Hi there. I’m relieved to find this community of like minded individuals. I’ve been struggling with my sexuality for a few years. Happily married with kids, but have this strong curious desire to explore male relationships. I’ve never been with a man, but fantasize often and certainly when alone. Trying to navigate whether this curiosity is strong enough to upend my life or whether it’s just another secret I hold onto. My worst fear is to hurt my family. Otherwise happy and busy in this world but hoping to connect with others who share this secret. Thanks for welcoming me.
Noah S…..Hello and a 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! This is a safe community of loving, caring and very supportive people and we will do our best to help you blend into the community. As we have members from 13 years old and older, please keep that in mind as you make your posts. *****There are 18 different sub-forums here that you can check out, 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 LGBTQ 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 forums that are titled “Sexual Orientation” and "LGBT Later in Life". There are people there who may have dealt with some of the same kind of issues that could be challenging you. 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. Only A Full Member can send Private Messages (PM) and then only 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 send me a Private Message as you can always send a staff member a Private Message. …..David
Thanks for the warm and informative welcome. Looking forward to connecting more closely with some of you if you’re open.
Welcome Noah! I'm new here too and a similar position to you, although I have always known I am gay. Feels like a great place to share your journey with the support of others and, I hope, find your true self.
Another newbie here facing the same issue you face (just posted my first thread on this forum). Welcome Noah. Another newbie here as I too feel that strong curiosity and it has been opening up a lot of self-reflection leading me to realise that it isn't new and I've buried my preferences for a long time.
Yeah, its struggle being open not the sexuality question itself. It can be other way they struggle to define their sexuality, but open to people to know not straight.
