My best gal pal invited me to the party at a house across town were her friends lived. They had a projector and had turned their living room into a mini theatre. Mostly I went because Charlotte and I hadn't chatted for ages and since I was only in town for a few days it was the best chance we had to catch up.
We arrived together in a cab and as we were walking up the drive way she mentioned almost as an afterthought, "These guys are mostly gay, is that ok?"
This was 25 years ago, and in my home town, and people still asked questions like this.
Charlotte was my best friend and I told her everything, mostly. But I hadn't yet told her about what happened to me a few weeks earlier as I was still coming to terms with it myself.
So I just shrugged and said sure, and hoped that the darkness hid the rich red blushing in my cheeks.
Here's the thing about a gay Star Wars party, it's like every other party you have ever been to except there are a few extra guys and a few less girls and maybe a couple of extra Mapplethorpe's on the wall.
Mostly though it was a group of friends chatting and drinking, and even though I was the outsider, and usually shy in these situations, the fact that it was mostly guys made it easier some how.
I had a few drinks, enough to be relaxed but no more than that, and chattered to Charlotte and most of her friends as they dropped in and out of the conversation. As the night went on I spent less time chatting with my friend and more time chatting with with hers.
Even so she was a little surprised when she told me she had to leave to meet some other people and I said I would stay. But I was probably more surprised myself.
She kissed me on the cheek, and whispered in my ear "You behave, and don't go all gay on me," and she was delighted by my embarrassment.
The party was already winding down when she left, there was a just a handful of people, and pretty soon just three, the couple, Danny and Vince who lived in the house and wore short matching beards, and Billy who knew Charlotte but only slightly from classes at the Uni.
I was on the sofa, sitting between Danny and Vince chatting away about Uni when Danny laughed and said, "Look out" and I looked up to see Billy walk into the room wearing only a towel, and obviously freshly showered.
"In your dream's mate" Billy shot back before throwing a smile at me and saying to his friends, "Don't frighten the straight boy."
For the third time that night I blushed crimson red which Vince found hilarious. Danny put his hand on my thigh and squeezed a little harder than necessary. I liked the way it felt and I was scared I might start to show my arousal.
I was convinced he could read my thoughts.