how has EC, friends, etc. been helpful to you in dealing with being gay?

I found wonderful friends through here that really related to me. I kind of feel like we're a type of family here. =]

 

I definitely agree with you Cap'n, I think this really is a sort of family. Through here I've met a ton of really cool people who've all been really supportive through everything. It's funny, 'cause today I was reading a newspaper advice column, and it looked JUST like some of the responses here, only not as personal.

As for friends, they've been great too, just acting as an outlet so I can be like "wow, he is really hot!" without any worry and actually have someone agree with me. Although, whenever I've needed to complain about my friends, EC's always been here :icon_bigg.

 

Ditto X1000

 

Well, EC has been really nice for just learning that there were people that were going through some of the same things as me. It has been really nice to be able to come here and get advice on an issue I've been having, or listen to other people's opinions on some issues they've been having.

Friends are really great when you just want to rant. As great as EC is, it has been extremely helpful for me to have people that I can talk to, one-on-one, in real life. When you want a shoulder to cry on (or just rant to), its really nice to have an actual shoulder, and not just a virtual one.

 

What's that? You want to express what Empty Closets means to you?:icon_wink

Then check out the competition currently being run!

ok ok that was trying pretty hard to promote the comp

On topic: To me empty closets was a place where I could vent all my emotions anonymously. It gave me a sort of peace, knowing that I wasn't the only one experiencing the issues that I went through.

It also gave me a sense of pride in that being gay is who I am, and not something that needs to be hidden.

 

If it weren't for EC, I would never have had the courage to come out to my dad last night, and maybe never. Had I not found this place when I did, almost a year ago, I would almost definitely be on medication, and, well I just don't want to think about how bad things could have been over the last year without EC.

This place is my everything right now. I can always come here to just let it all out, and coming out wouldn't be half the fun if I didn't have anyone to tell :icon_bigg

 

Oh yes, it's always nice to have a place to tell people about your latest coming out endeavors.

 

EC was a tremendous help in the last year while I was coming out for the first time. It was like having real life coming out buddies, not just a written guide (although the one here is very good). From all over the world, EC offers a chance to share mutual experiences and help each other when there might not be anyone you can talk to locally.

I’ve also found EC to be entertaining and the advice to be amazingly sound. Being a fan of humor and satire, I also enjoy the posts on the lighter side. Just reading some of the success stories can brighten your day (like Brenton finally telling his dad). Shit, I think I was happier than he was. And I’m sure this site has undoubtedly kept someone from committing suicide or helped relieve a case of depression. I would certainly miss EC if it ever disappeared because some censor decided that the subjects discussed here should not be available to young people. Last but not least, the mods do a great job of directing traffic and “moderating”.

 

I would have to agree with the general feelings in this thread. I came across this site when reading through the usenet group soc.support.youth.gay-lesbian-bi, which has almost no traffic and is shutting down. Anyways, I found this site a lot more helpful then anything I've googled myself. While it didn't save me from suicide, it was helpful at a time that I've pretty much found myself *wanting* to come out but need a little support. I've found this forum good just as a bit of encouragement to see how people in situations very similar to myself have dealt with it.

Although I haven't posted a lot here, I have read a lot, and I've been in IMing a couple people from here who are in situations similar to myself, and it's just useful to be able to vent, etc to someone similar to yourself.

 

I'm not out yet to anyone I know. But hopefully when I am, my friends will be very accepting.

 

This is a brilliant thread - thanks for starting it Sam!

As one who helps to run the place and who has been out for many years before it existed, I obviously have a different perspective.

What I see time and time again here is the realisation that people are not alone with this. Having contact with other people who are in the same situation and going through the sort of same things really helps.

When I first started coming out I met a guy named Nick who was also just starting to come out. He was 10 years younger and nothing happened between us, but we did a lot of things together and gave each other a huge amount of support. It's just having someone there who understands what you are going through because they are going through the same thing.

This is the aim for EC, and it seems to be working. Everyone here supports everyone else, which is wonderful!

I don't post as often here, because I think the excellent support from those who are in a similar situation now is probably more valuable and relevant than the comments of someone who was there over 15 years ago. I still post when I think I have something useful to add though.

Thanks all, for making EC the great place it is.

 

This sight is so great. I have been through a three year depression and it just warms my heart to know there are people just like me out there. And there are so many awesome people, and everyoen is just so accepting. I would never find a place anywhere else that is like this. Its almost like a second home.

 

Yup - I'll echo Paul on this one.

It's fantastic to see how friendly and supportive this place has become - and how much good and helpful stuff gets posted by so many people.

I also have to throw some kudos at Paul and Dave as well. Paul has done a fantastic job (plus put in a hell of a lot of work and some expense of his own) and really made things happen here. I doubt if many people here now know that if it were not for his comments, as a poster, to the site owners on another (Adult) forum - and the fact that he was prepared to back his opinions with a considerable amount of time and effort - EC probably wouldn't have gotten off the ground.

As for Dave - well I keep reading some of the advice that he gives - and sort of have to pinch myself because not only is it so well thought out and mature but also, because he has just turned 18 and is well through his own coming out process, he is so in tune with a large number of the people visiting here. The result is that he posts stuff that is a lot of good sense - but also VERY relevant and appropriate.

Oh – and I should mention how much both of them did on the Blog and Gallery stuff. I am so “non geek” – I was totally useless for all that.

For me...well, as I said to the guys the other day...Paul is the one who "administers", Dave does the "moderating" and...well, I just sort of "sit around and supervise" hehe.

Nevertheless - seeing a thread like this makes me feel good too! So thanks to everyone for the kind words - and more importantly for the contribution you ALL make.

 

Aw *blush*

To be fair there is a lot of amazing advice given on these forums from so many different posters. It's become a really good reference too. Chances are if you have a problem, someone else has already had a similar one, and you can learn from their experiences as well.

Yeah that did take a while - but it was totally worth it. The galleries and blogs are pretty awesome. Kudos to Joe (site_developer) for putting it together for us.

 

This has been the first gay site that I have been to (that was not about sex and porn!!!). People were really nice here when I first came. I hadn't find a group where gay people could just come and hang out previous to finding this board.

Now that I'm in college, I found a support group, but even they aren't as warm as the people here. In fact, they're not warm people at all! LOL! So I'm really glad I found this place.

I created a thread in response to this with a bit more information, incase anyone's interested. Although, it does also go into another topic other than about this board.

 

Alright.. As a newbie, I am pleased that the posts and threads on this site seem real.. I am with LowestVocal on the fact that this is one of the first sites for support that I found,, that isn't centered on sex and porn. The internet has given me a warped sense of being gay.. This site has already been helpful.
I read posts and think.. MMMM that is what I am going through.. I am a late bloomer, but someone has already mentioned to me- Better late than never. I am not sure how things are going to work out. But it looks like EC will be part of my experience..

For that I thank all of you...

 

although iv had fun and such with this i have to be honist


if i could id still turn full on str8 with no slight intrest in guys... in a heartbeat...



but this has been fun reading and talking to otheer people who can understand what iv been going threw n such



this site has been a great thing

 

Will1975 and LowestVocal017 - I have moved a couple of your posts over to Will's intro thread here http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1048 as they really belong there.

It helps keep this thread on-topic too.