I started to drift into Goth in HS, because I didn't fit anywhere else. Most of my friends were tech nerds or drama geeks, but I was a bit too extreme even for a lot of them. I first discovered it all through some (non-Gothik) friends who recommended the newly-popular Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson to me, I was hooked from there on in. The music was a perfect reflection of everything I felt inside, the pain and the rage and the sick euphoria. Then I started wearing black and trench coats and growing my hair out, because it made me look better than the clothes my mom bought me. Everyone started calling me a 'Goth' and I honestly wasn't quite sure what they meant. I didn't meet most of the other Goths in my city or going to club nights until I was in University. When I did, though, I found I fit in perfectly even though I knew almost nothing about the wider kultur or ideals. I also learned that I do enjoy dancing, as long as it's to the right kind of music...
What's the deal? Hard to say. Ask 10 different Goths what it's all about, and you'll get 20 different answers.
To me, it's all about seeing beauty in darkness, seeking out the shadows others avoid, becoming comfortable with them and making them your friends. It's also about freedom. When I started CDing, my Goth friends were the only people I know who accepted it without reservation. As a general group, Goths are the most accepting tolerant people I've met anywhere - even of self-destruction (some might say especially of self-destruction). But you can't stop someone from destroying themself, if they're really bound and determined. The best you can do is look out for each other and do your best to make sure that, when someone goes, they don't take you or anyone you love out with them.
Amelie-Laveau is onto something with that 'walking oxymoron' thing. Our very being invites attention, yet we react violently to intrusive attention; we'll tolerate so many practices that others would revile, but refuse to tolerate control or attacks on us (individually or as a group); many of us are deeply spiritual, but have no use for religion; deeply individualistic, yet also deeply identified with one peer-group; willing to accept anyone for who they are, yet capable of detecting an InstaGoth at 100 paces, and resentful of the fakeness. We skate the thin edge of madness and suicide, yet many of us are (IMHO) mentally healthier than a lot of 'normals', because we at least will admit that we're broken souls. Angry music makes us happy; happy music makes us angry. And of course we can put more variety into black and white than a lot of people have in a wardrobe full of colours! Walking oxymorons indeed....
PS I would also like the URL of that TransGoth site, if you don't mind, Alexandra...
"There's something wrong with him. He should be mine, but he's not. His madness... his madness keeps him sane..."
Delirium, 'the Sandman', Niel Gaiman
INSANE GOTHIK DIVA SYNDROME
To me you get the coolest clothing, the ability to make black a desirable fashion, great makeup, and a mystique. That so rocks! 
How'd you get there?
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@#%*&^ 
)))))