Hey

Skoger.....Hello and a great big LGBTQIA+ welcome to Empty Closets! I can remember the first post that I made on EC. I was desperate for help and I got the help that night that I so needed. I hope that we can help you in the same way that I received help. The most important thing to remember about Empty Closets is that we do care about you! We're very glad that you found us here on EC and hope that we can answer questions, give you support and provide a place to vent (as long as it's not violent!) when that becomes necessary! I'm sorry that your still having to hide your sexuality. I did that for many. many years and it caused a lot of guilt and depression. I really do hope that you will be able to find someone that you trust enough to be able to come out to them. Even coming out to just one person can make a huge difference. It sure did for me. It's like that secret has power over you and hurts you. When you are able to find someone who you can trust and come out to them it breaks the secret and it's power over you. Posting here on Empty Closets is a first step...an important step! I came out first here on EC and that helped me find the strength to finally tell someone face-to-face. It was difficult and there was a lot of tears, but the relief that someone finally knew was just so tremendous. We are here for you in any way that we can...just ask and we'll do our best to help!

*****There are 18 different sub-forums here that you can check out and join in the conversations or start your own thread/conversation.

Some info on how to navigate EC:
When you have made at least 10 posts on various threads you will be able to post messages on a member's Profile Page. Just click on a member's Avatar Picture and then click on "Profile Page" in the dialogue box that pops up. You'll then be on their Profile Page and there will be a box that says: "Write Something" When you have been on EC for a few weeks and have made at least 50 posts on various forums, you can apply for Full Membership. A Full Member can send Private Messages (PM) to other Full Members and share personal contact info. Right now you can only send a PM to a Staff Member as that is always possible. Here is a quote from the Full Membership information forum:

*****To be eligible you must be a member of Empty Closets for a minimum of two weeks, and have a minimum of 50 posts. These posts must be across numerous forums (Fun & Games does not contribute to post count), and consistently posted across a minimum of two weeks. You wouldn't be eligible, for example, if you registered, had no activity for two weeks, and then returned to post 50 times on your 14th day of membership.

*****Well, as I said, we're very glad you found us! If you have any questions at all, you can always send me a Private Message.

.....David