Life Has Begun At 22

So I don't normally post personal stuff on here because who wants to hear about me right? :) But I feel the need to share something with you all. I am totally introverted, have severe social anxiety, and am just naturally afraid of new people and new places. In social aspects I feel like i'm a 22 year old that's really 6. Here is what June 2013 has looked like for me.

Exactly 3 weeks ago today, June 8, I attended my first ever Pride, put on here in Spokane, WA by an amazing group called OutSpokane, with a friend. I came home that night and messaged them on Facebook to see if there was a way something Asexual related could be included in next year's pride.

June 10, 2 days later, I had a response and a friend request from a man named Michael.

On June 13, I went to the LGBT Center for the first time to meet Michael in person. While I was there, I met the Center's two co-chairs and one of the people that runs the Center everyday, Stephen.

June 22, I was sitting at the first meeting of the first ever Asexual Group in Spokane and I was leading it thanks to the help from Michael, Stephen, and the LGBT Center. I was also invited to join the group OutSpokane when they start their meetings again in August to help with next year's pride.

That was 1 week ago. In that week I have spent several afternoons just hanging at the center with the two main guys that run it during the day, Stephen and Brad. I also went to a gay bar and bistro to celebrate DOMA day with Michael and met some of his friends (first time at a bar btw). Then there's last night...

Last night, Stephen convinced me to meet him downtown at a different gay bar. This one was less chill, more club like. In the span of a few hours last night (the first one being spent clinging to my bar stool trying to not burst into tears out of fear), I met a ton of new people, got hit on for the first time (in person that I was aware of), made new friends with that same guy after telling him I'm Asexual, was told I was both fun AND awesome by that guy, talked to strangers without anyone I knew standing right by me, saw my first drag show, AND was forced to get up in front of everyone in the bar along with a few other "drag show virgins" to do a silly dance as my induction in to the gay community! And FYI I didn't drink at all because i hate alcohol so this was all done sober totally terrified out of my mind.

My point here isn't that you should run out to a gay bar and get smashed or anything. My point is that this is what joining the LGBT Community has done for me in the last 3 WEEKS. I have never been able to make friends, true good friends, easily and now suddenly I have at least 2 that are determined to help me get over my social phobias and shyness. One who has become a leadership idol and mentor as well as friend and the other is now my best friend, a real best friend. Something I haven't ever truly had before. I know I have people that will be there for me and care about me.  I feel like I'm a part of a community that I fit into. I feel like I have a chance to do something good and make a difference somehow. I have a purpose.

My life is turning around in a positive way, and all I did was get enough courage to walk into that Center.

If you are struggling with being you or don't feel like you fit in anywhere, locate your local center. LGBT Centers are amazing and no one should ever be afraid to go into one. You never know how making that step can impact your life in a good way.


xoxo

http://www.thelgbtcenter.org/