Hi everybody! - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people coming out

Neo · 22nd Jul 2012, 10:47 PM

Hi everyone, I found this site about a month ago while looking for advice online and found it quite helpful, and I've finally built up the courage to join.

A little about me, I am 26 and have known I was gay since I was little, but was in denial about it for a long time. I convinced myself for most of my life that I just needed to meet the "right girl", even though deep down I knew that wasn't what I truly wanted, and struggled with depression for a long time. Only in the last few months have I come to fully accept myself, even if I might not be wholly comfortable with myself yet. I realized I am not getting any younger, and didn't want to waste anymore time pretending to be something I'm not.

After getting the courage from reading posts on EC, I finally came out of the closet for the first time 2 weeks ago to my older sister and her girlfriend, and then again 2 days ago to one of our close family friends who I have known since I was 7. Even though those went well I am still terrified to tell others and have not told anyone else. I don't have any lgbt friends (other than my sister) and just wish that I could meet more lgbt people nearby.

Sorry for rambling, and thanks for taking the time to read a little bit about me. I can tell from the posts I've read that everyone here is incredibly nice, and I am just hoping to find a place of support that I can fit in with.

**thecat06** · 22nd Jul 2012, 11:03 PM

Hello and Welcome!!

kitsune309 · 23rd Jul 2012, 12:06 AM

Hey! Everyone really is very very welcoming here. I'm glad you came! Don't worry, you'll find plenty of people who understand, and it's much easier to be open around these people. I've only been here for a little while, and I've already become more open with myself and everyone around me. Good luck, and PM me if you ever need anything. ^.^

IrisM · 23rd Jul 2012, 04:52 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.

Bobbgooduk · 23rd Jul 2012, 06:09 AM

Hello Neo a

nd welcome to EC. I'm fairly new too - it won't take you long to fit in and you're right - there are a lot of lovely people on here.

Have fun!

alex2020 · 23rd Jul 2012, 11:15 AM

Bienvenue!

silverhalo · 23rd Jul 2012, 11:33 AM

Hey welcome to EC.

gay christian · 23rd Jul 2012, 04:03 PM

heyy, I'm new too, and I've found this site lovely and welcoming.

I hope you're feeling ok, I came out a week ago and I'm finding it hard to be wholly comfortable with myself but that's just because I'm having to be honest for the first time x

castle walls · 23rd Jul 2012, 04:26 PM

I'm glad that you decided to join the site and accept yourself.

Welcome to EC!

Schomin1 · 23rd Jul 2012, 09:28 PM

hey I am new too guys!! glad to be here and hope to contribute on this site and interact with everyone.

boilingintexas · 24th Jul 2012, 01:00 AM

Hello! I'm new here too, and I completely understand what you mean by uncomfortable. I just came out within this last month.

thylvin · 24th Jul 2012, 04:40 AM

Hi and welcome... oh and congrats. Don't worry to much over it, things will become easier from here on end. As for friends, yeah at least we are all here to help and support you when you need it. Good luck with the rest of the coming out process.

Aeon Magus · 26th Jul 2012, 03:36 PM

Hello, and welcome to EC, Neo.

22nd Jul 2012, 10:47 PM	#1
Neo Member Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Seattle, WA Age: 27 Posts: 12 Join Date: Jul 2012	Hi everybody! Hi everyone, I found this site about a month ago while looking for advice online and found it quite helpful, and I've finally built up the courage to join. A little about me, I am 26 and have known I was gay since I was little, but was in denial about it for a long time. I convinced myself for most of my life that I just needed to meet the "right girl", even though deep down I knew that wasn't what I truly wanted, and struggled with depression for a long time. Only in the last few months have I come to fully accept myself, even if I might not be wholly comfortable with myself yet. I realized I am not getting any younger, and didn't want to waste anymore time pretending to be something I'm not. After getting the courage from reading posts on EC, I finally came out of the closet for the first time 2 weeks ago to my older sister and her girlfriend, and then again 2 days ago to one of our close family friends who I have known since I was 7. Even though those went well I am still terrified to tell others and have not told anyone else. I don't have any lgbt friends (other than my sister) and just wish that I could meet more lgbt people nearby. Sorry for rambling, and thanks for taking the time to read a little bit about me. I can tell from the posts I've read that everyone here is incredibly nice, and I am just hoping to find a place of support that I can fit in with. __________________ There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~Anaïs Nin

22nd Jul 2012, 11:03 PM	#2
thecat06 Let the journey of life continue! EC Moderator Gender: Let's say Pangender! Orientation: Let's say gay!! (Homoromantic Demisexual) Out Status: Out as pan to most, out as gay completely Location: Central and Northern Ohio Age: 20 Posts: 7,041 Join Date: Jun 2011 Tournaments Won: 9	Re: Hi everybody! Hello and Welcome!! __________________ The tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible. -Anderson Cooper

23rd Jul 2012, 12:06 AM	#3
kitsune309 comic relief Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Double Gay Lesbian Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Northwestern USA Age: 19 Posts: 756 Join Date: Jul 2012	Re: Hi everybody! Hey! Everyone really is very very welcoming here. I'm glad you came! Don't worry, you'll find plenty of people who understand, and it's much easier to be open around these people. I've only been here for a little while, and I've already become more open with myself and everyone around me. Good luck, and PM me if you ever need anything. ^.^ __________________ Don't worry when people tell you you're going through a phase. Everything is just a phase. Currently I am in my being alive and breathing phase. But it's just a phase, it'll pass.

23rd Jul 2012, 04:52 AM	#4
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: Hi everybody! 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.

23rd Jul 2012, 06:09 AM	#5
Bobbgooduk Banned Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Age: 54 Posts: 703 Join Date: Jul 2012	Re: Hi everybody! Hello Neo and welcome to EC. I'm fairly new too - it won't take you long to fit in and you're right - there are a lot of lovely people on here. Have fun!

23rd Jul 2012, 11:15 AM	#6
alex2020 EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: It fluctuates. Out Status: To some. Location: Florida Age: 20 Posts: 2,038 Join Date: Aug 2011 Tournaments Won: 2	Re: Hi everybody! Bienvenue! __________________ “Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.”

23rd Jul 2012, 11:33 AM	#7
silverhalo EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Quite a few Location: England, Age: 30 Posts: 4,218 Join Date: Dec 2008 Tournaments Won: 21	Re: Hi everybody! Hey welcome to EC.

23rd Jul 2012, 04:03 PM	#8
gay christian Member Regular Member Gender: Female Orientation: Gay Out Status: Close family and friends Posts: 33 Join Date: Jul 2012	Re: Hi everybody! heyy, I'm new too, and I've found this site lovely and welcoming. I hope you're feeling ok, I came out a week ago and I'm finding it hard to be wholly comfortable with myself but that's just because I'm having to be honest for the first time x __________________ Try the New Testament if you haven't before... I guess it's like Marmite :P God knows and loves us as we are... Jesus died for us... and then had a new life with God! We can too, no matter what the world says to us and about us

23rd Jul 2012, 04:26 PM	#9
castle walls EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Pansexual/Bisexual Out Status: Some people Location: Western USA Posts: 677 Join Date: Sep 2011	Re: Hi everybody! I'm glad that you decided to join the site and accept yourself. Welcome to EC!

23rd Jul 2012, 09:28 PM	#10
Schomin1 Newbie Regular Member Gender: Female Orientation: Straight Posts: 2 Join Date: Jul 2012	Re: Hi everybody! hey I am new too guys!! glad to be here and hope to contribute on this site and interact with everyone.

24th Jul 2012, 01:00 AM	#11
boilingintexas Member Regular Member Gender: Transgender - MtF Orientation: Questioning Out Status: A few people Location: DFW Texas Posts: 14 Join Date: Jul 2012	Re: Hi everybody! Hello! I'm new here too, and I completely understand what you mean by uncomfortable. I just came out within this last month.

24th Jul 2012, 04:40 AM	#12
thylvin Banned Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Windhoek Age: 33 Posts: 1,280 Join Date: Jun 2011	Re: Hi everybody! Hi and welcome... oh and congrats. Don't worry to much over it, things will become easier from here on end. As for friends, yeah at least we are all here to help and support you when you need it. Good luck with the rest of the coming out process.

26th Jul 2012, 03:36 PM	#13
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: Hi everybody! Hello, and welcome to EC, Neo. __________________ 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.