I'm not Gay myself,but have Gay guy friends so I would just like to ask the orgers here what they think?

Yes, I came out 11 years ago at 21 and the first year was disbelief, the next 5 opposition, the last 6 have been great. Its hard coming 2 terms with yourself, but realising your gay I found made my life made much more sense. Now I am just gay but I don't advertise but at the same time I not closeted and never was. To me its a part of life, I have always realised I like guys especially big older ones, it was my destiny to be a cub and chase bears. Fortunately I have one, the name Huggiebear is a meaphorical allusion to my lifestyle.

it had no effect. i've been pegged as gay since the day i was born so no one was shocked

Yes, very much so.

ehuffnsd said:

I was pegged by my aunt at 6 months and society since I was four but it affected me MASSIVELY not to hide and lie allowed me to be the real me. Thank God.

HELL yes. First off, the first time I ever liked a boy was when I was 10 years old. I had ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE what "gay" was, I knew I was just super attracted to him. Then I found out what gay was when I was 13, but I didn't think it had anything to do with me since I didn't know what I mean. But all through high school I had to hold it in and almost went crazy. Literally. I swear to God the HARDEST thing to do is fight your nature. I had everybody asking me if I was gay and I keep denying it, but deep, deep, deep down I knew I was. I used to have nightmares, panic attacks, anxiety attacks, I would skip school, stay in my room all day, thinking about killing myself. I remember the first time I ever fantasized about another guy I felt so fucking horrible and I would stay up until 3 in the morning EVERY night praying and praying and praying for God to "fix" me. And he never did so I just assumed that there's nothing wrong with me. I came out to my mother on Tuesday November 3rd, 2003. Let me tell you, ever since I came out my life has been sooooo much easier. I don't have to meticulously watch everything I say or do out of fear of someone finding out. Now, I'll tell somebody with the real quickness. Coming out has made me infinitely happy.

Yeah. I came out at 16 after a break up with my first boyfriend in High School.
It took a humongous weight off of my shoulders.

For me, it's easier and takes less energy to say "I'm gay." Then to say "Uh...yeah...I have a girlfriend....." insert all sorts of lies after that.

Not happier, just freer.

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

Definitely

Out since age of 16. Wouldn't have it any other way, so I guess yes.

Didn't actually come out to everybody until about 33.
My siblings have known since I was in high school but I was never effiminate,
kept to myself and generally quiet.
I used to think I just fooled around with guys but I had girlfriends.
I prayed and wished and begged, not to be gay, until I realized either God wasn't listening, or this prayer,unlike others wasn't going to be answered.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm gay but I don't volunteer it. I don't 'present' as gay which is hilarious sometimes - like getting caught unexpectedly checking out a guy.

This is great. I definetley had same sex attraction too, long before I realised what a gay was. Here in New Zealand I got confused as we had a series of ice cream cones called "Gaytime", so I thought when some one called me or another person a gay, that they were calling us an ice cream cone. I don't think they make Gaytime anymore.

Just one other question, why do so many of us like Prince music. Its nearly a stereotype (Oh hes gay, I bet he likes Prince)

ScarletScandal said:

Not necessarily happier, but coming out definitely made me less consumed with notions I was being cagey, dishonest, a faker, a "defective heterosexual," or a user with respect to my wife. It's quite liberating to put all your cards on the table, to welcome (and be grateful for) those who'd nonetheless remain positively in your life, and to bid goodbye to those who'd depart.

I'm gonna have to reiterate what everyone else is saying. Coming out as bi didn't make me happier per se, but it has given me more freedom. It's much easier just for people to expect me to come home with a boy or a girl (or both ) than to have to play 20 Questions about my "friend".