Hey. New member here

[Guest_17250760]

Hi guys.

I go by my chosen name, Filo, 28 living in Sydney for almost 6 years now.

Moved to Australia with no family - till present. I had a fair share of good and bad moments down under. 

I came out to my family about 2 years ago after being in the closet until I decided to stop denying about my queerness. As someone who was born and raised to a very devoted Christian family, I’ve lived in fear in the household as there was no way I’ll be accepted as a gay child.

My mental health hasn’t been very well and my network of support is very limited. 

[Croix]

Dear Filo~

Welcome here to the Forum.  It is a great pity when misguided fixed ideas get in the way of love. When it does it hurts! It also tends to make one question all relationships, as if parental love is stopped for whatever reason then it may happem elsewhere too. It can even get to the stage of doubting one's worth.

I know as I was disinherited by my family when somewhat younger than you by not living by their ideas -though for diffent reasons than you

I'm sorry you only have limited network of support, it can make a great deal of difference if you are valued for yourself. If you have not already done so can I suggest you give QLIFE (1800 184 527) a visit between 3pm and midnight. They are there  to support the LGBTQIA+ communities and information too.

I also think if you look around our Sexuality and Gender Identity forum you may find others in much the same position

Croix

[Mark Z.]

Hi Filo,

It's incredibly brave of you to open up about your experiences. I can imagine that you've faced many challenges. Moving to a new country and coming out, especially from a strict background, it must be very tough.

There are actually resources out there that can help you build a support network and improve your mental health. For example, LGBTQ+ Support Groups like ACON offer support services, including counseling and social groups specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals. They can help you connect with others who have had similar experiences.

You can also consider attending local LGBTQ+ events, social gatherings, and meet-ups. Websites like Meetup can be a great place to find these events. Another idea is volunteering for LGBTQ+ organisations, this can help you meet like-minded people and create a sense of community.

In addition, seeking a professional counselor who specialises in LGBTQ+ issues might be beneficial. They can provide a safe space to talk about your feelings and experiences.

Hope it helps a bit.
Warmly,
Mark