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Living Library!

Discussion in 'Coming Out Stories' started by Miranda, May 1, 2012.

  1. Miranda

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    Hi all :icon_bigg

    I ended my questioning 6 months ago and told my closest friends and family that I'm gay. However, though I am not hiding, I simply don't mention it loud so most people (including some close friends) still don't know that I'm gay. As I don't act so gay, so it doesn't seem that people guess it.

    Recently, I was thinking more and more about it. I'm like exploding! I want to talk about what I feel and to tell people it's not wrong to be a gay! But I have a very few friends I can sincerely talk about this issues. Unfortunately the LGBT club has not active since I come out, and I didn't contact with any members so I feel isolated. I also haven't had the courage to be out somehow.

    Then, I've found a real challenge: Being a "book" in Living Library!

    "Living Library" is a project to decrease the prejudice and ignorance towards the people because of their ethnic, cultural or sexual identities. In the Living Library, people are "books", readers reserve a book and "read" it by talking to the book.

    My activist side was still roaring when I read in the school newspaper that Living Library will held in Spring Fest, like previous fests. Then I felt the courage and say, "Well, I'll be there!" :king: So I will be one of the gay books in the event next week! :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:ride:

    That's a very good opportunity to be out without having awkward conversations. I wonder my friends' reactions when they just figure out why I'm there! And it will also feed my activist side and do what I want for a long time - talk to people about it.

    I'm still afraid of the rumors, being alienated and labeled as a jerk, but I feel like withstand it :icon_bigg I also don't tell it my parents who are still trying to tolerate it and don't want me to be out - I'm not used to hide anything from them :icon_sad:

    Wish me luck for the next Monday!
     
  2. SkyDiver

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    Good luck!! That sounds like a fantastic opportunity!
     
  3. Miranda

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    I think so :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes: I'm already very excited and waiting for Monday and Tuesday!
     
  4. Pain

    Pain Guest

    That sounds amazing! I wish there was something like that around here to do! Good luck!!! :grin:
     
  5. Miranda

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    Maybe it's time to organize one :slight_smile: If there are some organizations about human right issues and discrimination in your city/college (I guess there are), you may propose one. We need more activism against all kinds of discrimination! :rolleyes:
     
  6. Pain

    Pain Guest

    Huh... that would be so awesome :slight_smile: Might have to take that advice....
     
  7. Miranda

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    Then, there are only some hours left for Living Library, I'm extremely thrilled! :eusa_shif
    Today we painted the canvas banners, they are beautiful :icon_bigg
    In 12 hours, I will be talking to the curious people as a gay "book", and probably I'll shock many friends because there are few I'm already out. :jawdrop:
    I'm just curious that what silly questions I'll be asked and the response of my friends if they coincide and realize why I'm here!

    Wish me luck! :icon_bigg
     
  8. Miranda

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    Whoaaaa!!! Living Library is now over, and the event was a total success!

    I was extra anxious and excited when the time has come - I was never such open, even being open to the organization team was a great leap for me :eek: We were three gay books, and many others like a schizophrenic, atheist, convert, transexual, sex worker were ready.

    All my anxiety faded when we started, and in two days I talked to many, many people. They asked about my coming out process, being gay, the reactions of my friends and family and discrimination. I also said I just didn't want to be labeled as "the gay guy" while my other qualities were ignored, and so on. All people I talked are so supportive, actually the ones with prejudices weren't around me. When they learned I became open here, all were amazed that how bold I was (actually, I was amazed, too :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:). I also met a girl who is in the closet (then we became friends :slight_smile: ) and another one who is questioning, hoping that I helped them a lot.

    Then, many friends came across me, and know about me now. They all said, "Wow, then you are in the organization team, right?" and I said, "Ummm, yep - actually, I'm a book..." "What?! Which book then? *puzzled look*" then, the shock! :eek: But all were really supportive, hopefully they were somehow close friends and knew enough about me. When 3 good friends of me came in the end of the first day, it was a real challenge for me but I managed to keep calm! :icon_bigg They listened to me for a long time and seemed very comfortable about me!

    When I was talking to a group, I saw my lab pair was around, we met in the lab only 2 months ago and see each other mostly in the lab. When I finished talking, I said "Hi" to him. I waited a typical response, but he just started, "Hey, you just haven't seemed like a gay! Wow!" and I could just say, "How could you...", he replied, "I listened to you :thumbsup:". Hmmm. :confused: Then, continued, "I was really impressed for your courage. As if all people like you could do it. I was really proud of you!" - and I was like crying, "Oh, really!!!! Well, then... (*hug*)".

    So, now I'm really out to the campus (though the rumors aren't spread yet)! And I also made many friends, including some gays who were around (I was outside of the range of the gay people in campus because I was open to only closed friends.), learned many things from the books, and the most important, I got the courage to be open! I feel soo happy and confident! (!)
     
  9. Sadepeura

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    That sounds awesome! Congratulations! This is such a great and inspiring story and I really admire your courage! :grin:
     
  10. TheEdend

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    That is freaking AMAZING!! Go you and really happy that you had such an awesome experience with it all :slight_smile:

    It really is one of the greatest experiences to be so open with total strangers and know that you are making a difference to some people. I'm so excited for you!

    And when the rumors come if, if they do come in, I can almost guarantee you that the postive comments and positive people in your life will outweigh everything else.

    Congrats and I'm totally stealing the idea of the library! :slight_smile:
     
  11. Miranda

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    Thanks for your responses!

    And, well - I hope so :slight_smile: