I'm officially out. I can finally exhale.

[piggyman]

Some might remember me from years ago. I used to be an active member on this board back in 2009.

A lot has happened to me since leaving. I had to discover who I was as a person. I had a rollercoaster of a ride with life. I had some dark periods and some joys. I have lost people close to my heart and found others who accepted me for who I am.

I recall when I first joined this site, I didn't know who I was as an individual. I was in denial of my sexuality. I hoped if I pretended to act like it, I could be a different person. As I began to accept my sexuality, I knew I was gay. There was no point in changing this. I wasn't still ready to tell others. I kept this secret.

Then my mother got sick. She was the closest person dear to my heart. When she died, a small part of me died with her. I never got a chance to tell her my secret. It was a huge regret I will carry for the rest of my life. As I began to feel more comfortable, I told a few family members and close friends my secret. I was gay. Most accepted it, some didn't. Those who didn't, I made the choice to cut them out of my life.

With the support and love of someone I love dearly, I made the decision to come out to the world. I have lived for 40 years in secret. No more secrets.

I came out completely yesterday to the world. Everyone, my coworkers, relatives and friends now know my secret. I am a gay man and proud.

 

[lockeroomguy]

Congratulations

 

[KaraBulut]

Exhale, indeed.

Congratulations.

 

[jockofstrap]

You are among friends and we have all had our struggles. Celebrate with PRIDE.

 

[MusicMan321]

Congrats that's good for you of being who you are

 

[Cormac135]

Well done mate, enjoy your life.

 

[Rickrock]

Congratulations. Glad that you are comfortable with your life now.

 

[Harke the Boeotarch]

Congratulations.

 

[BiGuy1970]

Some might remember me from years ago. I used to be an active member on this board back in 2009.

A lot has happened to me since leaving. I had to discover who I was as a person. I had a rollercoaster of a ride with life. I had some dark periods and some joys. I have lost people close to my heart and found others who accepted me for who I am.

I recall when I first joined this site, I didn't know who I was as an individual. I was in denial of my sexuality. I hoped if I pretended to act like it, I could be a different person. As I began to accept my sexuality, I knew I was gay. There was no point in changing this. I wasn't still ready to tell others. I kept this secret.

Then my mother got sick. She was the closest person dear to my heart. When she died, a small part of me died with her. I never got a chance to tell her my secret. It was a huge regret I will carry for the rest of my life. As I began to feel more comfortable, I told a few family members and close friends my secret. I was gay. Most accepted it, some didn't. Those who didn't, I made the choice to cut them out of my life.

With the support and love of someone I love dearly, I made the decision to come out to the world. I have lived for 40 years in secret. No more secrets.

I came out completely yesterday to the world. Everyone, my coworkers, relatives and friends now know my secret. I am a gay man and proud.

View attachment 1421108

First off, congratulations. I bet you feel a lot better now.

I'm about to go through what you've already gone through. I've been gay my whole life. I just put it out of my mind, unless an opportunity came up. When the opportunity came up, I was more excited than I've ever been with a woman.
Now, I'm about to head down that road. I'm scared and excited.

P.S. Don't feel bad about not telling your mom. It might have made her feel bad. Not that you were gay. But there was something about you that she never knew. Moms need to think they know their kids better than their kids. It makes them happy. You see what I'm saying?

 

[TheGaymer]

I can understand. I'm in my 40s and just finally accepted that I'm gay. I have been in denial since I started to question my sexuality as a teenager. While in my early 20s, I was becoming sure that I'm gay, but continued keep that part of me a secret. I kept lying to myself and other people (including girls I have dated) that I'm straight. I look and act straight, so I could pull off that lie. However, deep down, I was feeling depressed as clinging to the lie was taking its toll on me emotionally. Recently, I started to open up to a select few family members and acquaintances I can trust not to judge or discriminate against me, and here since I'm pretty much anonymous. I'm at a point in my life, where I feel that I'm too old to continue clinging to the lie. I have been trying out some dating sites as I want settle down and eventually get married. Thank the gods gay marriage is legal in the US.

 

[BiGuy1970]

I can understand. I'm in my 40s and just finally accepted that I'm gay. I have been in denial since I started to question my sexuality as a teenager. While in my early 20s, I was becoming sure that I'm gay, but continued keep that part of me a secret. I kept lying to myself and other people (including girls I have dated) that I'm straight. I look and act straight, so I could pull off that lie. However, deep down, I was feeling depressed as clinging to the lie was taking its toll on me emotionally. Recently, I started to open up to a select few family members and acquaintances I can trust not to judge or discriminate against me, and here since I'm pretty much anonymous. I'm at a point in my life, where I feel that I'm too old to continue clinging to the lie. I have been trying out some dating sites as I want settle down and eventually get married. Thank the gods gay marriage is legal in the US.

I've had this one friend (I've never actually met in person). We met on a truckers political forum. We're totally different politically. But didn't let politics get in our way of being able to discuss other things. We've known each other for at least 10 years. Over the years, he and I played a game we call "Guy or Gal." We send a pic of someone's face, and they have to try to determine if it's a guy or gal. Some trans girls look just like women. If we guess wrong, we have to send the proof. (genitalia). Much of our conversations were about our ex wives. I told him a few years ago, that I was about done with trying to have a relationship with them. We joked about me being gay. Just to be clear, most of our conversations were about the good points of sexy women. Especially boobs and butts.
Still trying to "conform to what society believes, I continued to be straight acting. But a week ago, I took a woman out on a date. She was nice looking, good body. But even though we had decent conversations throughout the entire date, I just couldn't get a connection. Exactly like my last 4 dates. I just wasn't into it. The things I wanted to discuss, I couldn't. The attractions I should've been feeling, also wasn't there. And haven't been for a long time.
Long story short, I dropped her off 2 hours later and headed home. On my way, I called my friend and told him I was done with dating chicks. Holy hell, I can't believe I even said that. Especially to him. He asked me if I was gay. I wanted to say yes, but told him I was just sick of women. I wanted to have guy friends that weren't so redneck. And didn't want to be alone.
I guess he seen right through all that and said, "look man, we've known each other for a long time. If you're gay, it's no big deal. In fact, that would be awesome for so many reason. And I'll support you no matter what you are."
I was like "No woman has ever been that damn kind to me." In fact, no man ever has either. So, I was comfortable enough to tell him I was going to date a guy and see how it worked out. All he could say was nice and supportive things.

I guess the reason for posting all this, is just thinking that maybe coming out won't be as bad as I think it would be. He gave me a lot of hope.