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Unlike today, back when I was a teenager in the 1970s there were virtually no resources to seek for guidance or help, or just to talk.

Most residents of Ottawa reading this will find it hard to believe. But growing up, I was very shy and a bit of a loner, and very socially awkward. Even if I thought or knew that I was gay back then, making it known publicly would have been pretty daunting and lonely for a teenager in a new school.

Fast-forward to university, and the environment was much more liberal and open to those who were or thought they were gay, lesbian or transgender. Still, I was completely in the closet – too shy or reluctant to come to grips with my own sexuality.

Following graduation, I found myself thrust into my career, and for me, my job was my life.

My various jobs – both in and out of the political world – became my passion and were all-consuming.

I was elected to Ottawa City Council when I was 30, and for most of my public life, my sexuality was not an issue. It came up just once at an all-candidates meeting.

Photo by Chris Mikula / The Ottawa Citizen

I was running for the provincial legislature in 2003 and a known homophobic activist stood up and asked me if I was gay. There were jeers and shouts, and before I could answer, my NDP opponent snapped at the questioner and told them that anyone’s sexual preference had nothing to do with being a good MPP.

To this day, I’m not sure how I would have answered that question, but I am grateful to the NDP’s Marlene Rivier for her gutsy intervention.

As I look back over my life, and in hindsight, not coming out sooner was a big mistake on my part.

Most of my friends through the years got married and had kids, and they travelled down a separate road filled with family, soccer practices and their careers.