Hello! My name is Mel, I am 34 and I am new to this forum. Ive known that I was different since I was a preteen, and have been attracted to all genders for sometime now. I came out twice to my family (the first time I was 17 and my mother rejected me coming out as bisexual because my younger sister "was already a lesbian and that was enough" but through talking with me about my sisters sexuality and her homophobia from growing up in the caribbean, she is now super supportive) my second time I came out was a triple hitter. I came out as bisexual, polyamorous, and told my mother my fiance and I were in a relationship with a woman for 3 years now and she was living with us. My family has welcomed my partners which I am really grateful for, and all of my friends and associates know and are cool about it. We live in California now, but the area we live in is really conservative, like Trump rallies on Independence day conservative, so I feel like Im back in the closet all over. I dont have much friends here, and not many that are queer. Im looking to make connections with open and thoughtful people, and I am glad I found this forum! My hobbies include baking, painting, writing, listening to music, dancing. I deal with chronic pain and illness and am trying to get into yoga and exercise more. Nice to meet you all!
Hello Mel, welcome aboard! It's great for you that you've managed to open up so much, by what is a relativley young age still. So many people seem to struggle, with many going through marriage first before starting to accept it. I'm sorry to hear that your new area isn't very progressive. Sadly, that's still the norm I think, outside the more cosmopolitan areas (Hopefully you'll manage to convert a few of your new neighbours, to becoming allies, over time.) Anyway, good luck to you and I hope you enjoy being part of the community here.
MellowMel.....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! *****There are 18 different sub-forums here that you can check out and join in the conversations or start your own thread/conversation. When I first joined Empty Closets I was in need of a lot of support and encouragement and I found it here…EC is a safe place. I hope that you'll find good things here too! Folks here will talk to you and share...you don't have to be afraid of asking questions...we're glad to have you! Empty Closets is all about making connections and giving LGBT folks a voice when they otherwise don't have one in their day-to-day lives. In particular you may want to check out the forum that is titled "Sexual Orientation”, there are people there who may have dealt with some of the same kind of issues that could be challenging you. I share your love of music as I am a musician myself! I also understand the chronic pain issue, I've had seven spinal surgeries. Although I would have been in a wheelchair without the operations, I have chronic pain as a result. But life does go on and I'm grateful that I can still get around by myself! 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
Welcome, Mel! So glad you're here with us!! I've recently started checking out LGBT-related Meetup groups - there may be more with you there than you're aware of
Hi Mel, it's great to meet you. Welcome to Empty Closets. There's a lot of great people here, I'm sure you'll make a lot of friends in no time.
Hi and welcome! Living in in a conservative can be a real pain in the bum, but it’s great that your family is supportive There’s plenty of good company to be found here, I’m sure you’ll find here what you’re looking for
