From February 3rd, 1969, through the last day of my sophomore year in high school, I was called "Fairy Jerry," and also physically accosted on the playground (in elementary school), the dining halls, and even the high school library, where I often hid at lunch break to avoid a confrontation. It began on that day in 1969 because I had wept, openly, in class after having lost someone who was remote (in England) from me but very dear to me. I was often called "faggot," "queer," "lesbian" (in sixth period Geometry in high school; and that was by a neighbor) and "c--ks--k-r."
I believe this almost constant harassment, and the dread it created in me, might have damaged me. And, after it stopped, it left me with a feeling of worthlessness. Still, my Saviour sent assistance, on Saturday, July 10th, 1976, at dusk when BlueShift, whom I loved, helped me to find the c.b. handle Starwatcher, which has evolved in this final stage of my life, to J-Called. As Starwatcher, I entered into a new and delightful identity (and BlueShift, when shoeless and shirtless, added to the delectation). When I was transported to, and left at, the college campus where I spent ten weeks apart from him, from my c.b., my dog (Monica), and the c.b. community of our local channel 22, the handle Starwatcher helped me face, surmount, and overcome new emotions I had never experienced before---far worse than anything the bullies of 1969-74 had done. Starwatcher was unto me a shield and shelter from that onslaught. And from it has evolved J-Called.
