2G3 – Fated Reality, Part 2
In June 2009, Thomas and David went on their first date. Thomas recalls: “I had butterflies in my stomach from the moment I walked into the cafeteria. It was not a bad nervousness, rather the excited nervousness that you feel when you are a kid and you can go to an amusement park.” David lived in. about 40 minutes from Thomas, so even though they spoke regularly on the phone, they only had one date a week for the next three weeks. However, by date three, they knew they wanted to be a couple.
David Coley grew up in Jacksonville, FL most of his life. When she was in her early twenties, she briefly lived with her sister in Kansas, but eventually her family moved to North Carolina. Growing up, David was raised in a very strict Pentecostal home. His mother raised him on her own. Although he always felt differently, from a young age he was told that it was not acceptable to act feminine. He remembers his mother occasionally pulling him aside and telling him not to “walk a certain way” or not to “speak a certain way.” His mother did not think about these trends other than the fact that David was almost always surrounded by women and had few male role models. However, David got the message that it was not acceptable for him to express himself in any way that could be perceived as female or gay. He concealed his sexuality and dated women to keep up appearances.
Today, David has gone beyond his upbringing to become the self-described, “Diva of the group.” She likes fashion and is self-taught to sew and design clothes. While you don’t do this professionally, you are talented enough to be approached by friends and family to design custom dresses for them.
David remembers his version of his first encounter with Thomas and the butterflies he felt. Dani intervenes: “They weren’t butterflies, they were bats!” David was so amazed at how handsome Thomas was. He thought, “I usually hang out with geeky guys. Thomas is more of the good-looking classic guy. When I first saw him, he probably had a disgusted expression on my face. I was so surprised it was him.” David had the same instant connection to Thomas. It just felt good.
Dani is the third person in 2G3. Dani grew up moving around the country with her parents. The longest place he has lived is Raleigh. Dani and David met working together at Best Buy. They were both store merchants on the same team. Dani is a straight woman, and in David’s words, “The very definition of a queer witch.” As she describes herself as “Tom Boy”, Dani thinks it is more natural for her to be friends with other men than with women.
Dani met Thomas, on David and Thomas’ first date. David and Thomas had just gone to the movies at the local mall and Dani ran into them outside. She instantly ran to Thomas and gave him a big hug. Thomas recalls that while he’s not used to such immediate affection, it just felt natural. He formed an instant bond with Dani.
The three members of 2G3, never intended to end up in Raleigh, North Carolina, but it seems like fate brought them all together there. Just by talking to them, it’s hard to believe they haven’t been friends for years. If you ever believed soulmates would meet, the three of you have created a unique soul family together.
As gay men and women, we often don’t have families that we can trust and count on. Through our lives we meet our own families. These are the people who, although not related to us by blood, are related to us on a much deeper level. They are the people with whom we feel a connection deep down in our souls.
What’s remarkable about 2G3 is how identifiable they are with everyone else. When you look at them, you think: “This is how it is when I am with my friends.”
Along with their reality show aspirations, both Dani and Thomas are writers and hope to one day write a published novel. David hopes to one day make a career in fashion.