Jay T Bailey
Author
Game Writer
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: A Geek Growing Up Gay in the 90s
When your superpower is invisibility, how can you expect to be seen?
A decade of misperceptions. Don’t Ask.
An era of silence. Don’t Tell.
An epic battle of good and evil filled with humor, pain, loss, love, and triumph - Okay, a young, gay man’s journey of self-discovery in a society that demanded obscurity. A Geek Growing Up Gay in the 90s.
Follow the author from the time he comes out of the closet until he discovers how to love. Not just another man, but more importantly, himself. Without any examples, role models, or direction, Jay stumbles his way through a decade that devalued his voice and emerges a superhero - at least in his heart (or head).
The story follows a seemingly disjointed quest from Alaska to Texas, Washington State to Washington D.C., and parts in between. As Jay confronts goblins and princes, knights and rogues - even a monster or two - he discovers a universal truth; real power comes from being yourself.
Sometimes painful, oftentimes funny, but always real, the author shares the memories that influenced his growth into a proud, gay man. Finding the courage to share your voice is the greatest way to fight back against the oppressions of closeting conventions; and the best way to slay a dragon is to surround yourself with powerful friends.
Bio
Jay lives with his partner of 20 plus years and a couple of four-legged children - Juno (dog) and Bucky (cat) in the heart of the Texas Hill Country.
After growing up as a military brat and meandering through his 20s and 30s, Jay finally graduated summa cum laude from
the University of Wyoming with a BA in English.
Jay has a passion for writing (young adult, middle grade fiction, games) geek culture (comic books, science fiction, fantasy) gaming (board, tabletop, video), animation, astrology, and Texas wine.
“There is an art to flying... or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” ― Douglas Adams Life, the Universe and Everything