One thing that forum users may not know about our wonderful community is that many of us like to identify ourselves as Not-Heterosexuals! Some of us have interesting experiences, some happy, some maybe unfortunately sad. But here is a place for a community within the community where we can celebrate being ourselves, support each other, perhaps a place where people can ask questions if they wanted to know something more from someone who probably gets what they'd ask, talk about anything that's burning on their mind, and etc cetera. I'm terrible at general introductions with things like this, sorry xD
So yeah, if anyone has anything they feel like sharing, or asking, go nuts! I'll periodically check this thread if anything doesn't really get addressed.
Some rules that are very important before you post here though, and please keep them in mind:
1. This is a support thread first and foremost. Please feel free to discuss anything to your heart's content as long as no one has any objection to it. Some topics within this community can be controversial, and two people are free to discuss about these issues if it's important and respectful; but be aware to a third person reading what you say, it could trigger something upsetting inside. If anyone ever tells you this, the only thing I generally ask is that the conversation finishes somewhere perhaps not on this thread.
2. Allies, also known as Cisgender Heterosexual Supporters, are more than welcome to post on this topic for ANY reason. As long as they are respectful when addressing others, there is no reason that they cannot be involved here with us as well.
3. You are not to OUT anyone on this thread. This strictly means that if you are talking about someone other than yourself, you must be very vigilant to not discuss any kind of clue to that person where someone can figure out who you're talking about. Some of the people within this community opt not to discuss their sexuality or their orientation except behind closed doors, in confidence to you only. If they have decided this, do not disrespect that, please. You are only allowed to discuss people's sexual orientations if they themselves have gone public in this thread only, otherwise, please do not do this.
4. This is a large, diverse, and ever-expanding community. They usually prefer not to be labeled. How I generally think about labels is that they are subjective, meaning that they help you understand something, and perhaps you alone. But how people view themselves could be different from how you believe they are, so please be careful not to step on their toes.
For Example, someone might say that they could envision themselves as being able to have a partner, independent of gender.
Inappropriate Question to ask: "So, you're Bisexual then, right? Wait, you're not? But how can't you be?"
Appropriate Question to ask: "So, what do you look for in a person, then? Is there a more umbrella term that can help me understand?"
5. This thread is meant to protect and respect the views commonly held by the LGBT community. If someone has taken offense to something you may have said on this thread, please apologize for that, and either be more prudent and careful about your word choices, or stop discussing the belief entirely. This prudence goes both ways, however. If you are a member of this community who has been offended by the way a person has said something, please give them respect and explain your objections. Flaming people who have offended you will not be tolerated, as per the Forum Rules.
6. And finally, if you're unsure, on the fence about saying something that might be disrespectful here, please just use a PM, or not post here.
Alright, and with that, let the rainbow memes commenceeeeeeeeee