You know, it's really hard not being able to be open about who I am in my real life. I found someone special, but I can't tell my parents, can't tell my friends, can't tell my coworkers... But I thought to myself, 'At least here on SG I can be open about who I am and who I love. At least here on SG I don't have to hide, can let out some of that excitement and joy that I can't express elsewhere. Everyone there will understand and be happy for me even if the people in my real life can't.'
Well.... I was wrong about that. I must follow a "don't ask don't tell" code because my happiness (a happiness hard-won and long overdue, I might add) is offensive to some on here. So even in this bastion of tolerance and support I have to suppress that part of myself so as not to make you all uncomfortable. C'est la vie, mon ami.
Edit 6/14/2015: Thank you SG admin for being diplomatic concerning this matter and being on the side of diversity and love. I'm happy to update that this issue has been resolved. Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement and support. <3
Is this lack of tolerance due to the sub-groups you posted to ... or "SG" in general?
No one is forcing any member to read everything that is posted here at "SG" ... so with that in mind ... why should they be offended?
"Don't Ask Don't Tell" ... how about "Don't Read - Don't Be Offended"?
There are sub-groups I purposely stay away from because they move me out of my comfort zone. I know bad things befall other members here and I cannot deal with reading their pain ... so I move along. It keeps me safe.
There is so much pain and sadness in this world ... and so much pain and sadness on "SG". Is it really too much to allow others to have some happiness if they are lucky enough to find it?
I believe "SupportGroups.com" was designed to give people a safe haven ... or am I wrong?
Sometimes a piece of happiness is part of the cure !!!
I am a romantic at heart. I am also heterosexual ... but not that it should matter in the slightest. I will also add I have just passed through a year of hell due to infidelity creeping into my life ... which almost brought me to my knees ... "ALMOST".
I was vicariously touched that two people had found something which seems so rare and elusive to many ... and were able to express and share their happiness with others. It was in fact a nice change of pace to what I normally see and read at "SG".
It should not always be "Gloom & Doom" ...
I admire and am very impressed in "AnaLeigh" for what she contributes at "SG" ... and also to what she contributes to others outside of "SG" as she works with terminally ill patients. I also know that she ... like most of us here ... faces hardships and difficulties in life.
In regards to this issue ... I think "support" and the spirit of a support group failed her this time ... and I cannot help but be disappointed as well.
"Love Means Never Having To Say You Are Sorry" ... but should you have to say sorry for being in love?
Excuse me now as I step down from my "soap box" ...
Thank you for your support everyone. While I agree with all of you, because a complaint was made to SG admin it has been decreed that I can not mention anything pertaining to a certain aspect of my life. I can not mention this aspect to people in my real life either because my family is not particularly "enlightened" and also certain stigmas still persist in our society. So while "be yourself all the time" is a great message that should be reinforced, it is not practical for me at this point in time. As I stated previously, I had hoped that here at least I could be open without fear of being silenced (as long as I abided by the site rules of course), but I was mistaken.
Ok, so somebody found something you posted offensive. SO WHAT ! Don't worry about what others think. You can only control how you react to a situation or other people, you can not control the situation or other people. Learning this has been one of the greatest lessons I have ever learned. Also, you can't judge people by just another person. Each person is a separate person. Not everybody can be trusted, but if you give people a chance, you may be able to find someone you can trust. If you don't give people a chance, than you will be a very lonely person. Be open. Good luck, never give in, and never give up !
@StewLin I can’t “be open” if it’s going to get me kicked off the site that helps me so much. Admin has decreed that I can not mention certain aspects of my life and I must abide. Read my other comments on this thread.
I don't know what subgroup that person was an admin of but that was awful. At least you can post about it in gay/lesbian and bisexual groups. I mean, why else would they exist. I'm bisexual myself, but even if I were straight, I'd fully support you. We'll always be here for you in the LGBT groups.
I am bisexual, and if anyone has a problem with that then they can go s*** a m************ d***!! lol (I bleeped that out)
But this site IS okay to post on, and share your deep personal feelings and things you can't find the words to tell anyone else. #bicommunityunites!