pwhodges wrote:Honestly, it's so innocent it's almost demure - hardly worth mentioning, really.

I mentioned it jokingly, thus the Service-Misato.
Though I have to say that people who consume lots of Anime are used to fanservice (often in much higher and crasser capacity), some friends of mine who aren't used to that pointed out that it was kind of weird.

robersora wrote:


Hehe, it is the only true ship in the series, after all.

It is indeed.

Thanks for all the congrats.

Shamsiel-kun wrote:Personally, I don't get the concept of explicitly coming out. Why can't people just be the sexuality they want to be without having to advertise it in big neon letters, so to speak?

People do so for various reasons. Part of it is because, by sitting on it and not saying anything, it feels like being dishonest with the world around you.

Also, in the mainstream, there's rarely any stigma or odd looks given if you're in a group of people (of the same gender) talking about who they find attractive in the opposite gender. The pressure to comply with that (especially in certain circles, societies, or professions) can make sitting on something like that almost unbearable, to the point that not saying it (or acknowledging it) makes the obsession with it even worse (the way hiding a secret is). Coming out (even if it's to one person) is almost like 'confessing.' It relieves the tension, and makes the pressure go away.

And it's a way of acknowledging it, and accepting it, and frankly feeling good about it. Coming out allows you to verbalize it, to almost have that 'no going back' moment, and to have someone acknowledge and validate you as a whole person. Who you are attracted to might not seem like much of a big deal...but it really is a big deal. It's a core part of who you are, since this is the wiring that is pushing you to seek some sort of temporary or permanent mate. This is a social indicator that means at least one gender (or both) has the option of interacting with you on a completely different level.

Coming out allows you to say and acknowledge that you are a more complete person than you were before, because now you know something (and accept something) about yourself.

And for some, it's solidarity: that by announcing your orientation, you're publicly standing with the GLBTQ community (which, in a lot of places, can get you more than just discrimination, it can get you killed). There are a lot of activists who think that, once you find your orientation, you are obligated to make it public. You're not: that's your own thing, and many queer folk keep that to themselves their entire lives (and that's okay). Again, there's just...a lot of reasons.

Perfectly stated.

A closet can best be alternately described as self-imprisonment.

Exactly!

There should be nothing wrong with being public about something that is integral to who you are, instead of just hiding it.

^ All of those reasons are perfectly understandable, however, I don't think I am in a closet because I am not explicitly mentioning that I like guys and girls. What I find primarily attractive in people in general is their character, and I guess that might make it easier to talk about it in discussions about what one finds attractive, because there is no need to say what gender the people concerned are. Secondary characteristics are not of much importance to me, even though there's certain things that would greatly amuse me to find in a prospective partner.

Caveat: I have never had a relationship, because my high-functioning autism makes me pretty much blind to noticing romantic attention on the spot and there's not many people I feel strongly attracted to. I do have noticed that I seem to have a strange effect on older women in a relationship, who seem to see me as ideal son-in-law material (is that bad?).

I don't tend to advertise it in real life at all. People in real life think I'm asexual, such is my lack of interest in most people and how much of a turn off it kind of is to be hit on. Until they find out I've been living with someone for ten years that they probably never figured out wasn't my brother or something.

I'm always of the camp it's nobody else's business out there, but then if you never acknowledge it, how does anyone grow more accepting. How does anyone learn enough about it not to freak out when they encounter it. It's evident that the most understanding non-LGBT people out there are often the people who've encountered someone in the community or is related to someone in the community and only knows about it because those people admitted or shared that information.

Most of the time I don't like talking about it but, I know that if we never do we'll never see progress.

That's one of the arguments a lot of activists have in regards to coming out: it's not that they have this militant agenda, or are being dramatic about it, but they're trying to put a human face on things. It's a lot harder to vote for anti-gay policies or be discriminatory when it's going to effect someone who you know and might even care about.

I'm very much gay, but I tend to like things with male-targeted fan service, for humor or for other ulterior reasons. Like I'll play Bayonetta or watch P&SwG and I won't wince at a vagina (like other people think), but it's not what I'm particularly into.

Well, this made my week. Quite possibly my month, too. Read, and be amused:

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2016/02/due- ... teen-gala/

This, kids, is why the good guys will win: it's because evil is fucking stupid. But hey, at least they made sure a bunch of kids would have a fun dance!

Well, after recently coming to terms with myself, I've finally started coming out as Bi to select few people. (Well this now means those here on Evageeks.) It certainly took a long while to do so.

I feel kind of a strange relief in doing so. So far, I've only come out to my best friend whom was very understanding and accepting about it. Next is my parents whom, I've been building courage to tell but part of me already says they know because of how they have asked me in the recent past, but it makes me all the more hopeful that they will be as accepting as I expect.

^
Congratulations, for finding the courage. It does feel like something heavy has fallen off, doesn't it? Even if it might seem strange to say it out aloud at first, it'll be better for your mental well being in the long run. I wish you the best and hope, that the talk with your parents runs smoothly!
And never forget, don't feel ashamed for something you can't help but feel.

MAGI_01 wrote:Well, after recently coming to terms with myself, I've finally started coming out as Bi to select few people.

Good for you, man. I have to say, I'm quite surprised, but congratulations nonetheless!

Congrats, MAGI_01!

Thank guys. The encouragement and support is very much welcome. It truly means a lot.

robersora wrote:^
It does feel like something heavy has fallen off, doesn't it? Even if it might seem strange to say it out aloud at first, it'll be better for your mental well being in the long run. I wish you the best and hope, that the talk with your parents runs smoothly!
And never forget, don't feel ashamed for something you can't help but feel.

It certainly does! It's like some odd invisible cloud has been lifted and and things have gotten brighter. It is indeed a little odd for me still in saying it out loud, in fact I struggled to find words a bit earlier this evening when coming out to some other, close friends since I felt the time was right to do so. Felt weird even afterwards, but I can safely say it was the right thing to do and not to mention, I have their support 100%. I really do hope it go's over well myself. (The eventual chat with my parents) I'm probably most scared now of their reaction, but I'm pretty sure it will go over well, though things will probably be kind of awkward for a bit.

And that is probably one of the single most pieces of advice that is most important I feel. I kind of did feel ashamed about it, but after a lot of inner debate I finally told myself there was nothing to be ashamed about, which was a big step in the right direction I think.

Blue Monday wrote:Good for you, man. I have to say, I'm quite surprised, but congratulations nonetheless!

Thanks man! It means a lot to me.

Congratulations.