Hi!

[green413]

Hello! :)

I'm 16 years old and live in the relative South. My family is a churchgoing type, so I've always been Christian (and still am). Even before puberty, however, the church held sermons on homosexuality and how it is a 'choice'. Even then this sounded incorrect, and I didn't believe it.

At puberty about three and a half years ago, I got my proof as I discovered that I myself am gay. It's been a struggle reconciling this fact (as I now consider it, before I seemed to have deluded myself into thinking it was a passing phase. I've never once been attracted to a female, so I finally reconciled the fact that I'm gay with myself) but I stumbled on the PDF packet here that really helped me...a lot. I'm really grateful to this website. :D

I still haven't had enough courage to tell anyone I know personally, but I did build up enough to post this after lurking a while. :) My reasoning is that this place feels kind of like a 'safe haven'...or so I hope! :D

[Zerbie]

Hi Green, welcome, welcome, welcome. :) :rainbow:

I am glad you found the Soulforce resources helpful. This is a pretty safe place, which is amazing given that it's the internet. It's easy to start forgetting that anyone could wind up reading what we post here when we get so used to talking to each other. As internet places go, this is the kindest and 'safest' one I've ever found. Just remember to keep any potentially scary stuff private, or save it for private messages with someone you trust.

Thank you for posting an introduction. Feel free to join in the conversations at any time.

Z

[green413]

Thanks for the reply!

I hadn't planned on posting anything too specific, I just meant that I hoped it would be safe as far as acceptance. :)

[Zerbie]

Thanks for the reply!

I hadn't planned on posting anything too specific, I just meant that I hoped it would be safe as far as acceptance. :)

Oh! :p
Ya got that here, Green. :love::rainbow:

Most of the people posting on this forum have been through some version of what you're still kind of in the middle of: self-acceptance, followed by self-disclosure to important people in our lives. Some members here are at pretty much the same 'place' as you right now, and at all different ages in their lives.

[green413]

Oh!
Ya got that here, Green.

Yay! I had hoped, since the Soulforce resources really helped me out. Quite a bit...I was...distressed...for a long period of time.

Most of the people posting on this forum have been through some version of what you're still kind of in the middle of: self-acceptance, followed by self-disclosure to important people in our lives. Some members here are at pretty much the same 'place' as you right now, and at all different ages in their lives.

I think I've gotten through the 'self-acceptance' stage as I've realized it's no choice...and can't be changed!

[BruceChris]

If you do some digging in the net, you will discover that human sexuality is anything but either-or. Your body may be male, or female, or a little of both (as a matter of fact, it is). You may identify as male, female, or some of one at some times, and more of the other at others. You may be attracted to men, women, or a little of both. Your chromosomes could be all over the map, and neither clearly the one or the other.

Come back and chat, and get to know the regulars (Zerbie is about THREE of them)

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[green413]

Come back and chat, and get to know the regulars (Zerbie is about THREE of them)

Will do! Thanks! :D

[paul]

Welcome Green,

I'm glad you went from lurker to participant. You are indeed safe here. There are people from all walks of life here, all ages (several your age). I would suggest to you that the closet is the unsafe place..., by that I mean you being alone and isolated. You alone can choose who you open up to and when, but it is not good for people to be alone (I read that somewhere :rolleyes:). So, I am glad you feel accepted here, you are. Hope to see you around.

paul

[green413]

You alone can choose who you open up to and when, but it is not good for people to be alone (I read that somewhere ).

:lol: It's still good advice! :D

So, I am glad you feel accepted here, you are. Hope to see you around.

Thank you! And likewise. :)

[tymejumper]

I am glad you found us and welcome! Yes, we are a very safe place to be, and we tend to take care of our own. It's good to be able to finally be yourself somewhere and know that you are ok.(didn't Mr. Rogers say something about never being able to go down the drain?)I am not sure you are old enough to remember him.

I am so glad that youngers are coming out and not hiding for so long as us oldsters have had to. I see that in my teens highschool, there are so many kids increasingly at ease with their sexuality and it's great. About time, it gives me some large hope for the future.

So, we are glad you lurked for a bit and have finally felt safe enough to post:D

[simpsonfreak1985]

I hope everything works out for in time. if you ever have any concerns or questions on how to handle certain situations, the people on this site are very helpful. I am glad you found us and i hope nothing but the best for you.

take care

simpsonfreak1985 :-)

[green413]

I am glad you found us and welcome! Yes, we are a very safe place to be, and we tend to take care of our own. It's good to be able to finally be yourself somewhere and know that you are ok.(didn't Mr. Rogers say something about never being able to go down the drain?)I am not sure you are old enough to remember him.

Mr. Rogers! You can't be pulled down into the bathtub drain because you won't fit. Or something. ;-)

I am so glad that youngers are coming out and not hiding for so long as us oldsters have had to. I see that in my teens highschool, there are so many kids increasingly at ease with their sexuality and it's great. About time, it gives me some large hope for the future.

Hope is a great thing! :D

So, we are glad you lurked for a bit and have finally felt safe enough to post

Me too! :)

[green413]

I hope everything works out for in time. if you ever have any concerns or questions on how to handle certain situations, the people on this site are very helpful. I am glad you found us and i hope nothing but the best for you.

Thanks! I certainly will do so! :D

[antiochian]

Hello and welcome!

One of the biggest lies the "far right" likes to tell is that sexual orientation (anything other than straight, anyway) is a choice. Every time I hear it I get infuriated, because that means I chose to be someone who is considered subhuman by much of society. It's easy for people to judge a situation they've never been in themselves and have no clue about.

My priest also told me I was going through a phase when I was about your age. Guess what? I still like men! So much for that.

Anyhow, best of wishes to you in your journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

[green413]

Every time I hear it I get infuriated, because that means I chose to be someone who is considered subhuman by much of society.

Me too! It makes me angry because it goes against all common sense!

My priest also told me I was going through a phase when I was about your age. Guess what? I still like men! So much for that.

It would be weird if it actually were just a phase. "I went through a phase of being attracted to men..."

:lol:

Anyhow, best of wishes to you in your journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

Thanks! :D

[Vanessa White]

Sorry, it took me a bit to catch up with our newbies..... life is certainly busy, but can't ever stay away from here for too awfully long!!!!

This really is an amazing place, because the people here are amazing. We discuss, laugh, cry, share, and are there for each other, like an extended family for sure. So glad that you have come to a peaceful place within yourself about who you are; that is a huge step at this relatively early stage of your life, that is a compliment....

Again, welcome......:love::love:

[green413]

So glad that you have come to a peaceful place within yourself about who you are; that is a huge step at this relatively early stage of your life, that is a compliment....

Thanks!! :love::love::love::D:D:D

Again, welcome......:love::love:

Thanks again! :D:D:D:love::love::love:

[Gennee]

Hi Green and welcome to Soulforce. This is a safe haven for many here. I am a transgender individual who has reconciled my faith and the fact that am transgender and a crossdresser. It was a decision that changed my life. I'm sure that you will, too.

Gennee

:love::love::wave:

[green413]

Hi Green and welcome to Soulforce. This is a safe haven for many here. I am a transgender individual who has reconciled my faith and the fact that am transgender and a crossdresser. It was a decision that changed my life. I'm sure that you will, too.

Gennee

:love::love::wave:

Thanks!! :love::love::D:D:cookie:

I was never particularly angry with myself...I always reasoned it. I thought, "How can something naturally a part of me be wrong? It can't be." I never had thoughts of suicide or anything bad. I was only confused on how the Bible could say it was wrong. I realized it was all miisconception after reading the resources here. :D

:love:

[royalartisan]

Welcome !

I, too, was raised a Christian....and my family views homosexuality as a choice as well.
It's quite annoying...ahaha.

Cheers,
Rachel