Hello, this is Todd. has anyone here ever felt that they are being forced into coming out? I don't really want to......... but people just won't leave me alone. Maybe if I did come out, my straight {?) coworkers will stop messing with me......
To me, what you are describing is not "coming out," but being dragged out. Since this is a PG13 site, i am having to bite my tongue (bite my keyboard?) when it comes to expletives, but it's none of your co workers business. Imagine if the tables were turned and you, or others, started talking openly about their sexuality? What you are experiencing is sexual harassment, and there are laws against that. If the company you work for has any appreciable size, management has been trained to deal with this and you could notify them to handle it... i know, probably not your first choice, but it is an option.
Thanks for the reply, tallslenderguy. it is like they are punishing me. I work in a manufacturing plant, where gossip easily spreads like wildfire. I have some haters and they tell new male operators not to associate with me because I am gay. One that I know is doing this came up behind me one time when I was bending down to pick something up. He pushed down on my back and held me down for at least 20 seconds, and I think he hits people up to mess with me. I live in the South, and would most likely have to kiss a good paying job goodbye if I dared to file sexual harassment on another male
Yeah, i saw where you live... sorry, i understand. i lived in KY and VA for several years. If it's a manufacturing plant, they absolutely have a system in place to deal with sexual harassment, and you could sue if you ever got fired for filing a complaint, but i totally get the dilemma of whether it's worth it. Those rules are only as good as the people following them. The guy is a Neanderthal (though i know that's an insult to Neanderthals). i'm sorry you are dealing with this, some people stop developing at around age 11 and never seem to get past that, meanwhile, the rest of us have to live with them.
Todd…..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. *****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
i dunno what it like at work or when u older but i was kinda like throw. outta closet at school and made life suck so i think u should do it when u ready and feel safe and comfertable
I’ve seen what’s it like for someone to be forced out and it is not a very pretty site. Luckily the guy is very strong and is handling themselves like a boss. You should only open up when you choose you owe nothing to anyone. It’s your life you do what you want not what you think the rest want.
Thanks for the encouragement, Harvested Grain! I am hopeful and confident that things are working out for the better. Lately things have been alright at work. I have mostly good days, but once in a while I have a bad day. I am thankful for this website because now I have a place where I can open up to an excellent community of friends who can relate to the experiences I go through!
