Page 126 of The Black Flamingo

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“For what I said at the club.

I didn’t realize how offensive

I was being. My girlfriend—

yes, I said girlfriend—

Chloe explained to me

it was because I was in denial

about my sexuality.

Chloe’s amazing, I met her

on my first day here

and we’ve been inseparable

for the past six weeks

and yesterday I told her

about our argument.

I told her what I said, even

though I was embarrassed.

I think I needed to come out

to her about it, you know?

I already knew what I said

was awful. I’m sorry, Michael.

Chloe said that I said

what I said because of

internalized homophobia.

That I was homophobic

toward myself as well

as toward you. I think

that’s what Chloe said.

Does that make sense?”

It does kind of make sense

and I’m relieved, in a way.

It turns out my homophobic

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