Confessions of a First Timer
By Marty Cummings
OUTSTANDING! Is all that I can say about my experience at the 2008 NABWMT convention. I had a terrific time at what , I hope, was my first of many annual NABWMT conventions in St. Louis, Missouri. I never thought in a million years that I would have the opportunity to be a part of or even yet attend a convention of this sort in the United States.
As I reflect on my childhood, I think of my upbringing as a gay child in a small, rural town in Georgia. I can remember being told that I would most certainly die and go to hell because of my lifestyle. I must admit that I was petrified! I wanted and tried so desperately to fit in with the norm. I learned to play basketball, date girls, and how to become someone that society wanted me to be.
Throughout this period of my life, I lost track of who I was as a person before I started on this journey of what we call life. I thank God for a strong will to make it, though the odds were stacked against me as a black gay man in a rural town of Georgia.
Now, however, my years of suffering and hiding the fact that I was gay are days of the past. I am proud that organizations such as NABWMT have paved the way for my coming out. I must admit that my outing to the world was a smooth transition because I had true friends and a family who will always love me unconditionally. Therefore, I can stand before the world today as a gay black man and know that it is okay.
I am so glad that I did attend the convention in St. Louis, even though this was a rather spur of the moment decision as I had only been introduced to and joined the Atlanta chapter of BWMT the previous week. At the convention, I met other members from across the U.S.and found that there are many of us who share similar beliefs and experiences.I really enjoyed the breakout sessions. They were very informative. The social events were warm and full of life. It was good to share a laugh and a story with such a diverse but similarly-minded group of people. As the convention came to an end, all I could think about was the next year's convention. See you guys in "the city of brotherly love!"
Side Note:Dr. Marty Cummings is a public school mathematics consultant and a college professor. Marty just joined the BWMT Atlanta chapter the week before the National Convention, not knowing anything about our organization and was in St Louis the very next week. As you can see he is already gearing up for next year's convention. We welcome one of our newest and undoubtedly most enthusiastic members.
Posted: modified by:Del Korte Modify date:2008-11-17 04:54:40