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Dial-a-Gay-Atheist -- Many years ago, in the late 80s, I somehow came across the phone number for Dial-a-Gay-Atheist. As a kid, I loved taking my small weekly allowance (mostly from returned soda bottles) to a Hershey's chocolate bar and a Weekly World News. I would sit in the car reading fantastic tabloid stories while my mom shopped. I assume I found the number in the classifieds.

I remember calling and just being shocked and some of the stuff I was hearing. Despite not yet hitting my teen years, I had a pretty good idea I wasn't exactly straight -- so not only was this one of my first contacts with atheist, but also with gays.

There was a phone booth outside the grocery store and when my mom was inside, I would call the number to listen. I don't remember how I was making long distance calls, but I was a nosy kid and somehow figure out how to trick the phone into letting me connect for free.

I found myself so interested in what the strange voice said at the other end....but more than that, I remember it scared me a little. The guy (woman??) on the other end had a very effeminate and angry voice, but it was the voice of reason, action, and protest. I learned much by calling this number and I think it helped pave the way to have me question the beliefs into which I was encultured.

At the time, I think I had believed the number connected to some place in New York, but I just googled for it and found a "Dial-a-Gay-Atheist" in Texas. Maybe that's what I heard...probably so. Unfortunately, that number has been disconnected.

Anyone else remember this resource?

Scoobs 6 May 3
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A guy I work with now was on the cover once.

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Interesting story! Was it a changing recorded message, like phoning into a radio station, or someone talking live?

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