Nik, or whatever...

[colder_love]

Hello, im not really that good at intros or even talking to people (even over the web) so I'll do the best I can.

Im a 16yr old gay roman catholic.. at least I was, im not sure if there really is anything out there now. I have been forcing myself to fix this "problem" that I have that its just something I can turn off, well after 5 painful painful years of trying, I realize that THIS is who I am, not all of who I am but A peice that has finnaly been put on the puzzle.

I found this site searching for a "gay teen suicide forum" and a topic from here popped up, I looked in, and found this to be much better than what I could have wanted.

tata for now.

[Pablo Rafael]

I am glad that you have found your way to the forums.

You have come to the realization that you are who you are, and it is a good thing. It took me a lot longer to come to that realization. God has made each of us just how He/She wants us to be. There is no reason at all to try to "fix" God's plan. I know I tried that for far too long.

Though the Catholic church is not the most gay-friendly of denominations, it also is certainly not the worst. There are many welcoming Catholic parishes. I am a musician in one of them (as well as in a wonderful affirming Episcopal congregation).

I say rejoice in who you are and don't listen to anyone who would tell you otherwise.

Tu Amigo, Pablo

[BrianB]

Welcome, Nik. Like Pablo it took me much longer to accept being what God made me (bi'). Once that issue was settled I had to leave my church. They preached that all homosexuals were going to hell...no exceptions. Eventually, I became catholic. My reasoning was that at least catholics have compassion for gay people and they don't automatically cast them in hell. It ain't perfect but it's better than where I was.

Please, if you are feeling desperate and suicidal again sometime talk to someone, anyone. There is a list of emergency numbers at the upper right corner of this page. Call one of them. They will help as much as they can. You can also send me a private message. I don't have training but I do have two ears and a caring heart. Many times things don't look quite so bad if we talk to someone.

[Gennee]

Welcome to the site, Nik.

Gennee

[Poetic Awakening]

Welcome to the forums! If you ever need to talk, there are a lot of great listeners here. I went through a rough spot a couple of years ago, and found this site in a similar fashion. It helped then, and it still helps now.

Good to have you, and feel free to participate! There's always room for one more

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by colder_love

Im a 16yr old gay roman catholic.. at least I was, im not sure if there really is anything out there now. I have been forcing myself to fix this "problem" that I have that its just something I can turn off, well after 5 painful painful years of trying, I realize that THIS is who I am, not all of who I am but A peice that has finally been put on the puzzle.

Hi Nick. Welcome to Soulforce.

So- you've you've been attracted to guys since your were 11? You're not the first to feel this way, nor the last. I remember having a very strong attraction to my 4th grade teacher- a Mr. Casper. I shut it all down for many years, until I was 28 actually. No. It's not something one can just turn off. And trying to do that has negative consequences to one's life later on that have to be worked through.

It's great that you have found your way here.

Yep. I would say that being gay - or straight for that matter- is just one part of a person.

Again- welcome.

[celestial_rain]

Welcome Nik! I'm glad you found the forum...they've been helping me so much, and I hope it does the same for you. As they've been saying, there are many people here who will be wonderful listeners whenever you need to talk, myself included. Again, welcome to the forums, they're great.