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Answered When did EC go from age under 18 to all ages?

Discussion in 'Empty Closets Help and Feedback' started by RD Spencer, Nov 14, 2020.

  1. RD Spencer

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    I recently remembered that when I first found this site it was for under 18 and am curious when EC started excepting all ages?
     
  2. TJ

    TJ
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    One of the longer standing administrators may know more precisely the history, but I believe around 2007-2008 EC transformed from its previous site directed toward youth to a nonprofit forum for LGBTQ people of all ages. Tagging @Chip, @Martin, and @Mirko because they have more exact knowledge of the circumstances surrounding this.
     
  3. Mirko

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    Hi there! While EC started out as a community and safe space for teens, youths, those over 18 and adults were always part of its membership who sought support and gave back to the community. The percentage of members over 18 was certainly smaller at the beginning and the first few years, i.e beteeen 2006 and 2009 or so than it is today.

    Over the years, and with the forming of the nonprofit organisation - Empty Closets Community Services that runs the forum - in November of 2011 helped us to become more visible on the web. This in conjunction with creating the LGBT Later in Life sub-forum in 2013, which started addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ adults to a greater extent, helped to draw in more adults seeking a safe space to seek support and advice.

    In addition, the creation of the Parents and Family Members of LGBT People sub-forum also drew in more adults or those over 18 to the forum. :slight_smile:
     
  4. RD Spencer

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    Thanks, it looks like I found this site longer ago than I thought.
     
  5. Mirko

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    No problem. Time flies, doesn't it?
     
  6. johndeere3020

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    If it were not for the courage of the younger people, some of us older most likely would have lived our entire lives in the closet.
     
  7. RD Spencer

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    It seems like courage can fade as people get older. Young people tend to be more rebellious and it seems like as a teenager I was less concerned about other people knowing about my sexuality than in my 20’s and 30’s.