Pride Centre

[Arcenciel]

Hey.

So my city has something called the Pride Centre, and it's pretty much what it sounds like. It's a resources and support centre for the LGBT community (and allies!) It's got a massive library of LGBT books and other media, groups, events, etc. It's pretty cool. I've wanted to go for a long time but was way too nervous. I'd been e-mailing with a youth worker there for a bit because I needed some support.

I e-mailed her a few days ago asking if there was a way that I could get connected with a mentor or a positive female adult role model (I'm 19, so I'm an adult, but I mean like somebody older than I am). She said that in fact, there is a mentorship program starting in the fall. But she said that this summer, there's a camp called Queer CampOUT. She told me if I wanted, I could fill out an application. It's 4 days, 3 nights, 15 campers and 10 staff in tents at a lake. And it's free...Which is awesome for me because I don't make enough money to do a lot of stuff.

SO! I have a mental illness, and part of it is pretty anxiety based. Most of it actually. New situations, new people, new places all freak me the fuck out lol. I get very nervous to the point of crying when i have to try something new. I've been going to a mental health group called Challenge By Choice, and they have been taking me out to places for field trips, and I've been meeting lots of people. I really think it's been working, BECAUSE....

Yesterday I told the lady at the pride centre that I would love to join them for camp, filled out the form, got time off work, and WENT TO THE PRIDE CENTRE to hand it in. Without even thinking about how scary it was going to be. I just went.

I'm freaking myself out with this independence. Like really..I've never done something like that before. The lady at the pride centre told me the different programs that happen there for youth every night...and I'm so going this wednesday for their knitting group! Oh my god. Gay youth in a room knitting together. It's what I've wanted this whole time. LGBT people who are interested in the same things I am (well...I crochet, not knit, but it's still yarn work). Oh my gosh I'm so excited. They gave me a tour of the centre, a rainbow bracelet, a pen (it has their old address on it so they're trying to be rid of the pens ) and a membership card! I went to the store last night and got it laminated because I love it so much. It has my name on it and everything.

I'm glad that I got myself out of my comfort zone. I'm so proud. so proud of myself for doing that without support. I didn't even talk to my therapist about it before doing it. I just did it.

Thanks for listening. Encouragement is needed...I'm freaking myself out now hahaha.

[Insanity]

WOW! That is so awesome! Both that you made yourself go out of your comfort zone and experience something new and that it turned out so well! Its always lovely when you do something that you wouldn't normally do and it turns out to be really nice and exciting. I am so glad for you!

[Brighter.than.sun]

Hi Jen,
I'm very proud of you that you stepped out of your comfort zone and went and did something that you know you would have been scared of to do before. I know it's a hard thing to do some times but you did it and you did it well and that deserves some applause. I think that you will have fun on the campout it so sounds like something I wish they had around here in california . Anyways enough about me. I hope you had fun at the knitting group last night and that you made a lot of new friends. Did I ever tell you i took up knitting :O ? Anyways I am very very proud of you that you were able to do this. It feels good to complete an Accomplishment like this doesn't it? Keep up Jen your doing great !
Have a great day and take care <3

[Syzygy.]

Hey Jen!

I know we've talked about this a little bit, but I don't think I've stressed enough how awesome I think this is. I tend to get anxious in new situations and around new people too, so I can understand where you're coming from with this, and I know how hard it must have been for you to go and do all that. I'm so glad this has turned out to be such a positive experience for you, because you deserve to have more fun and friends in your life. It's great to see courage paying off, and I hope things keep going well for you. If you do end up going on the camp, don't forget to tell us all about it, okay? Now you've overcome your fear and done something you probably originally thought you couldn't do, the sky's the limit.

Good luck with everything.