Ooooo, nice story. Almost exactly like mine, but BiMatching would be Qnet!
Before early last year (2007), I had never really acknowledged my sexuality. Probably because it never really played much of a role in my life beforehand. I was always so, sooooo shy, so it didn't matter that I wasn't bringing home girls for dinner with the family (oh god, who would anyways...!), or that I wasn't taking a girl out somewhere. I never made friends easily enough to start with! In fact, by late 2006 (by the end of College) I almost thought of that as a possible cover up for why I never/don't have a girlfriend...if someone were to ask.
Then came 2007, where I started my gap year! So I had more time on my hands. That's when I suppose I started to acknowledge that yes, I was gay. Oh! There you go! Never really thought about that before...! And I realised that I'm no longer restricted by the social 'norms' of school/College. I Googled around with the search criteria of 'gay canberra youth', or something like that, and so I came across Qnet which was advertising Bit Bent! I did all this web searching so very discreetly, and after the search I'd be sure to 'Tools - Delete Browsing History - Delete All'. I also thought of it as a horribly dark secret. The darkest secret that I had. And even contemplating coming out about it would mean SUDDEN. DEATH. I thought it was weird enough that I was even searching for a gay scene in Canberra. I mean, that would suggest that I was going to, perhaps, be sociable and get to know others. ...but wait, I don't socialise...do I? In all truth, even joining Qnet and being social ONLINE was kind of nerve racking. But I remember when I came across Qnet for the first time. I debated whether I should join or not. It didn't take long for the debate to decide that NO. I SHOULDN'T. WHAT IF SOMEONE FOUND OUT IT WAS ME UNDER THE ALIAS OF MUSICISLIFE? So I left it at that. Over the next few days I kept up with posts, seeing what people had to say.
Eventually, I came across the post of, The "Hi, my name is..." thread. I thought that was a perfect way to introduce myself, and a good starting point for joining up with Qnet. And so I became a regular poster on Qnet. And I started attending Bit Bent. The first time I went, it wasn't all that daunting. I knew the people would be nice, and supportive. Of course they would! And so, a new social life flourished around me. But of course, my parents were asking me where I was going every Thursday. But I just told them, "Don't worry." "We're not worried." And I just left it at that.
About four months later, I decided I'll just tell the parents. Beforehand, I'd told my two step-sisters and one of their boyfriends, who's now a friend of mine, and another really close friend of mine. All were absolutely supportive. Which I'd expected. But still... My parents took it very well, too. I encouraged them to ask questions. Funnily, the first question my Dad asked when my step-mum asked him if he wanted to ask anything was, "Well! The obvious, I think...have you got a boyfriend?" I just smiled, and said, "No. I don't." And it all went down very well.
Now anyone who asks, providing they aren't scary, harmful bogan types (you all know the types!), I say, "yes I'm gay". And I suppose I end on the slight defensive stance of, "So?"
Chris!
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Topic: Have you come out already? (Read 5602 times)