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Post by lordcurtis on Apr 27, 2014 22:42:17 GMT -6
Hello, My name is Curtis, and I am a 20 year old gay male.
I always knew growing up that I was different. In middle school it became apparent when I was finding guys attractive and not girls. My junior year of high school I came out to my friends and finally my mother and father. They were not at all supportive. My parents almost immediately sent me to a christian counselor, who did a sort of conversion therapy. Don't get me wrong, I identify as a christian, but this guy was not helping. I became Isolated and depressed and a wedge was driven in between my parents and me. I was not allowed to tell family or family friends and was to keep it under wraps. I met my first boyfriend a year later and we dated for 6 months by the time my parents found out. They were not happy, but they realized they could not keep me from him.
Time continued and about a year and a half into our relationship we got into an argument and he physically attacked me. Needless to say, I immediately left him. I found out that he had also been cheating for a long time. Now a year has passed from that and I have had other relationships and my parents finally came to terms with my homosexuality and don't want that to be something that hold us away from being close and happy again. I am now the LGBTA president at my college and hope to continue to be a LGBTQ Advocate. I hope my story can help some people in need if support and advice. You can ask me anything and I will give my best answer!
Lots of love!
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Post by Matt Stout on Apr 27, 2014 22:53:53 GMT -6
Curtis.
Welcome to the forums! I am super glad you are here!
I have said it a million times, but I can not believe how much I can relate to peoples lives when they share them. You story hits so close to home for me.
I am glad you have made it through, and become a stronger person because of it! Being the LGBTA president at your college... If you all have an office, or center, or anything for members to turn to, let me know, and I would be glad to provide you with business cards for the office directing individuals to our website! Thank you so much for all you do!
~Matt
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Post by lordcurtis on Apr 27, 2014 23:12:14 GMT -6
Matt,
I am also living proof that things get better! As for my LGBTA club, we do not have an official office, just a meeting place, BUT our sponsor does who would be more than happy to give people business cards! I think this website is a glorious and much needed idea!
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Post by n8vdude on Apr 27, 2014 23:28:57 GMT -6
You know what I find so interesting in reading several of these stories, I guess I had it very easy back in the day. Now, as I approach my mid-century point, and having experienced more things that would make some kids toes curl and their hair straighten if I told them (there is a downside to being TOO open to what life hands you), but I find that it is really very interesting that I was very lucky in that my parents were nothing but supportive.
They didn't understand it fully, but they loved me unconditionally (and put their money where their mouth was - they weren't just mincing words). I suppose that dad being Native helped. Reservation life can be both a blessing and a curse. But I think for him, it gave him some real perspective on life. They embraced my boyfriend and welcomed him (and his family - a very funny story all on it's own) into ours (think "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" only with Natives instead of Greeks and you'll kinda see where I am going with that). Not that I am all - wow, I didn't have to deal with any of that - I am not trying to go there, I just think it is interesting that when gayness wasn't so out in the open, sometimes it worked in our favor. Because no one was talking about it. Well, except of course those of us who were in it. Then it was like we were the wizards and everyone else was a sucky muggle - I sooooo got into that with the HP series. I totally got that sub-society thing. That's what it was like back when color TV and vcr's (yeah, tapes not digital files or dvds) were all the rage.
I mean, don't you think that's odd? My friends and I all went to the 'gay club' and had a separate life we didn't have to talk about with any one but ourselves. Totally upside down and weird when I hear stories where being gay is the big topic of the day in some way in the media. And yet, there are more gay youth who I think might be struggling a bit harder because of it.
Okay, totally didn't want to railroad your welcome story. So HEY! WELCOME! and I am soooo glad that you all are putting the COMMUNITY back into gay community. Because as of late, I was using 'community' with finger quotes anytime I said it to someone. Total disbelief that we had a real 'community' of any sort.
I love being proven wrong with that... you both (Matt/Curtis) give me hope that there's a ray of hope that things will be better for all of us down the road.
Peace!
B.
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Post by Matt Stout on Apr 27, 2014 23:31:11 GMT -6
Matt, I am also living proof that things get better! As for my LGBTA club, we do not have an official office, just a meeting place, BUT our sponsor does who would be more than happy to give people business cards! I think this website is a glorious and much needed idea! DM me with shipping information and we will send out business cards ASAP! ~Matt |
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Post by Racheal Acuff on Apr 28, 2014 0:24:10 GMT -6
Curtis,
Welcome to the forums! I hope you always enjoy being a part of them! I think it is great that your parents have come around and are making an effort to have a relationship with you! I look forward to getting to know you even better here on the forums! If you need anything we are always here and we will get those business cards out to you ASAP!
Much Love,
Rae**
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Post by nathansimko on Apr 28, 2014 2:53:32 GMT -6
Curtis welcome to our forum. I'm very happy you took the time to share your story with us. We have a lot in common concerning our parents. Mine haven't reached the acceptance stage but I'm hopeful.
Sorry you were attacked my your first boyfriend. That sucks but at least you did the right thing in my opinion by leaving him!
Anything you need or would like to talk please don't hesitate to email me.
See ya around!!
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Post by lordcurtis on Apr 28, 2014 23:56:03 GMT -6
Thank you everyone! I wish to help breathe some more life into this forum!
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Post by Matt Stout on Apr 29, 2014 18:53:04 GMT -6
Thank you everyone! I wish to help breathe some more life into this forum! I like this idea!  ~Matt |
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Post by lordcurtis on Apr 29, 2014 23:15:56 GMT -6
I'll help anyway I can!  |
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