The Times of Harvey Milk

We must destroy the myths once and for all...we must continue to speak out, and most importantly, most importantly, every gay person must come out.
As difficult as it is, you must tell your immediate family, you must tell your relatives, you must tell your friends if indeed they are your friends, you must tell your neighbors, you must tell the people you work with, you must tell the people in the stores you shop in.
And once they realize that we are indeed their children and we are indeed everywhere, every myth, every lie, every innuendo will be destroyed once and for all.
And once you do, you will feel so much better.
--Harvey Milk

[Above: Harvey Milk helms San Francisco's 1978 Gay Freedom Parade]

Watching this film about Harvey Milk's life and death made me think-- most asexuals can pass indefinitely as overly picky, late-blooming heterosexuals. But should we? I won't wax on about how influential or inspirational Milk was; that's been done. But I'll pay my respects with something I'd like to think he might appreciate: A lists of ways to come out in the 21st century. Sitting the folks down for a chat is not only a little passe, but gut-wrenchingly difficult for most of us. So here are some more interesting and/or easier methods...

• Start an A-themed blog or website (hey, worked for me!).
• Circulate a link to AVEN.
• Use Facebook or Myspace.
• Make or buy a wristband, button, t-shirt, etc., and wait for someone to ask about it.
• Go on national TV, get interviewed for a magazine, go on a radio show, etc. Many have!
• Get an A-themed tattoo (I know of at least one person who has).
• Start a conversation about an A or maybe-A icon.
• Make your friends see the film Withnail and I, or any other film with an asexual theme, and use it as a springboard for discussion.
• Tell an asexual joke (I don't know any, but that doesn't stop you from inventing some).
• Write notes. Use "yes" "no" "maybe" boxes if that makes you comfortable.
• Valentine's Day swag is already in stores. What better gift then a big box of sweets with a card from "your favorite asexual"?

I'm sure there are many more original and post-modern ways to come out, but that's all I can think of right now. Feel free to add to the list. And when you come out, don't forget: all of us, the one percent and all our friends, are behind you every step of the way.