I’m a California transplant (from Orange County). I love city nightlife but the beach was always my escape. I grew up in Newport Beach, about five minutes from Balboa Island.

I decided to come to Florida for law school without knowing anyone here and hoped to start a new life (the plan was to come out as soon as I arrived…long story). I graduated from Nova Southeastern University’s law school in 2005 after being one of the last classes who could major in Pre-Law at UCLA before they eliminated the major. I live and work in Plantation, just outside Fort Lauderdale.

I preferred Orange County to L.A. when I was an undergrad, but almost anywhere in Southern California suits me. I love the fast pace and the constant action. Florida is too slow for me and I have to search for ways to stay busy or I fear I’ll turn into a Floridian (GASP! It is like my worst nightmare, to become one of the jaded people who live here).

I got involved with my first girlfriend just before our junior year of high school and we were together for almost two years, until we graduated. I had two boyfriends before Jody and both were miserable experiences. I didn’t consider myself gay at the time and never looked at anyone else while I was with my first gf.

It wasn’t until I got to UCLA that I recognized I am more comfortable with girls and trust them more. My closest friends know about me, but I’m out to others only on a need-to-know basis.

It has been 25 years since I first entered the relationship with Jody (my first gf). I am totally comfortable with who I am.

I would have considered myself one of the straightest people growing up. I never looked at girls “that way” and the thought of being with a girl didn’t interest me at all. But looking back I am pretty sure that was because I had heard my dad telling homophobic jokes for so long.