Have you told anyone you are Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Transgender or Intersex?

[Paul]

Keeping a secret about your sexuality can be the source of so many emotions and confusion. These are governed by how we see ourselves and how we predict others will judge us or how others have reacted. Having depression or anxiety can make this huge, scary and confusing! (even not having depression and anxiety can!)

Have you got a secret about coming out that burns you up and you'd like to get off your chest in the anonymous forum? I can promise you that no one is going to try and change you or make you try on a sequened vest and chaps.

Paul

[Paul]

I decided when I was 21 that I would come out to anyone who is important to me. The rest don't matter. That has served me well.

The way I saw it was - at that time, it can't be used as blackmail, I'd have the support of those closest to me and most important to me - this did include employers.

I had been blessed with a full head of steam in that my resolve was "anyone else con go get F*&**&D"

Having said that I did have an appreciation for people who had been booted out of home because not necessarily being gay or trans. My best mate through high school was booted out because his father's mother didn't like him and kept picking and whining about him. He told her to Foxtrot Oscar one night and he found himself on young homeless allowance. People no matter what the age are assholes sometimes!

 P

[Gruffudd]

You know Paul,

I came out in Primary School, But then every time I changed school or job it all started again. It would have been in High School that I decided that I'd live as if everyone already knew and let them figure it out and just answer any question honestly. It has had me beaten up, denied rental properties, bullied, sacked... Most of that behaviour seems to be in the past, it really has gotten better for me. When I think about it, I think I would not have been able to live without the integrity of being honest with myself and everyone around me. Then I do sometimes catch myself using gender neutral language about partners etc. and promptly telling myself off for doing so. One of the activists from the 70's I know said to me that those of us who can live openly and challenge others to accept difference have a responsibility to do so because we are making life possible and change happen for those who can not.

Rob.