Open Closets

Anniversary chapter 4

There was literally so many good advices in this book that I just needed to make another compilation of them. Enjoy and please remember that you are strong and amazing and that we love you.

If you are struggling with your sexuality, please please please remember that you don't need to label yourself. You don't need to. Which is what I wish I would've known. Because I was too worried about am I this or that. You don't need to label yourself at all. If you think you like the same sex, go for it. You also don't need to be public about it. You don't need to be flaunting your sexuality around. Some people do, and that's amazing. But you don't need to. If you are struggling, please talk to someone who will understand and will help. ~ Dyl (chapter 4)

It's been a long journey, and it's nowhere near over. The good times have been good, and the bad times have surely been bad, but you can't skip chapters in your life. You may be in the beginning, questioning who and what you are, wanting to rush to the point where you're comfortable, but the truth is you can't. Your life is a book in the process of being written, and as much as we all want to, you can't skip ahead. ~ cashtiel (chapter 18)

Those of you who are questioning your own sexuliaty, know that it's not about labeling, it's about feeling. For a long time I didn't know how to label my feelings, and in ways, I'm still exploring it. But that doesn't matter. What matters is accepting and loving yourself. Don't try to label yourself if you're not ready. Despite what your friends and family may say, you know yourself better than anyone else. It's important to remember that over time people change. So perhaps once you associated yourself with one label, but as you grow you learn more about yourself. Identify yourself however YOU want, by your own standards. ~ Emma (chapter 24)

If you are genderfluid or trans or anything else and struggle with dysphoria over your boobs please make sure you bind responsibly with a binder that fits you and don't use ace bandage or tape or anything else because it is extremely dangerous. ~ Kacie (chapter 32)

What I want to say to any young LGBT+ people is that you are not alone. The stress I went through was unnecessary and I wish I had known that at the time, not just suffered through it.
Please keep that in mind. If you are currently in a position where you don't know who you are and that's freaking you out then talk to someone. Whether that be someone you trust in real life, an internet friend or even a stranger on here or something. Don't hold it in and make yourself hurt, because from experience I can tell you that it is 100% not worth it. ~ Emily (chapter 11)

Your sexuality is real, and your feelings are valid. You can go, be whoever you want and choose whatever prounous you choose, love. Come out when you're sure it's 100% safe. Never let anyone EVER tell you your own sexuality, because you are the only person who knows your sexuality. (same goes for gender indentity) your. sex. organs. do. not. define. your. gender. identity.
The people who don't accept you, don't deserve an ounce of your time and effort. You are your own person and are not defined by the people who like you and the people you like. Don't be afraid to call people out if they use the wrong pronouns or asume the person you date is of has the opposite gender. Please, always do what makes you happy. Put yourself and your needs first because you're beautiful and wonderful inside out. No matter what disorder or diseas or ilness or sexuality or gender identity or grades or body type YOU ARE INCREDIBLE. Learn to love yourself and then everything after that gets a bit easier. ~ anonymous (chapter 38)

The best bit of advice I could give someone who's in the closet or is in the process of coming out is that it's equally okay to label yourself as it is to not label yourself. Some people find comfort in putting a label on what they're feeling, and some people don't. Both of them are fine, but you should be in complete control of the when and how and who of your coming out process and whether you choose to label yourself or not. ~ Niamh (chapter 12)

For me identifying as something has been quite easy, but finding the right words and terms for how I felt and was suprisingly hard. Don't start doubting yourself - it can take many years to get there and you don't have to hurry. And you don't have to label yourself if you don't want to. I label myself because it makes me feel more okay with myself and that I belong to somewhere. ~Verde (chapter 14)

So bisexuals, people will tell you that it's just a phase, that your just confused or " that bisexuality doesn't exist. You are living proof that it DOES exist.
You know your mind enough to know that you're not confused. I know for a fact that I find both boys and girls attractive and you know what? 10 year old me couldn't see it but IT IS okay.
I am bisexual and I am real. ~ FreeTheGeek (chapter 3)

In terms of coming out, wait until you feel comfortable with yourself. In a perfect society, people shouldn't feel the need to come out, but sadly some places aren't like that yet. If you want to come out, do. If you don't, don't. For those who do, I will pass on a good piece of advice I was given: make a playlist of empowering songs. When I listened to songs like "Girls/Girls/Boys", "Born This Way" and "Don't Stop Believin'", and took the words to heart, I found that I was a lot more confident with myself. ~ Emma (chapter 24)

I want you to know that your race, gender, sexuality, or religion does not define you. You are your own person, and you can decide how you want to live. No one makes decisions except for yourself. We are all human, and should be treated equally.

Discovering your sexuality is probably one of the most terrifying parts of your life. Hell, im still going through it. And I'm going through it with you. If you, the person reading this, is scared of your sexuality and coming to terms with it, know that I'm literally going through it with you. If it makes you feel better, someone you know probably is too. You're not alone. ~ kayley (chapter 7)

Even when you've accepted yourself, nervousness still will boil up every time it comes to wondering whether your dad will accept you, whether your best friend will accept you, whether your teachers will accept you. I get it. I understand. Sometimes it feels like self hatred will shove itself down your throat, will make you feel worthless and broken because you're not like the other kids.
But if there's anything I can tell you, is it gets better. It'll be harder to tell those who are close to you than people at school when it comes to being anything outside the norm. I told my mother in a panic attack, but earlier today I casually mentioned to one of my close acquaintances that I was trans, that I was a guy, and I have never been more proud of myself.

Not everyone has the opportunity to come out. Not everyone has the courage to come out. Some people are just fighting their battles alone. So if you are fighting your battle alone please tell someone. Tell me, tell the maker of this book, tell a friend, tell the Trevor project, tell someone who'll understand. 'Cause some burdens are simply to hard to carry alone. I wish you all the best. And I wish for you that you fight, but try to find someone to fight with you. Just like I am for my best friend right now. There are so many army's to stand against, so many battles to win, and no one should have to do that alone.~ Annie (chapter 15)