Hi everyone. Well just to give you some background information, I'm currently in Graduate school pursuing a degree in Jewish Education and Jewish Studies. I'm proud to be Jewish and it heavily influences the way I look at the world, even if it doesn't show up in my writing. I'm also very proud to be gay. There was a time when I would have actively shunned that title and what it meant, but in recent years I have come to love myself and all of the variations in creation. At times my poetry reflects my experiences and inner struggles in gay life, but since that is only one facet of my life, not all of my poetry is gay oriented, just written by a gay author.  I'm new to writing poetry, so I would greatly appreciate any encouragement or comments. Thanks.