting gay characters was something I never experienced. For the young adult readers of today I wanted to create gay characters to be the role models I never had. My first book for the teen audience is out now and features several gay characters. My novel is available in e-format and comes out in hardback the fall of 2013.
One premise in my book comes from life experience: We are all part of the organism called humanity, and we are all connected. The defining element in our lives is the ability to love. It is our one sacred task.
Cearan Henley
Author: 'Sons of the Ambrose'
www.facebook.com/CearanHenley2012
www.cearanhenley.com
Growing up in a small Texas town, I was the typical violin-playing nerd that was picked on and made to feel "less than." I was called every name in the book because of my "sensitive" nature. I soon learned to hide my emotions and became an expert at putting on my "game face" every day. That's the worst part about being gay. It teaches that we must often lie about ourselves to survive.
After my mom died, I tried to surround myself, as best I could, with people who loved me. I made it through high school and achieved a scholarship to a Texas university. That was 1987 and HIV and AIDS were all anyone talked about. Most were scared, but gay people were terrified. I was terrified. I only dated one guy seriously in high school and college combined.
My college years were a blur as I gained my education and slowly accepted who I was and then began to come out to those I trusted. As I look back, I realize that my good friends were truly my saving grace. Finally, I made it through the "lost" years to fall in love and partner with a wonderful man. Now, things could not be better.
Was it the trial by fire that strengthened me? I don't know, but I'm glad to finally be on this side of the fence. My family has been supportive of me and my partner, but it took years to be comfortable enough in my own skin to let them in. During the ’90s, things began to change. It became easier for all of us to be honest. So, my adult life is obviously much different from my childhood.
I began to write in my 30s, and that has become much more than a hobby. Reading a book with realistic and interesting gay characters was something I never experienced. For the young adult readers of today I wanted to create gay characters to be the role models I never had. My first book for the teen audience is out now and features several gay characters. My novel is available in e-format and comes out in hardback the fall of 2013.
One premise in my book comes from life experience: We are all part of the organism called humanity, and we are all connected. The defining element in our lives is the ability to love. It is our one sacred task.
Cearan Henley
Author: 'Sons of the Ambrose'
www.facebook.com/CearanHenley2012
www.cearanhenley.com
