Update.....

[wkdblue]

Well as I said in 'My Story' I had intended on coming out to a close family memeber a week or so ago.... It didn't happen which I'll explain along the way... :rolleyes:
It's been a little weird and a little bit of a rollercoaster with my emotions over the past 4 weeks.... since I pretty much fully accepted who i am. I've been a pretty foul bastard at work at times and then chilled and content at other times.
I've had feelings of euphoria where I felt like shouting it from the rooftops and feeling fulfilled within myself to times of confusion, fear, uncertainty and a little sadness.
As I said I had planned on telling a close family member but the timing was a little off and it was definately not the right moment to bring it up, I'm unsure when the time will feel right again :(
I go down to see an old friend in a couple of weeks and if the moment is right will probably open up to her.
I want to get on and enjoy life, I don't want to be secretive and certainly don't want to bottle things up as thats starts to destroy you from the inside out, but on the flip side I fear losing friends and family, of being made an outcast. I feel jealous of people who are open and honest about their sexuality and that they are part of a wider community that they can interact with on a physical basis (not just through the net).
I've certainly been more honest online recently going so far as to using face pics and being honest about who i am and what i do, whereas before i use to just use the net as a means for sexual gratification and keeping my identity hidden.... not something to be proud of I know :eek:
I don't really know what I'm getting at here :rolleyes:
I suppose I just have a few more barriers to break through. Althought the biggest one for me is out of the way and that was for me to accept myself...
Gaz :)

[Herbwoman39]

You've already done the hard part. You came out to yourself and accepted who you are. The rest will come in time.

In the 18 months I've been out to myself, I've only come out to my husband, my two teenage sons (16 & 17), a close friend in Atlanta and my best friend. All of them went exceptionally well except for my best friend of 15 years. She freaked and didn't really talk to me for about 6 months. Now we're startingto talk again and I think that relationship is going to be okay.

Take your time and don't push it. It will all work out the way it's supposed to in the end.

[Reprob8]

I think way too much stock is put into "coming out of the closet". The most important person to come out to is yourself. The rest of the world can wait unill you're ready. I only have 2 or three people I plan on telling at this point but I will march in pride parades givin the opportunity but I was thinking about doing that before I came out to myself anyway.

[Diane54]

I will never come out to my family, but
Friends usually don't judge you for telling them.
It usually explains things you were not aware of.

Get comfortable with yourself first and the rest will follow. :2cents:

[Nara_lovely]

I agree with the concept of being comfortable with yourself first!

Soooooo much easier if you like yourself, because the emotional reactions from others won't affect you as much.

Ok...so some may not speak to you again, some may ridicule, some may be rude, some will tell you you are wrong...would you be willing to stop being yourself because of those opinions?

BUT: those truly wonderful people who say they love you...they WILL and DO love you no matter what! (Isn't that the same unconditional love you'd be willing to dish out if the situation was reversed?).
Bottom line; you have no control over other people and their reactions. You can't convince or change their views, (just give them the time to absorb)...you only have that ability for yourself.

Hang in there; it gets easier the more you take a step by step walk through life.

[littlerayofsunshine]

Its ok if you feel you need to wait. You are well on your way through this journey of self love and acceptance. You are what is most important and if you feel you still have things you need to figure out, love yourself and take the time to figure it out.