Going to a PFLAG meeting next week - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

**EM68** · 20th Jul 2008, 06:14 AM

Next Monday night I am going to my first PFLAG meeting. I am nervous but yet looking forward to going. I am definitely going I have no doubt. It is one thing talking to you guys on this site but to talk about my sexuality in front of other people its something else. I have no doubts that I am gay thats not the reason. I have always been able to express my feelings but somehow this is different. Any advise?

s5m1 · 20th Jul 2008, 07:13 AM

That's great to hear. Just be yourself. You may be a little nervous, but I think you will feel so liberated once you go. There may be others there too for the first time who will also be nervous. This could be a nice opportunity to meet other gay men and make friends. I have found that locating other gay men to talk to was very helpful for me. It should be worth the effort. As I acknowledge I am gay more and more and in more public settings, I feel better and better about being gay. Please let us know how it goes.

20th Jul 2008, 07:43 AM

sorry no advice, but good luck! Ill keep my fingers crossed for you..

**Lexington** · 20th Jul 2008, 08:03 AM

Not much advice either, as I've never been to one. You may be asked to introduce yourself, and feel free to keep it short and sweet. Just tell them you're still working on it all, and would rather mainly watch and listen for your first time. THey should be cool with that. But feel free to speak up and throw your two cents in when you feel like it.

Lex

**Martin** · 20th Jul 2008, 09:05 AM

You could ask Becky. She is our resident PFLAG expert.

Good Luckski!

the ry guy · 20th Jul 2008, 08:25 PM

i went to my first one last month and it was fucking awesome

, i was nervous as hell but the people hosting it actually seemed more nervous so i felt a little better they were very accomodating it was also very liberating finally being able to talk to other people about being bi and i even made new friends, that was just me everyone has different experiences but i think you'll like it. good times

beckyg · 20th Jul 2008, 09:27 PM

PFLAG meetings are so welcoming. They will be thrilled to have you! Try not to get nervous. We do our best to make people feel comfortable. Remember that PFLAG meetings are confidential so you can talk without feeling like somebody is going to blab everything you said to somebody outside the meeting. Everything will be fine.

**EM68** · 21st Jul 2008, 02:40 PM

Thanks for the advice. I can not wait.

20th Jul 2008, 06:14 AM	#1
EM68 Happily Married! :) EC Moderator Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out and about. Location: Stoughton, Massachusetts USA Age: 43 Posts: 4,288 Join Date: Jun 2008	Going to a PFLAG meeting next week Next Monday night I am going to my first PFLAG meeting. I am nervous but yet looking forward to going. I am definitely going I have no doubt. It is one thing talking to you guys on this site but to talk about my sexuality in front of other people its something else. I have no doubts that I am gay thats not the reason. I have always been able to express my feelings but somehow this is different. Any advise? Last edited by EM68; 20th Jul 2008 at 06:17 AM..

20th Jul 2008, 07:13 AM	#2
s5m1 Gay and Couldn't be Happier! Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Maryland Age: 46 Posts: 861 Join Date: Dec 2007	Re: Going to a PFLAG meeting next week That's great to hear. Just be yourself. You may be a little nervous, but I think you will feel so liberated once you go. There may be others there too for the first time who will also be nervous. This could be a nice opportunity to meet other gay men and make friends. I have found that locating other gay men to talk to was very helpful for me. It should be worth the effort. As I acknowledge I am gay more and more and in more public settings, I feel better and better about being gay. Please let us know how it goes.

20th Jul 2008, 07:43 AM	#3
Leigh Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Going to a PFLAG meeting next week sorry no advice, but good luck! Ill keep my fingers crossed for you..

20th Jul 2008, 08:03 AM	#4
Lexington The gay gargoyle EC Advisor Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Colorado Age: 42 Posts: 12,370 Join Date: Dec 2007	Re: Going to a PFLAG meeting next week Not much advice either, as I've never been to one. You may be asked to introduce yourself, and feel free to keep it short and sweet. Just tell them you're still working on it all, and would rather mainly watch and listen for your first time. THey should be cool with that. But feel free to speak up and throw your two cents in when you feel like it. Lex

20th Jul 2008, 09:05 AM	#5
Martin EC's Red Queen EC Admin Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Some people Location: Merseyside, UK Age: 21 Posts: 8,032 Join Date: Nov 2007	Re: Going to a PFLAG meeting next week You could ask Becky. She is our resident PFLAG expert. Good Luckski! __________________ The blue whale ejaculates up to 40 gallons during sexual intercourse, but only 10 gallons enters the female. Do you still wonder why the sea tastes salty?

20th Jul 2008, 08:25 PM	#6
the ry guy Resident Gun owner Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Bisexual Out Status: A few people Location: Chicago, IL Age: 27 Posts: 388 Join Date: Jul 2008	Re: Going to a PFLAG meeting next week i went to my first one last month and it was fucking awesome, i was nervous as hell but the people hosting it actually seemed more nervous so i felt a little better they were very accomodating it was also very liberating finally being able to talk to other people about being bi and i even made new friends, that was just me everyone has different experiences but i think you'll like it. good times

20th Jul 2008, 09:27 PM	#7
beckyg PFLAG Mom Community Liaison Gender: Female Orientation: Straight Out Status: Out to everyone/Yes, parents come out too! Location: Middle of Oregon Age: 50 Posts: 7,572 Join Date: Mar 2007	Re: Going to a PFLAG meeting next week PFLAG meetings are so welcoming. They will be thrilled to have you! Try not to get nervous. We do our best to make people feel comfortable. Remember that PFLAG meetings are confidential so you can talk without feeling like somebody is going to blab everything you said to somebody outside the meeting. Everything will be fine. __________________ "When we're free to love anyone we choose, When this worlds big enough for all different views, When we're all free to worship from our own kind of pew, Then we shall be free" ~ Garth Brooks

21st Jul 2008, 02:40 PM	#8
EM68 Happily Married! :) EC Moderator Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out and about. Location: Stoughton, Massachusetts USA Age: 43 Posts: 4,288 Join Date: Jun 2008	Re: Going to a PFLAG meeting next week Thanks for the advice. I can not wait.

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