Open Closets

Anniversary chapter 3

In this year a lot of people shared their stories and here are yet again a few of the ones that make me smile every time I read them. I also asked a few friends of mine to send me their favorite quotes which will be featured in this chapter.

Coming out is one of the scariest things I've ever done, but it is also one of the best decisions I've ever made.
~ kelsey (chapter 1)

Everything will be okay in the end, and that's a guarantee ~ Rachel (chapter 34)

If you're a friend of someone who has an anxiety attack, then the best thing to do is ask if they need anything or what you can do. Make them feel like they aren't a burden and just be there for them. ~ Cause_to_Effect (chapter 9)

Love is love, regardless of what anyone says, and the moment I understood that was the moment I could be happy with myself. ~ kelsey (chapter 1)

I came out to my parents. I've never cried so much in my entire life. I've also never been so scared in my entire life. Because it is a very different thing to be accepting towards someone you just know, and to truly accept someone who is so close to you. But they did and it felt incredible. It felt like the biggest weight had been lifted of my shoulders. 'Cause for once in my life I was allowed to paint with all the colors of the rainbow. For once in my life I didn't have to see the world in black and white. For once in my life I felt completely happy. ~ Annie (chapter 5)

As hard as it is, we keep moving. I'm proud of you for making it this far, and I wish you luck with what's left to come. ~ cashtiel (chapter 18)

When you hear coming out stories a lot of people say stuff like 'oh I've known since such a young age'. That makes me uncomfortable because not everyone knows from a young age. I certainly didn't but it's perfectly okay, no matter what age you figure yourself out. ~ Carly (chapter 6)

I'm pan. And that's amazing. Who I am is who I am, no matter what I've said in the past. Well, there's not much more that I can say now, but anyways, bye muffins. Go with your heart, not your words from the past. ~ Andy (chapter 25)

I want to say just how beautiful you all are. No one can tell you who to be, unless you let them. But don't let them; be you, because being you is the best thing you can do. This sounds cheesy as hell, but I don't care. I love you whether you are gay, lesbian, pansexual, bisexual, asexual, demisexual, transgender, gender fluid, whatever you may be, I love you for it.

If you were to look in a mirror right now, and say something negative about yourself, whether is about your appearance or your sexuality or your personality, I would have something to retaliate with, each and every time, because there is always something about you that is amazing and beautiful. Just keep in mind that careful is great, but keeping your head high and not hating or disliking yourself is even better. Also, know that your sexuality does not define you as a person, so as long as you're a beautiful person on the inside, it doesn't matter what anybody says. We all have our flaws, especially me, but your sexuality is not a flaw, it's just another fact about you. ~ Hanna (chapter 2)

I know I can't physically stop you, but I beg you NOT to self harm and NOT even consider killing yourself. ~ FreeTheGeek (chapter 3)

I'm nineteen now. I'm in the middle of finding out who I want to be and where I see myself ultimately ending up. I'm in the middle of creating myself. But you can't start creating yourself before you accept yourself ~ Annie (chapter 5)

I found this term and I instantly felt all these worries and questions about my sexuality dissappearing. It's very beautiful feeling and hard to describe. It's like a wound you never knew about starts to heal and you feel warmth and it's like you're finally home ~ Verde (chapter 14)

It was that word - transgender - that had my stomach in knots. I'd heard the phrase before, sure, but it didn't quite click with me. I mean, I wasn't a boy! I played volleyball, I liked drawing, and most of all, I liked boys.
I mean, think of me, with my long blonde hair and my double d breasts, my body anything but masculine. I had accepted that I might not be straight, but as for being a girl? I mean, I shove a tampon up my vag every day for a week, I've earned the right to fit in as a girl.
But things just.... weren't right. ~ cashtiel (chapter 18)

I'm not sure of my sexuality. And thats okay. If you do know, good for you!
Congratulations on moving past such a confusing part of your life. And if like me, you don't, great. You will figure it out eventually. I will figure it out eventually. We all will. ~ kayley (chapter 7)

I began to doubt my sexuality again, which is totally normal. Maybe your initial label just didn't fit. Don't worry.