Coming Out / Community Support

[chrismac]

Anyone know of any groups (I hesitate to call them support groups - that just brings up visions of a bunch unhappy, lifeless people sitting circular fashion in fold-out chairs at night in some basement downtown) where gays and lesbians can meet to discuss coming out?

 

I've seen the website for PFLAG, but that seems more to deal with parents, friends, and family members.

 

I'm not looking for a dating service, or an activist political organization, but a place where people can just talk and listen to experiences in a non-threatening and judgemental setting. That's probably too ideal, but maybe some organization or local group exists.

 

Anyone know of such a thing in Southern California (especially San Diego area)?

 

Having recently moved back to the States and settling in San Diego, it can be difficult to locate others who just want to get together to talk informally. All the sites seem either to concentrate on quickie sex hookups or getting involved politically (I need to resolve a few things before I'm ready for that).

 

I'm sure many of you have been very brave and courageous in coming out early in your lives and suffered backlashes, heartache, and perhaps even physical or mental abuse for it. I admire those who felt so strongly early on. Up until I graduated from college, I was still feeling good about dating girls, and although I knew I had feelings about guys as well, I kept those buried as deeply as possible. Now that I'm an adult, it's passed time to get my life squared away.

 

Thanks for any advice you kind people may have.

[chrismac]

>talk and listen to experiences in a non-threatening and

>judgemental setting.

 

I meant write "non-threatening and NON-judgemental..."

[Guest tmbg]

Contact the G&L Center for groups in your area. Also, your local gay zines, Uptown and Update might have some listings in them related to various support / social groups.

 

Cheers! Ritchie