When I first knew my partner, I did not expect the relationship to last. Not because I thought we were incompatible or too young or too anything, really, just because it seemed statistically so unlikely. We didn't have a real discussion about this, though. I remember I said openly that it was improb...

Oh Atonement, that's terrible. Talking to your boss sounds like a good idea, certainly. Perhaps you might want to look up the legal situation where you live around matters like these - I know that in my country, no one is required to risk their own safety, not even at the cost of a patients' life . ...

When I got my first period, I was very relieved. I was comparatively old when it happened, and I had been beginning to fear that there was something wrong with me. I was pretty well prepared, I think. My family was very relaxed about nudity and body functions, so I knew what I had to expect. Strange...

Hello Tigger, first of all, I would like to say I admire you hugely. From what you've written here, you have gone through an awful lot and yet you still come across as strong and fighting, even positive. I find your posts incredibly helpful for me personally to read. So thank you for that. You asked...

Hey there, man, I am so sorry. It sounds to me as if you had sex you might not have wanted for the sex itself but just because you were hoping it would help your relationship. Did I get that right? Was it your idea / your decision or did you feel pressured to do it? Do you have any idea where your f...

Hey there, do you think it might make you feel more at ease if you began with getting his thoughts and feelings on the matter - or just on sexuality in general? Just a thought, because I'm getting the impression that you're very unsure what his views really are. Perhaps you two are more on the same ...

Just posting again to make this thread be the most recent one and show up right away when anybody comes to the board. Also to say I am very sorry, didn't want to imply people with mental illness are more violent than anybody else (which they really aren't, folks. That's a common misconception). I gu...

Per the second option above - seeking out more queer folk and/or communities - I've suggested that a couple of times, and I notice you not seeming to really take that up. Of course, that's completely up to you, whether you feel like it's something you want to do or can do or not. I just want to che...

I feel as if I should be angry, but lack the strength. Or the hope. I just feel very sad and helpless. I don't understand, I cannot understand, how a human being can commit such a crime. What could he possibly gain by this? It makes no sense, no sense at all. I also feel very scared for the people I...

Thanks, I'm fine with broadening the topic. Am I happy with how I live my queer self? For the most part, yes. I am happy in my relationship. I love my partner. I honestly and fully accept the fact that I am attracted to people of every gender. More than that, I like it, I think it makes my life rich...

I'd really like to say something, anything, to express sympathy (that's too weak a word, but I can't think of any better right now) with the victims and their families. But I don't know what to say. I don't have words that are adequate for something so horrific. It's times like these where I wish I ...

Wow, thanks Redskies! You've really put some things into perspective for me. You are right, I never closeted myself. It's other people just assuming I am what they think I am, and my experience with my family, for example, has been that evidence to the contrary is just ignored unless I rub it right ...

Oh, and hello Mo, thank you as well for your kind words. I feel a bit reassured now. Yeah, these people being colleagues from work doesn't exactly make anything easier. It's not as if there would be any danger to me; I don't live in a place where being gay is illegal or anything, my experiences with...

Hey Carmen, thanks for the reply! I think I feel guilty because I assume that if the women I feel attracted to knew I was looking at them "that way", they would be grossed out and uncomfortable. When we were growing up, girls in school would not want to sit next to my friend or be in the c...

Hello everyone, there's something I've been fretting about a bit lately and I was wondering if any of the lovely people who frequent this place could give me any insights / advice. Lately, I have begun hanging out a bit more with other women from work ("more" in my case being more than a m...

I usually don't bother any more. It used to drive me up the wall when people didn't understand me or obviously had totally inaccurate ideas about me and in a way it still does, but I've found it takes up too much of my energy to try and explain myself and the result is often disappointing. For examp...

So these are some random questions I have inthe context of a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. Or significant other to include both genders. 1. What do you think love is and how do you know your in it? Like when you tell someone I love you how do you know? 2. How long do you have to know someone b...

Congratulations on finding a good therapist! You deserve it, and I hope she will continue to be a good fit. I wish it were just about looks though. I feel like I would maybe have an easier time letting this go if it WAS just about looks, and I could have some kind of guarantee that I wouldn't come d...

PS. Another thing I forgot to mention was that I told her about the feelings of disgust I have about my weight sometimes and how sometimes I when I see unposed pictures of myself, I sometimes think "This is how other people see me every day. They much think I'm disgusting". Question: Do y...

Hey there, I am very sorry, you must have either misunderstood me or I must have not expressed myself clearly. I have unfortunately never had any kind of proper therapy, I've been on my own with the help of a very good GP and quite a lot of information that comes with my job (I work in healthcare li...

Growing up and learning to be a woman was AWFUL. I hated it and everything felt wrong all the time. I deeply hated the ways my body changed and strongly coded me as "woman" - although again, that's very complex, because many young cis women who are generally comfortable with their gender ...

Hey there, I do not share your problem, but I wanted you to know that somebody read this. Besides, have a few thoughts: - Do you want to masturbate, or is this something you think you should be doing because you are a certain age or because it's considered "normal" to do so? Because sure, ...

Atonement, I just want to give you a huge high five for putting so much effort into finding a therapist! I know how scary and discouraging that can be, and I think you are amazing for only putting it off for a few days. Like Heather has already said, a good therapist won't judge you. And a good doct...

You guys have really made me think these past few days... What is it exactly that makes me think I am very feminine? How do I define that? Is it a preference for certain clothes? Most days, you'll find me wearing jeans and sweaters, but that's for practical reasons, I feel the most comfortable in sk...

I have a hard time figuring out what people expect of me, let alone why... At work, I often get the impression that people think I am rather stupid. But whether that's because I am shy or because I am blond and my voice is high-pitched, or because I really am or act stupid, I cannot say. I must admi...