Volunteering for a Gay Hotline

I think that's really admirable of you. I hope you get some opportunities to make a positive impact in some lives I hope you'll let us know how it goes!

 

What a great idea - that's on my to-do list a bit further down the road as well. We later-in-life types have a unique viewpoint - we have the wisdom (or at least I hope so!) of our years, but our experiences are so much fresher than someone in their 50's who has been out for 30 years. I know I don't really have to tell you this, but please share with us how it goes!

 

I think this is incredible.

I dunno yet, but I think I would love to do something like this.
Maximum respect. Please share any stories and experiences that you feel like, I'd be really interested

 

Way to go - I did this in the past as well. During the training I learned a lot about myself as well and it's something I would recommend anyone to do, regardless if they wanted to be a volunteer or not. The listening will get easier in time, the intrinsic feeling to offer advice is difficult to stop. You can do it And you'll be wonderful at it too.

 

Ooooh yeah. Even when someone actually ASKS for it!!!!

 

Proud of you gw!!! (*hug*)(!)

 

I think what you are doing is wonderful, Greatwhale. I called a LGBT hotline when I was beyond feeling lost and so alone. I needed to tell someone. The voice on the other end spoke to me in such a caring, genuine way and that alone gave me great comfort. I think as a compassionate person, it is natural to want to help someone through their pain. So a few suggestions were offered but basically the angel on the other end of the phone just listened. Listened and comforted me. He helped me hear my own voice...which has been silenced for way too long. This change in my life, at this point in my life, is so scary but I'm excited too. I'm taking baby steps at this point and am so thankful to that person that picked up the phone that night. So, many, many thanks to you and the others that are there for us, simply because you care.

 

Thank you Greatwhale on behalf of every LGBT and questioning person out there

 

Kudos to you Greatwhale! I say it all the time, volunteerism is the way to go.
And what better way to do it than offer your skills and talents as a gift to a cause that is close to your heart.

You're going to be an incredible asset to the organization and your community!

 

Way to go GW! A volunteer at the main national gay hotline here in the US was the first person I ever came out to. He turned out to be even "later in life" than me and was a real help. (Side story... I actually bought a prepaid cell phone just to make the call since I was so paranoid about being discovered. Not having to worry about secrecy so much has been one early benefit of starting to come out.)

Anyhow, I called the hotline again a few weeks later when I was down and got another really helpful volunteer. I know whoever is lucky enough to get you on the line will be in good hands.

 

That is really awesome. I think you would be great at it too. I know I appreciate how insightful you are in your posts. You're going to help a lot of people.

 

I'm actually a certified life coach and I know how hard it is to not give advice, but to let others come up with their own solutions. Maybe someday, I can go back to that and work with some gay clients.

 

Perhaps during the quiet times you might be able to log onto EC and help people here instead?

 

Greatwhale, this sounds really good--I know you will be great at it because you always have such helpful things to say here. I'm glad to hear that they give you a lot of training. I tried to call a hotline a few times early last summer, but always got voice mail--I seem to recall they had pretty limited hours and were on the other side of the country.

 

Please keep us updated on how it goes.

 

I think you will be good at this. You're worldly and empathetic, and I hope you can continue to see things through many lenses, as you do, because I am sure the calls will come in from left field and right field, and sometimes be stressful. I know you will consider each caller's context differently, and know that one size doesn't fit all.

I think this will offer fulfillment to you, in helping others and being involved. I also think you'll probably wind up befriending some of the fellow volunteers. Other than the stress, it's a win-win.

Right, flights between DC/YUL tend to be little regional jets, last having done that one from your fair city on US Air (or United or AC) into Dulles to await another connection. Cheer up, it's a short hop, and say:
"There's no place like home." "There's no place like home." "There's no place like home."