National Coming Out Day
I haven't been very active on livejournal as of late due to problems that occured with my laptop. I am back now though, and ready to make some friends and let myself be heard.
Which brings me to this entry. Today is National Coming Out Day, which celebrates the often traumatizing act of "coming out". My personal belief is that "coming out" should not just refer to those of queer sexualities or queer genders. There are many people in this world who feel obligated to hide certain aspects of their personalities for fear of persecution. Thus, my definition of National Coming Out Day is a bit broader than typical.
That being said, I am a pansexual, pangendered female who follows a pagan lifestyle, has masochistic tendencies, and whose mind functions in a way which most professionals of the field of psychology would define as "abnormal" or "disordered". I also enjoy homoerotic fiction and find androgyny incredibly attractive.
I spent much of my young life confused, afraid and worried that I was weird or evil. Although I harbor no ill will towards my Christian parents, I do attribute much of my early frustrations and fears to the bigotry and ignorance which unfortunately runs rampant through Christianity. After a very long journey of research and self-discovery I chose paganism as my spiritual path and I have found more peace, acceptance and stability this way than I ever knew as a Christian. This does not mean I hate Christianity (many of my friends are Christian), but that it simply was not the healthiest path for me.
These days I love life, which is something I could not have said several years ago. I have come to accept my quirkiness and even celebrate it, though the process of fully coming into my own and being completely confident with my choices and my natural self is still ongoing.
I have known pain, and through pain I have found joy and peace.
Please, if you have ever dealt--or are still dealing--with issues of identity, depression, religious, sexual or gender confusion, I would love to talk with you, even if it just means letting you "come out" to a stranger who cares.
Happy National Coming Out Day, livejournal!
Which brings me to this entry. Today is National Coming Out Day, which celebrates the often traumatizing act of "coming out". My personal belief is that "coming out" should not just refer to those of queer sexualities or queer genders. There are many people in this world who feel obligated to hide certain aspects of their personalities for fear of persecution. Thus, my definition of National Coming Out Day is a bit broader than typical.
That being said, I am a pansexual, pangendered female who follows a pagan lifestyle, has masochistic tendencies, and whose mind functions in a way which most professionals of the field of psychology would define as "abnormal" or "disordered". I also enjoy homoerotic fiction and find androgyny incredibly attractive.
I spent much of my young life confused, afraid and worried that I was weird or evil. Although I harbor no ill will towards my Christian parents, I do attribute much of my early frustrations and fears to the bigotry and ignorance which unfortunately runs rampant through Christianity. After a very long journey of research and self-discovery I chose paganism as my spiritual path and I have found more peace, acceptance and stability this way than I ever knew as a Christian. This does not mean I hate Christianity (many of my friends are Christian), but that it simply was not the healthiest path for me.
These days I love life, which is something I could not have said several years ago. I have come to accept my quirkiness and even celebrate it, though the process of fully coming into my own and being completely confident with my choices and my natural self is still ongoing.
I have known pain, and through pain I have found joy and peace.
Please, if you have ever dealt--or are still dealing--with issues of identity, depression, religious, sexual or gender confusion, I would love to talk with you, even if it just means letting you "come out" to a stranger who cares.
Happy National Coming Out Day, livejournal!