Coming Out:
David's Story
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David Payne started to come out during his late teens and early twenties when he was in college. He cites this as a revolutionary time in his life because prior to this he held this part of his identity out of fear. However, coming out during a time where his other peers were also coming out showed him that he was not alone. He has not explicitly come out to his parents; however, he believes that his mother would be supportive of him because she is his champion. He is the youngest of 6 and was the third to graduate from college, after which he moved to Harrisburg, taking a job as an evening anchor and a control board operator. He hopped on any opportunities that came to him as he was not sure how many would come to him. His mother supported this mentality and told him “as long as I have a home, so do you.”
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David discusses the Harrisburg LGBTQ+ community in the 1980s.
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David discusses the lack of opportunity to come out and talk about his personal life at work.
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As technology developed and computers became more mainstream his job became obsolete, and he found another opportunity in radio in Rehoboth, DE. Rehoboth had a much more visible gay community with places to go and people were much more willing to help him understand his identity there. He also got involved with and joined the board of a local organization dedicated to fighting AIDS. Eventually he came back to Harrisburg and worked for a news network that aired in central PA. Having known this area due to growing up here, he could tailor the news to these areas. He was not out at work as there were not many opportunities to talk about his personal life. However, it was not necessarily a secret as he was seen singing in the Harrisburg Men’s Chorus at the Gay and Lesbian Pride Festival of Central PA at Reservoir Park in Harrisburg. His boss made mention of this sighting and moved passed it.
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He says he was fortunate to not lose his job as there was no state-wide anti-discrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ people, only some municipalities in PA have these laws. He has strayed away from religion due to its historically difficult relationship with the LGBTQ+ community, however, he recommends the Metropolitan Community Church or any other affirming church for LGBTQ+ community members that are still looking to be spiritual. He also spent a considerable amount of time working with Common Roads, an organization that works with LGBTQ+ youth. While he loves Harrisburg, he says that it could still stand to increase the protections they provide to the LGBTQ+ community.
A photo of David at the 1994 Pride Festival
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David discusses the MCC and how LGBTQ+ people can still be spiritual
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