Both the bad and good times of being out have helped me develop into the woman I am today. I think there are so many things that I've learned from being out. 1) What it feels like to feel incredibly misunderstood, rejected and depressed to the point where you don't want to wake up the next morning. Now, you might think that this is a bad thing, but really it has helped me enjoy the uneventful pleasant days so much more. 2) To not speak OVER other people and just sit and listen 3) To try to be as inclusive as possible 4) How to navigate the world when you find that there is minimal support 5) How to voice my opinion when being pushed down 6) HOW MUCH society has a tremendous influence on our thoughts....and how society does put pressure on people to fit into boxes.....I learned to question norms etc.
I feel like it's definitely had an effect on helping me to be inclusive, open-minded, empathetic, and to be okay with being different and to embrace differences, for the most part.
Basically all that you guys said already plus I've learned to despise and question stereotypes (esp. regarding gender) and become better at accepting change and uniqueness, I guess.
That nearly everyone derseves respect and that everyone is a human being who suffers and feels pleasure in the same way you do. That deep down whether your gay,straight,asian, muslim ...etc people just want to be loved and to do what they love.
what a beautiful thread. a) people will always find a reason to hate you b) "once you hit rock bottom the only way is up" c) life is an individual's journey and there was one more which i've only just forgotten
I'm still learning, as I've only truly accepted myself relatively recently. But I have learned that the world keeps turning and I'm still the same person that I've always been, which for a long time was my biggest fear.
Well, it shows that you know what it feels like to be rejected, LGBT have a tendency (now, I'm not being stereotypical, it's just my views) to be more accepting and open. Being queer has taught me that boundaries are nothing.
Wonderful. :icon_wink ---------- Post added 26th Nov 2013 at 06:15 PM ---------- I can't begin to enumerate... still learning. Being so much--or feeling so much more myself, it's easier to be the kind of person I most respect. Or a little more so. May not seem like something that belongs here, but... I'm a vegetarian, and am deeply convinced that eating animals is bad for our health--of our persons, and of the planet. What have I learned? That I can cook diner for my meat eating friends (four and two legged) and enjoy it (serving it, not eating it!)... and feel no need to lecture them. I really don't like the whole drive for marriage equality. It's a bribe to join an institution of our oppressors in exchange for benefits and rights we should all have regardless of marital state. Keep the State out of marriage! What have I learned? That if invited to a wedding, I'll dance and celebrate and be happy with the newly weds, with no need to lecture. If they know me, they'll know my opinions. And if they want to discuss it--great! This doesn't sound like much, or something that's related to coming out. But it is. Both. It's a major personality shift for me, and it's all about becoming who and what I most truly am.
What unconditional means to each person. It also taught me that people are not what they seem, sometimes for worse, sometimes for better. When I came out to my boss at work, despite him being a bass boat owning, pickup truck driving, former tool and die guy, he just asked when to call me my name and what he could do to help. I regained a little hope that day!
This is awesome! My came out was a few years ago and facing with the negativities so far, I guess it I agree with your 1st and last point
To restate what others have said to be open-minded and more understanding of others I guess. I also had to learn how to think for myself and question the origin of my opinions ( like do I think this because i came to this conclusion or is this someone else's opinion). Not sure if I explained myself well enough.
1) How to be open-minded 2) How to speak passionately about topics I'm interested in 3) To be respectful 4) To be loud 5) to be interested 6) To not be afraid 7) to love 8) how to read between the lines 9) how to research 10) how to talk to many different people
How subjective life is To be open minded Awareness of all the social "norms" imposed To question To love and accept To learn about other people People are different How to cope How to help other people
