Nervous Hello - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people coming out

RossF94 · 18th Jul 2012, 04:43 AM

Firstly, thank you to anyone who reads this because it must get so repetitive reading another introduction post. I find these things quite awkward, but I'd like to begin to reach out and hopefully find some understanding.

I am 18 years old (seems like a bit late to come out, but I was ridiculously shy as a child) and I am from the city of Edinburgh, in Scotland. I've known about my sexual orientation since I started high school, at age 13, but have largely ignored it up until now. In the past, the most important thing to me has always been getting good grades and doing well in school which I am glad that I did; however, it did cause me to miss out on some of the better things about high school (you'll surely know what I mean!). Anyway, I've decided that, before university starts in September, I am going to be honest with my friends and family. I'm hoping to move on and hopefully make friends at university, but I want to be honest and comfortable being myself which, as of yet, I haven't been.

That's basically it! Sorry for the little life-story and hello to everyone on this forum!

Night Rain · 18th Jul 2012, 05:00 AM

Hey, I first came out to my best friend when I was 17 or 18 (I have no recollection of that, so much for the first time!).

Hello and welcome!

Scenestealer · 18th Jul 2012, 05:02 AM

Welcome ^^ You can message me about whatever you want.

Night Rain · 18th Jul 2012, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scenestealer

Welcome ^^ You can message me about whatever you want.

You both have to be full members first.

Reader · 18th Jul 2012, 05:05 AM

Hello! Welcome, I hope and think that EC shall help you be more open about your sexuality. Seriously, I've only been here a few days and it's brilliantly helpful

Scenestealer · 18th Jul 2012, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Night Rain

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scenestealer

Welcome ^^ You can message me about whatever you want.

You both have to be full members first.

*Wall post ^^" Forgot I can't message people anymore.

IrisM · 18th Jul 2012, 05:22 AM

Welcome to EC. Know that here, you are among friends. Remember if you find yourself with any questions or are in need of support that many people have been in similar situations and will be happy to give you advice.

Swim2Fly · 18th Jul 2012, 05:23 AM

Welcome! Coming out at 18 is definitely not that late! Just do it whenever you're comfortable and ready, which it sounds like you are right now (and that's a very good thing since you're heading off to school, where things can really pick up sexually). You seem to have a good grip on what you want and need, so I don't see things being too messy in your case. Just take things one step at a time, and keep on asking away if you feel like you need to.

Like you, I have been playing the waiting game, focusing on other priorities rather than my sexuality. Unlike you, I made it all the way through college and wasn't sure I was gay until right around when I graduated. If you know that you are, you'll definitely be able to find resources/friends to move you along! But there's no shame in keeping busy with other things like school, as long as you are all right with that. I wouldn't even call it procrastinating.

Well, hello/welcome again, and good luck!

alex2020 · 18th Jul 2012, 07:59 AM

Bienvenue!

Not to worry, 18 is not too late to come out! I came out to one person when I was 18 and my parents and most of my friends when I was 19.

RossF94 · 18th Jul 2012, 08:46 AM

Thank you all so much! You've been very welcoming and made me feel a little less awkward.
Hoping to get some advice on here, if I ever need it, and might even be able to offer some insight for other people as well.

Thanks!

Steve712 · 18th Jul 2012, 08:49 AM

Welcome, Ross.

There are many people willing to provide advice upon request, and you'll certainly see no shortage of high quality stuff.

RossF94 · 18th Jul 2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve712

Welcome, Ross.

There are many people willing to provide advice upon request, and you'll certainly see no shortage of high quality stuff.

Thanks! It's good that everyone is so easy to talk with.

**thecat06** · 18th Jul 2012, 10:37 AM

Hello and Welcome!! I started coming out when I was 18 too. So, you're not coming out late

Wolfgirl90 · 18th Jul 2012, 11:56 AM

Hi there! Welcome to EC - from my experience, people here have been pretty fantastic and helpful. So I'm excited for you that you've joined EC. I'm going to echo everyone else in here and say: 18 isn't too late!

I joined this site just last October, and I'm 22 years old. I commend you for the desire to be honest with your friends and family. I look forward to reading your posts!

silverhalo · 18th Jul 2012, 12:10 PM

Hey welcome to EC.

RossF94 · 18th Jul 2012, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecat06

Hello and Welcome!! I started coming out when I was 18 too. So, you're not coming out late

Thanks for the re-assurance. Was never really worried, just a little bit surprised by how people a lot younger than me can be so secure in themselves, whilst I am still a bit clueless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfgirl90

Hi there! Welcome to EC - from my experience, people here have been pretty fantastic and helpful. So I'm excited for you that you've joined EC. I'm going to echo everyone else in here and say: 18 isn't too late!

I joined this site just last October, and I'm 22 years old. I commend you for the desire to be honest with your friends and family. I look forward to reading your posts!

Thanks for your support! 22 is still young too! I've always thought honesty was the best way to do things, as far as you can help it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverhalo

Hey welcome to EC.

Hi there, Thanks a lot! icon_bigg

---------- Post added 18th Jul 2012 at 09:45 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecat06

Hello and Welcome!! I started coming out when I was 18 too. So, you're not coming out late

Thanks for the re-assurance. Was never really worried, just a little bit surprised by how people a lot younger than me can be so secure in themselves, whilst I am still a bit clueless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfgirl90

Hi there! Welcome to EC - from my experience, people here have been pretty fantastic and helpful. So I'm excited for you that you've joined EC. I'm going to echo everyone else in here and say: 18 isn't too late!

I joined this site just last October, and I'm 22 years old. I commend you for the desire to be honest with your friends and family. I look forward to reading your posts!

Thanks for your support! 22 is still young too! I've always thought honesty was the best way to do things, as far as you can help it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverhalo

Hey welcome to EC.

Hi there, Thanks a lot!

---------- Post added 18th Jul 2012 at 09:46 PM ----------

Oops. I seem to have posted twice, still getting used to this. Apologies.

18th Jul 2012, 05:14 PM

Hello & Welcome to EC!

Aeon Magus · 20th Jul 2012, 03:22 PM

Hello, and welcome to EC, Ross.

18th Jul 2012, 04:43 AM	#1
RossF94 Fallen_Skies Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Questioning/Gay Out Status: 1 friend and parents Location: Sunny Scotland Age: 19 Posts: 8 Join Date: Jul 2012	Nervous Hello Firstly, thank you to anyone who reads this because it must get so repetitive reading another introduction post. I find these things quite awkward, but I'd like to begin to reach out and hopefully find some understanding. I am 18 years old (seems like a bit late to come out, but I was ridiculously shy as a child) and I am from the city of Edinburgh, in Scotland. I've known about my sexual orientation since I started high school, at age 13, but have largely ignored it up until now. In the past, the most important thing to me has always been getting good grades and doing well in school which I am glad that I did; however, it did cause me to miss out on some of the better things about high school (you'll surely know what I mean!). Anyway, I've decided that, before university starts in September, I am going to be honest with my friends and family. I'm hoping to move on and hopefully make friends at university, but I want to be honest and comfortable being myself which, as of yet, I haven't been. That's basically it! Sorry for the little life-story and hello to everyone on this forum! __________________ "It always seemed to me a bit pointless to disapprove of homosexuality. It's like disapproving of rain." - Francis Maude

18th Jul 2012, 05:00 AM	#2
Night Rain I'M CRAZY!! Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Homoromantic Asexual Out Status: Some Location: Asia Age: 21 Posts: 1,273 Join Date: Jun 2012 Tournaments Won: 1	Re: Nervous Hello Hey, I first came out to my best friend when I was 17 or 18 (I have no recollection of that, so much for the first time!). Hello and welcome!

18th Jul 2012, 05:02 AM	#3
Scenestealer EC's Wicked fanboy Regular Member Gender: Genderqueer Orientation: Pansexual Out Status: A few people Posts: 98 Join Date: Jul 2012	Re: Nervous Hello Welcome ^^ You can message me about whatever you want. __________________

18th Jul 2012, 05:05 AM	#5
Reader Member Regular Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: A few people Location: East Anglia, England. Posts: 38 Join Date: Jul 2012	Re: Nervous Hello Hello! Welcome, I hope and think that EC shall help you be more open about your sexuality. Seriously, I've only been here a few days and it's brilliantly helpful

18th Jul 2012, 05:22 AM	#7
IrisM Nerdy T-Girl Full Member Gender: Transgender - MtF Orientation: Women or David Tennant Out Status: Family only Location: Nowheresville, Massachusetts Age: 27 Posts: 1,288 Join Date: Jul 2012	Re: Nervous Hello Welcome to EC. Know that here, you are among friends. Remember if you find yourself with any questions or are in need of support that many people have been in similar situations and will be happy to give you advice. __________________ As I sit here in my cage, I gaze out from between the bars, wistful, imagining the feel of wind under my wings.

18th Jul 2012, 05:23 AM	#8
Swim2Fly Member Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: A few people Location: Kansas City Age: 23 Posts: 60 Join Date: May 2012	Re: Nervous Hello Welcome! Coming out at 18 is definitely not that late! Just do it whenever you're comfortable and ready, which it sounds like you are right now (and that's a very good thing since you're heading off to school, where things can really pick up sexually). You seem to have a good grip on what you want and need, so I don't see things being too messy in your case. Just take things one step at a time, and keep on asking away if you feel like you need to. Like you, I have been playing the waiting game, focusing on other priorities rather than my sexuality. Unlike you, I made it all the way through college and wasn't sure I was gay until right around when I graduated. If you know that you are, you'll definitely be able to find resources/friends to move you along! But there's no shame in keeping busy with other things like school, as long as you are all right with that. I wouldn't even call it procrastinating. Well, hello/welcome again, and good luck!

18th Jul 2012, 07:59 AM	#9
alex2020 EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: It fluctuates. Out Status: To some. Location: Florida Age: 21 Posts: 2,062 Join Date: Aug 2011 Tournaments Won: 2	Re: Nervous Hello Bienvenue! Not to worry, 18 is not too late to come out! I came out to one person when I was 18 and my parents and most of my friends when I was 19. __________________ “Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.”

18th Jul 2012, 08:46 AM	#10
RossF94 Fallen_Skies Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Questioning/Gay Out Status: 1 friend and parents Location: Sunny Scotland Age: 19 Posts: 8 Join Date: Jul 2012	Re: Nervous Hello Thank you all so much! You've been very welcoming and made me feel a little less awkward. Hoping to get some advice on here, if I ever need it, and might even be able to offer some insight for other people as well. Thanks! __________________ "It always seemed to me a bit pointless to disapprove of homosexuality. It's like disapproving of rain." - Francis Maude

18th Jul 2012, 08:49 AM	#11
Steve712 EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Mostly out. Location: New Brunswick, Canada Age: 18 Posts: 1,510 Join Date: Feb 2010	Re: Nervous Hello Welcome, Ross. There are many people willing to provide advice upon request, and you'll certainly see no shortage of high quality stuff. __________________ "What is that thing called love, anyway? It dives into the alders and we sit, ignition off, attending to whatever else the fog might slip from those supposedly empty sleeves." - from Apparition by Don McKay

18th Jul 2012, 10:37 AM	#13
thecat06 Let the journey of life continue! EC Moderator Gender: Let's say Pangender! (Leaning towards male) Orientation: Let's say gay!! (Homoromantic Demisexual) Out Status: Pretty close to 100% out. Location: Central and Northern Ohio Age: 20 Posts: 7,332 Join Date: Jun 2011 Tournaments Won: 10	Re: Nervous Hello Hello and Welcome!! I started coming out when I was 18 too. So, you're not coming out late __________________ The tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible. -Anderson Cooper

18th Jul 2012, 11:56 AM	#14
Wolfgirl90 Member Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: University's LGBT group, 8 friends, my dad. Location: West Virginia Age: 23 Posts: 63 Join Date: Oct 2011	Re: Nervous Hello Hi there! Welcome to EC - from my experience, people here have been pretty fantastic and helpful. So I'm excited for you that you've joined EC. I'm going to echo everyone else in here and say: 18 isn't too late! I joined this site just last October, and I'm 22 years old. I commend you for the desire to be honest with your friends and family. I look forward to reading your posts!

18th Jul 2012, 12:10 PM	#15
silverhalo EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Quite a few Location: England, Age: 30 Posts: 4,220 Join Date: Dec 2008 Tournaments Won: 21	Re: Nervous Hello Hey welcome to EC.

18th Jul 2012, 05:14 PM	#17
frozenandbroken Guest Posts: n/a Tournaments Won: 15	Re: Nervous Hello Hello & Welcome to EC!

20th Jul 2012, 03:22 PM	#18
Aeon Magus EC's Blue Gaylien Full Member Gender: I go peepee standing up xD Orientation: I'm a Man's Man Out Status: The people that I care about most. Location: Western Cape, SA Age: 27 Posts: 2,919 Join Date: Nov 2011	Re: Nervous Hello Hello, and welcome to EC, Ross. __________________ Sing me a Painting, I'll paint you a Song Inside my heart is breaking. My make-up may be flaking, but my smile still stays on. The show must go on.

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