When I Knew is a quick read, a collection of anecdotes and stories from people when they first discovered they were gay. Entertainers, writers, designers, as well as executives, politicians and sports coaches. Put together by photographer and director Robert Tractenberg, some are one page paragraphs, and others are a few pages long. Smart, hilarious and poignant, they fall into the categories of When I Knew, When My Parents Knew, When Everyone Else Knew, and the occasional coming out story.
HBO has made a documentary of the book, and it's currently on Netflix.
Teacher Michael Frank says "When I was ten, I would put on my Mother's leather evening gloves - they came all the way up to my elbows. I would sing "Diamonds are a girl's best friend" into the mirror. One day my Mother walked in and caught me mid-song - I tried to cover, screaming out, "To the Bat Cave, Robin!". Writer Kate Neilsen had her mother take her back several times to see The Sound Of Music ~ her mother thought she wanted to be a Nun, not be Christopher Plummer so she could be with a Nun! The stories are varied and entertaining. It's nice to hear upbeat coming out stories, a positive trend.
I'm not around kids very much, but for me, there seems to be a time when you are naturally outgoing, and expressing yourself without reservations. When you know you are different than other boys and girls, and you often have to tone that down, appear interested in things your gender is interested in. When we are grown up, we celebrate people who are different, but it's often hard to be yourself when you are a kid. It gets better!
I mentioned this book to a friend of mine, as it reminded me of her. She's not gay, and doesn't have gay kids, but this appeals to people who have a childlike light and enthusiasm. We should all encourage creativity and discovery in kids, knowing it's fun, fine, and natural to explore. Anything that encourages kids (and people) to offer their true selves should be encouraged.
I highly recommend When I Knew for a good laugh, and a reminder of the unrestrained kid in all of us.
"To the Bat Cave, Robin!"
2005 / Paperback / 128 pages
Comments