Quote:
Originally Posted by BenL
I was happy to see that a separate fire zone was established for people who found it envigorating to debate these missionaries from the straight world.
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What is this? or... where is this? I've stepped out for a while so if there is some sort of thread or forum where they go to berate us I have no idea where it is. Or I could be completely wrong, so would someone please tell me what this fire zone is? Just so I don't sound completely ignorant... it sounds cool... really, I just don't know what it is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsdrane
I also think we need to more strongly encourage new people to search around past threads for background information. To my mind, new people are starting their own threads before they even know the terrain.
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As a teen, I feel a little weird about this. I know that many people express frustration about having to repeat things (my dad does it every time I get up from the table... "Dishes Austin." you'd think I'd learn?) Anyway, People come here for safety, for security. I think, in my opinion, that people are looking to establish personal relationships with folks that have gone through the crap they are going through now. It may be easier to direct them and say, o well that question was answered two weeks ago, here
link to two weeks ago. As easy as that is, it is not the best way to establish trust. It kinda feels like the rest of the world. We can't just usher the newbies to old posts. They have the right and deserve personalized stories and reflections, otherwise no relationship is built.
Let's say Johny comes to the forums with a question and a situation that is unique to him. He recently came out to his family at the age of 19 and found that his mother accepted him but his father won't look at him. He believes that his being gay is straining his parents marriage. He comes here looking for advice, for his situation. The last thing we should do is say, "O hi Johny, I understand your situation. We just had this same discussion with Bill two weeks ago. Why don't you go check it out?
Link." That isn't really the loving environment we are trying to establish here (at least, I think).
I don't like the idea of a thread or forum for people looking for help. It seems to much like a self help book, or some TV commercial saying "Are you gay? Do you not like your life right now? Do you feel like jumping off a cliff?" It isn't personal. It's fake and counterproductive to their needs. I see nothing wrong with folks starting new threads when they arrive, not knowing how things work. I think everyone has the right to establish their own unique thread pertaining to their own unique situation where they obtain their
own unique answers. I see no need to create a new forum for moral support, or one that caters to the needs of youth; this is a community? Isn't that the point? As Udog said, "To provide a place and a method for the young to be nurtured, respected, and taken seriously?" How are we not already doing that?
And I do like the idea of one on one tutoring, mentoring... however, it is a little creepy over the net. I've met some really nice folks, and I've also met some folks who find out where I work and come and ask if I would like to have dinner with them, when they are twice my age. It's a little creepy. I think the mentoring thing works better in person... but that's just me. Good idea, but maybe not best for an online forum.