Author: Yema  A.K.A Lady Lover 4 Lyfe
Email: lovyema@yahoo.com

I don't have a Story but I do have a poem
I came out that stank closet

Hidden in denial and fear, to accept who I am

Everyday of my life so many jokes of homosexuality

My ears hear as my soul cries

For I know who I am but if I step out this closet

And reveal to all others there's no going back

There will be no doors to shield my heart

From the terrors of my society

I may lose all that has meaning

But why shall I live within four walls

With no windows or blossom flowers

For why shall I imprison myself?

When society continues to do it for me

I'm only reminded of how satanic I am

And how my being is disgusting

By those that judge me by my sexual orientation

For I am who I am, a lesbian

One that shall no longer hide behind curtains

Nor the shade of a tree

Or even deny whom she'd rather sleep with
 
One that shall scream with pride who is without hesitation?

Anonymous

Here is a quote that allowed me to accept who I was:
"Who you are is good enough if you would only be it openly." ~Carl Rogers

Out of the Shadows
Justin C (20yo)
Founder of TruthSetsFree.net

It was three years ago and I was a freshman at Earlham College, a Quaker liberal arts college in Richmond, Indiana. Like every other freshman, I had mixed feelings of excitement about all the new people, clubs, and the independence, as well as a little apprehension about so much newness and so much unknown. What I did not know, however, was just how much I would discover that year.

National Coming Out day rolled around, I forget the date, but we all knew because of the chalking on the sidewalks that the campus’ GLBTQ group had done the night before. You know, catchy phrases like, “2, 4, 6, 8…don’t assume your grandma’s straight.” The following Friday in the school’s newspaper a conservative Christian student had written a letter to the editor in which he harshly condemned homosexuality using Leviticus 18:22 as his basis.

Having been raised in a Christian home, and having felt a calling towards ministry since the eighth grade I was quite aware at the time that his usage of the Leviticus law was quite ironic since Leviticus also condemns shaving one’s beard, eating shrimp, wearing clothing made of two fabrics, etc. As I was writing a response, I recognized that the reason I felt compelled to respond was not simply because he was misusing Scripture or because I wanted to defend my gay friends, but I realized that I was in fact defending myself. It was in writing that letter that I realized I was gay.

I finished the letter, pointing out his hypocrisy in using Leviticus, but I knew very well that there were so many other verses in the Bible used to condemn homosexuals. That week began what turned into three years of personal Bible study. I wanted to answer the question, “What exactly does the Bible say about homosexuality?” Nobody knew at this time that I was gay, and when the next issue of the school paper came out my mom even asked me on the phone if I was gay, and I remember lying to her.

Through my studies I found numerous resources on both sides, but I didn’t want to jump to a conclusion based on a little 2-page leaflet that “proves” the Bible doesn’t say anything about homosexuality. I wanted whatever conclusion to be a true conviction. What I discovered through in-depth Bible study did, nonetheless, begin my personal journey out of the shadows of self-hate and lies, into the Light of self-acceptance. Never did I imagine that I would be sitting here writing a letter about my story to be published. I had come to see that there was no blanket condemnation of homosexuality, but rather homogenitality (i.e. homosexual sex) was only mentioned within the context of rape, prostitution, pederasty, etc…all practices common in biblical times which I too would condemn.

A few months after coming out to my family and some close friends I wrote a study in which I examined the six verses most commonly misinterpreted to condemn homosexuality. Eventually my Bishop and two others came beside me to financially support the printing and publication of this study and I eventually established www.TruthSetsFree.net as a means of sharing my study with those in need.

Since I launched TruthSetsFree.net I have been interviewed on the Michelangelo Signorile Radio Show on OutQ SIRIUS radio and am arranged to be interviewed on Canadian gay rights activist Cheri DiNovo’s radio show “Radical Reverend” on May 19th.  I have even recruited a media coordinator and fundraising manager, both of whom are amazing gay Christians!

My study presents the Truth that set me free...not free to do whatever I want, but free to step out of the shadows of lies and self-hate to a place where I can truly embrace myself. As I am writing this I am mindful of the fact that there will soon be an article about my emerging ministry in my hometown paper, which serves a very rural area in the thumb of Michigan. I know, however, that there is nothing to fear, for Truth brought my thus far, and what an adventure it has been!!

Author: Keisha J
Email: Frendligrl82@aol.com

I officially came out to my closest friends and family in February of this year but I come out a little more every day. I feel like my sexuality has unfolded slowly starting from the time i was in elementary.
I remember playing house with my best friend and how exhilarating it felt to kiss her when we pretended to be husband and wife.
I remember getting dressed in gym with my classmates in junior high and letting my eyes linger on their bodies for too long and then feeling like something was wrong with me.
I remember having a 25 year old girlfriend, who was bisexual, when i was 17 years old and how comfortable and right it felt to be with another woman. For a time I thought i was bisexual too but somewhere deep inside it didn't feel right.
And now at 21 years old, after i realized that i had more than 'friendly' feelings towards one of my closest friends, who came out a week before i did, that I am gay.
I now accept the fact that i am a woman who loves other women. I am gay. I am a lesbian and it's okay.
One day I'll feel confident enough to say it loud and proud to anyone and everyone but for now I am happy that I can accept in my head and in my heart.

Author: Jen

Well, here's a poem I wrote when I was really mad at my mom. I had just come out to her, and she was basically ignoring me,
thought I was going through "some phase". So, here goes.

      Why do we listen
      to all the discriminators
      When they say "She's a
      lesbian, I hate her."

      Why don't we just say
      fuck it and do what's in our hearts
      Instead of letting this
      homophobic world tear us apart.

      Why do we let our
      parents bring us down
      when they read our journels
      and scream at what they've just found

      Why do we commit suicide,
      And let our friends make us
      feel uncomfortable
      if we don't hide.

      Why can't we just say
      fuck it and oh well
      When they're the ones
      burning hell.

Author: Jennifer
Email: sc_bi_hottie@yahoo.com

I came out to my sister in April of 2000. But, it wasn't until August of 2003 that I had my first bi encounter. After that I came out to my husband, my father and a few friends. Everyone is fine with it except my husband a my best friend. Anyway...I have met a really wonderful woman and the more time I spend with her, the more I want to shout to the world that I am bi. I have never been in love with a woman, but I am now. She is great. She has taught me that being bi is ok. That I am not "crazy" or "sick".. I only wished the rest of the world thought the same way.

Author: jenny j
Email: jenny1daryl@yahoo.com

I am a happily married women, but I have always had a certain connection with women. .they are beautiful. I told my husband how I felt and he was completely supportive (what a guy!) so from then on, I have experienced the true beauty of another women soft skin on mine, and am not ashamed to tell anyone and everyone that I am a happy bisexual female. Not alot of people are supportive, but the way I see . .You only live once so be who you are, not who others want you to be!!!

Author: Vic
Email: Ov3rDaRaInBOW311@sbcglobal.net

Is life ever easy? I guess that question can never be answered. For so long now I've been searching for so many answers. Why do people hate me? Why do people discriminate? Well, now it's my turn, my chance.
     The day I met my first girlfriend, I knew that she was the one. When she smiled there was so much there. I swear we both fell in love. I've known her for 4 years now, we only dated a month.  It still hurts to think of what I lost. I still love her. Just not as I did before. When I told my mom she was cool but to this day I would die to hear my father say he approved of me. Heck I'd die to hear him say he was even proud. Writing this story hurts. It reminds me of all the s#^@ people have done.
       Now I have truly found the love of my life, my girlfriend Caitlin. I met her and from there we have been indestructible. I love her with my life. She has my heart forever. On the 26th it will be 9 months. I've never felt like this for anyone else. She truly has been there for me through so much. I can't express my feelings for her. Thank you Caitlin, I love you.
     If I could tell the world my story I would but there's too much that still hurts so for now here's the basics. Thanks for taking the time to read this. It means a lot to me.

Author:  Anonymous

if i look back on my last 12 yrs of life, i would of told u i was happy with who i was   and what i have become. see 12 yrs ago i met my husband and i thought there was no other for me.now my happy 3 yrs ago to my happy now is so so different, see im the happiest i have ever been now, because of one person, she has opened my eyes and shown me what true love is!i have always known i was bi, and was happy being so as i hadnt found anyone else besides my husband that i truly loved. it all started with me and her one drunken night, we had flirted like mad for weeks before hand, and finally it happened. so we started going out just so we could fool around, and we even went away for 4 days, hubby knew and wasnt happy, but i didnt care,i was so into her!
so 18 months later, she has been through a bf and a gf since and has come back to me,not that we ever lost contact infact we became best of friends and saw each other every other day. but now its different, im stuck, see my happiness i have with her out ways that of my hubbies, i have fallen in love with her, and her with me, yet we cant be what we want as i have 2 children to my hubby, and he will take them if i went. i only wish that 12 yrs ago my happiness could excel past that of which i felt, maybe i would not of been so hasty to marry for convenience, and waited for the one i truly, deeply, and entirely feel for.

Author: JAMAICA
Email: rebellover69692@cableone.net

WILL IT WAS LIKE THIS, I WAS A 10th GRADER AT MY LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL. WHEN I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT WAS NOT LOOKING TO MUCH AT THE GUYS THAT I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH IT WAS THE GIRLS. NOT TO SAY THE LEAST I PLAYED SOFTBALL WITH ALL LESBIANS. BUT, THEIR WAS THIS ONE GIRL THAT I WOULD ALWAYS LOOK AT BUT, I KNEW SHE JUST WOULD NOT HAVE ME. SO, I STARTED LOOKING ELSEWHERE BUT ALWAYS KEPT THAT ONE IN MIND. FINALLY CHRISTMAS OF '95 I FOUND THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. SHE WAS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL AND WORKED AT A LOCAL RETAIL STORE. WE STARTED SEEING EACH OTHER AND, THEN WE MOVED IN WITH EACH OTHER. WE WHERE TOGETHER FOR 9 YEARS AND FINALLY CALLED IT OFF. BUT TO THIS DAY WE ARE THE BEST FRIENDS. BUT KNOW I HAVE A PROBLEM THE ONE I WANT TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH IS TAKEN AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO?

Author:  Anonymous

i came out to my sister first. i thought see would
 hate me but she told me it was o,k we are closer now than before.
everyone knows now.

Author: Lindsay
Email: MistressAkana@hotmail.com

I've grown up knowing I was a Lesbian. But I finally let the world know when my mom said something that made me feel horrible. She did know about me and she was just joking but it still hurt. After a week of worrying over it i final say down with her and told my mom I was a lesbian. She laughed, not in a mean way but in "your-silly-for-thinking-I-dislike-gays" way.
I was so relieved that i stopped caring what people think. Its my life right?
Now I'm very obvious about myself with others and i could never been happier!!!