Hello Everyone, Wow, what an excellent resource site for people who need support. I am happy to have come across this. I have been seeking a site for quite some time to talk with people about sexuality and coming out, and hoping to share my experience and advice along the way. I am a 26 year old gay male who has been out for 4 years. When I came out, I did it within a two week period to everyone. I couldn't have asked for better friends and even more surprising, a better family. Staying in the closet was getting too stressful for me, and it caused a lot of mental health issues (anxiety and depression). It wasn't until I hit rock bottom mentally (major depressive episode) and was recovering, that I took the plunge and told my friends and family that I am gay. My friends were all supportive as they figured I am gay based on my failure to pursue women who were interested in me. Indeed, I did try to be straight regardless of my sexual attraction to men. I wanted to live a "normal" life, but it's pretty obvious that normal is a terrible term and can make you feel less of a human being. No one is normal. Needless to say, coming out boosted my confidence, and love for myself. I am now engaged to an amazing guy, and I would never look back. I've always considered being a mentor with everything I do. So please feel free to ask me questions. Much love to you all! -Birdnerd Joel (Bird is not a euphemism for anything sexual, I am actually an ornithologist)
Wow nice to hear u have such supporting friends and family, AND you're engaged now which is great Welcome to EC EDIT : why the DNA avatar ?
Thanks darlin'. I feel blessed. However, my life wasn't always easy. It is the hardships we get through that builds character and makes you who you are ---------- Post added 19th Feb 2014 at 08:25 PM ---------- That's awesome, HD is a great subject. I do indeed to an extent. I am more of a behavioral ecologist/geneticist than a strict ornithologist, but use birds as model organisms.
Welcome! Ornithology is awesome. There are a couple of bird labs at my university, and two of my friends work in them.