Coming out stories wanted!

[slflet]

I am currently writing an article for a national Canadian publication describing the experiences of people from different cultures coming out to their parents. I would LOVE to hear your stories and include them, if appropriate in my story. Anonymity is guaranteed. Share your experiences (good or bad)!!!
p.s. if you don't want to share in the forum, feel free to PM me.

 

[rainbowgirl1028]

at the age of 16 (I’m 21 now), I started to realize I was attracted to girls. I know that probably seems kinda late, but I believe I was a late bloomer cause of my upbringing. I was raised christian, and told that two people of the same sex who were together “wasn’t normal”. I remember one day in particular when my mom and I were at the high school she used to be the nurse at) and she saw two girls holding hands and exclaimed, “nasty”! I pretended to agree, but inside I wished I could go up to those girls and say hi.

one day I was hanging out with a teacher’s assistant I trusted, and I came out to her right then and there. I told her I had nowhere to turn, and that I’d like her help if she could point me in some sorta direction. so, she pointed me to a social worker named Roy who she told me had a gay daughter, and I started seeing him for what he called “coming of age issues”. after some time passed, he informed me that since I was a minor he’d have to tell my mom I had been seeing him. however, he left it up to me to actually come out to her, and I did. my mom didn’t take it well at all, and she told me I just didn’t know what the fuck I wanted out of life. so, there I was again with conflicting thoughts about whether or not I should be attracted to my same gender, and it was one of the worst feelings in the world.

it wasn’t till I was away from the family that I realized my sexuality was something I couldn’t change. I realized that dating guys to try and “turn” straight wasn’t the answer...the answer was to accept and embrace being gay within myself and not care about what others thought. I was content for the longest time in saying and trying to convince myself I was bisexual, but there’s no point in that when I know and feel what’s truly in my heart every day.

it’s hard being gay. however, it’s just a part of my life that I have to deal with as positively as possible. my only worry is that I’ll never find the girl of my dreams cause I don’t “look” gay, but I wanna believe everyone when they say I will. I’m not stressing over it; it’s just something I wonder about from time to time. if I could give advice to people struggling with figuring out their sexuality, I’d say if you know the truth in your heart, don’t worry about what others think, cause your happiness is all that matters.

 

[Kendra7200]

at the age of 16 (I’m 21 now), I started to realize I was attracted to girls. I know that probably seems kinda late, but I believe I was a late bloomer cause of my upbringing. I was raised christian, and told that two people of the same sex who were together “wasn’t normal”. I remember one day in particular when my mom and I were at the high school she used to be the nurse at) and she saw two girls holding hands and exclaimed, “nasty”! I pretended to agree, but inside I wished I could go up to those girls and say hi.

one day I was hanging out with a teacher’s assistant I trusted, and I came out to her right then and there. I told her I had nowhere to turn, and that I’d like her help if she could point me in some sorta direction. so, she pointed me to a social worker named Roy who she told me had a gay daughter, and I started seeing him for what he called “coming of age issues”. after some time passed, he informed me that since I was a minor he’d have to tell my mom I had been seeing him. however, he left it up to me to actually come out to her, and I did. my mom didn’t take it well at all, and she told me I just didn’t know what the fuck I wanted out of life. so, there I was again with conflicting thoughts about whether or not I should be attracted to my same gender, and it was one of the worst feelings in the world.

it wasn’t till I was away from the family that I realized my sexuality was something I couldn’t change. I realized that dating guys to try and “turn” straight wasn’t the answer...the answer was to accept and embrace being gay within myself and not care about what others thought. I was content for the longest time in saying and trying to convince myself I was bisexual, but there’s no point in that when I know and feel what’s truly in my heart every day.

it’s hard being gay. however, it’s just a part of my life that I have to deal with as positively as possible. my only worry is that I’ll never find the girl of my dreams cause I don’t “look” gay, but I wanna believe everyone when they say I will. I’m not stressing over it; it’s just something I wonder about from time to time. if I could give advice to people struggling with figuring out their sexuality, I’d say if you know the truth in your heart, don’t worry about what others think, cause your happiness is all that matters.

Hang in there Rainbow Girl. You've overcome the difficult part; now it's all about where an open heart and open mind will lead.

 

[slflet]

What a beauiful story. I thank you for having the courage to share that.

 

[Safe_Bet]

I am currently writing an article for a national Canadian publication describing the experiences of people from different cultures coming out to their parents. I would LOVE to hear your stories and include them, if appropriate in my story. Anonymity is guaranteed. Share your experiences (good or bad)!!!
p.s. if you don't want to share in the forum, feel free to PM me.

You pay for these stories? We get a LOT of these kind of inquires in the Author's Hangout and damn few of them pay for the stories that the writers here write, even though they are commercially selling the product. So as far as I'm concerned... no pay, no play. (I also am pretty sure that there are forum rules against this type of solicitation. Just saying... )

at the age of 16 (I’m 21 now), I started to realize I was attracted to girls. I know that probably seems kinda late, but I believe I was a late bloomer cause of my upbringing. I was raised christian, and told that two people of the same sex who were together “wasn’t normal”. I remember one day in particular when my mom and I were at the high school she used to be the nurse at) and she saw two girls holding hands and exclaimed, “nasty”! I pretended to agree, but inside I wished I could go up to those girls and say hi.

one day I was hanging out with a teacher’s assistant I trusted, and I came out to her right then and there. I told her I had nowhere to turn, and that I’d like her help if she could point me in some sorta direction. so, she pointed me to a social worker named Roy who she told me had a gay daughter, and I started seeing him for what he called “coming of age issues”. after some time passed, he informed me that since I was a minor he’d have to tell my mom I had been seeing him. however, he left it up to me to actually come out to her, and I did. my mom didn’t take it well at all, and she told me I just didn’t know what the fuck I wanted out of life. so, there I was again with conflicting thoughts about whether or not I should be attracted to my same gender, and it was one of the worst feelings in the world.

it wasn’t till I was away from the family that I realized my sexuality was something I couldn’t change. I realized that dating guys to try and “turn” straight wasn’t the answer...the answer was to accept and embrace being gay within myself and not care about what others thought. I was content for the longest time in saying and trying to convince myself I was bisexual, but there’s no point in that when I know and feel what’s truly in my heart every day.

it’s hard being gay. however, it’s just a part of my life that I have to deal with as positively as possible. my only worry is that I’ll never find the girl of my dreams cause I don’t “look” gay, but I wanna believe everyone when they say I will. I’m not stressing over it; it’s just something I wonder about from time to time. if I could give advice to people struggling with figuring out their sexuality, I’d say if you know the truth in your heart, don’t worry about what others think, cause your happiness is all that matters.

Hon, you're right... it's freak'in HARD being gay. I was about your age when I "discovered" that I was queer. Tough age to be doing it in, but thankfully I had a partner that was there for me through the "hard" parts. The bitch of it of it all is that it's HARDER to be gay and not admit it to yourself. Like Kendra said, you're past the hard part.

ahem.... Now about your "I don’t “look” gay" statement... Excuse me? If you are intending that lesbian means flannel shirts, tool belts, short hair and work boots, I'm gonna slap you right through this screen! Ever seen Portia deRossi? For that matter, I don't exactly "look" queer either. I'm short, tiny, WAY femme, tanned have blond dreads and used to be a cheerleader. Not a patch of flannel in my closet either (we WON'T talk about Amy's side... ) So put a cork in the "look like" crap and be a kind loving woman and you'll find your dream girl. (or she'll come find you like my stalker bitch did, going on 12 years ago. )

 

[slflet]

Sorry if my request offended you Safe Bet. I don't pay - as I don't get paid. I write for this magazine to HELP people who are going through similar issues as rainbow girl.
If you don't want to share, then don't. If you think your story might help someone and you would let me quote you - then do.
As for it being against forum rules....well....I have no idea about that. If it is, I assume I'll get shut down. I didn't consider this "solicitation" I considered it a respecful request.

 

[Draco1969]

I'm sorry what Magazine is this article being published in and is the a national publication? Global? Is there a website to verify the magazine you Write Write for and will their name be published in this article. Is there a release form they have to Sign? What your asking is from people is something very personal of themselves to reveal how do they know they can trust you???.

 

[Etoile]

As for it being against forum rules....well....I have no idea about that. If it is, I assume I'll get shut down. I didn't consider this "solicitation" I considered it a respecful request.

Nope, not to my knowledge. It's totally fine by me, based on my reading of the Forum Rules linked at the bottom of every page. I don't particularly feel like sharing my experience, but I heartily encourage others to share theirs if they would like.

 

[slflet]

I'm sorry what Magazine is this article being published in and is the a national publication? Global? Is there a website to verify the magazine you Write Write for and will their name be published in this article. Is there a release form they have to Sign? What your asking is from people is something very personal of themselves to reveal how do they know they can trust you???.

There is no release form.... I stated I would not use names, and I won't. Besides, lit doesn't really USE names, does it?
I don't want to reveal the name of the magazine and I won't. They don't need to know where i have obtained my sources from and I don't need to reveal to you who they are either. I can tell you it is a national magazine in Canada - trust me or not. I don't care.

Again, I reiterate, IF YOU DON"T WANT TO SHARE YOUR STORY THEN PLEASE DONT!
I asked for help from people interested in sharing with others. Don't want to? THEN DON'T.

Why do you think I pitched this story idea in the first place? Because I KNOW it isn't easy to come out but if you have had the COURAGE to tell your family, perhaps sharing your experience will help someone else.

 

[slflet]

Nope, not to my knowledge. It's totally fine by me, based on my reading of the Forum Rules linked at the bottom of every page. I don't particularly feel like sharing my experience, but I heartily encourage others to share theirs if they would like.

Thank you very much for your understanding. I hope some will share....

 

[Draco1969]

Hey sorry to have hit a nerve there but one would have wonder why would you get so upset and defensive by some one asking you what magazine you write for.

 

[slflet]

I have this fear that someone will contact the magazine and tell them where I got my source information. Much as I intend to protect the anonymity of my contributors, I would like mine protected as well.
Who I am on here and who I am off of here are two different people.
I'm sorry if I sounded like a psychotic bitch but gheesh I just asked for some help. I didn't want to be interrogated.

 

[Safe_Bet]

Nope, not to my knowledge. It's totally fine by me, based on my reading of the Forum Rules linked at the bottom of every page. I don't particularly feel like sharing my experience, but I heartily encourage others to share theirs if they would like.

*Shrugs* Doesn't seem any different than the "story solicitation" posts that Laurel routinely deletes from the AH. His article is a product to my thinking, but you're the mod so it's so'kay by me.

There is no release form.... I stated I would not use names, and I won't. Besides, lit doesn't really USE names, does it?
I don't want to reveal the name of the magazine and I won't. They don't need to know where i have obtained my sources from and I don't need to reveal to you who they are either. I can tell you it is a national magazine in Canada - trust me or not. I don't care.

Again, I reiterate, IF YOU DON"T WANT TO SHARE YOUR STORY THEN PLEASE DONT!
I asked for help from people interested in sharing with others. Don't want to? THEN DON'T.

Why do you think I pitched this story idea in the first place? Because I KNOW it isn't easy to come out but if you have had the COURAGE to tell your family, perhaps sharing your experience will help someone else.

Dude, I wouldn't get getting all cranked over people asking you PERTINENT (see I can use caps too) questions about something this personal. Other than saying that you are "writing an article for a national Canadian publication" you haven't told anybody jack about anything.

"Trust your or not?" Okay: Not.

I don't know you, you've never been here before and you won't tell me anything about the article. Just why the hell should I trust you????

 

[Etoile]

I have this fear that someone will contact the magazine and tell them where I got my source information. Much as I intend to protect the anonymity of my contributors, I would like mine protected as well.
Who I am on here and who I am off of here are two different people.
I'm sorry if I sounded like a psychotic bitch but gheesh I just asked for some help. I didn't want to be interrogated.

You were fine. I'm totally behind you.

People, no need to give the OP the third degree. If you want to share, do so. If not, just ignore it. Let's be cool.

 

[Draco1969]

I understand didn't mean to give the impression of being the 5-0 just being cautious that's all.

 

[Etoile]

*Shrugs* Doesn't seem any different than the "story solicitation" posts that Laurel routinely deletes from the AH. His article is a product to my thinking, but you're the mod so it's so'kay by me.

I'm not familiar with the term "story solicitation" but I'd assume that the difference is the AH stuff is asking for porn stories (entertainment) and this thread is asking for personal stories (education). Good enough for you?

 

[Etoile]

Okay, I think we're cooled down on this thread. So, people, commence sharing your coming out stories, if you're comfortable doing so! It's best to avoid personally identifying information - all the usual Lit rules about that apply. And remember, this is for national publication, so your story will potentially be shared with zillions of people (unfortunately I don't know the population of Canada!)...choose your words carefully! And like I said, this is about education...I'm sure the OP will agree that porno-type stories are not what is being sought after.

 

[slflet]

Forget it

Okay, I think we're cooled down on this thread. So, people, commence sharing your coming out stories, if you're comfortable doing so! It's best to avoid personally identifying information - all the usual Lit rules about that apply. And remember, this is for national publication, so your story will potentially be shared with zillions of people (unfortunately I don't know the population of Canada!)...choose your words carefully! And like I said, this is about education...I'm sure the OP will agree that porno-type stories are not what is being sought after.

Forget it. I'll find my information somewhere else.

 

[Etoile]

Forget it. I'll find my information somewhere else.

Damn, you try to support somebody and they go all crankypants on you. Life moves on, I guess.

 

[slflet]

Damn, you try to support somebody and they go all crankypants on you. Life moves on, I guess.

Apologies to you Etoile - you were awesome and very supportive.
Everyone else was annoying.

 

[Safe_Bet]

Apologies to you Etoile - you were awesome and very supportive.
Everyone else was annoying.

Be annoyed.... the world needs more nnoys.