Seacoast Stories
Seacoast Outright is more than just a support group; Seacoast Outright is more than just a social network; Seacoast Outright is a home. I was 20 years old when I found SO, four years after I "came out." In those four years, I didn't get a whole lot of support. At 20 I was living alone in a new city and I didn't know anyone. I was depressed and didn't really have any direction for my life. I spent nearly 3 months alone in my apartment before an acquaintance I met online told me "Lets meet at Seacoast Outright! You'll love the people there." She was so right. SO brought friends, support, and more importantly a mission to my life. I can truly say that I don't know where I would be right now if it weren't for Seacoast Outright.
When I first came to Seacoast Outright, I came alone, with MapQuest directions and a nervous stomach. Will there be a lot of people there? Will they be nice? Double yes. Over the past few years, S.O. helped me come into my sexuality and learn to appreciate what it feels like to be part of a community I chose to be a part of and could relate to. As a young man who identifies as queer, Seacoast Outright has been my safe space to laugh, cry and shake my fists. It will always be an integral part of my coming of age.
Seacoast Outright has and continues to be a major motivator in my life. When I walked through the door for the first time back in 2002, I hadn't come out to my family or most of my friends for that matter. I was a timid person still coming to terms with the feelings I was having. Seacoast Outright not only gave me the courage to come out to my family but also gave me the confidence to become the person I am today. I am no longer afraid to be out at work or on campus or anywhere else I might be. Outright showed me that no matter what the situation has been, it's okay to be me.
I love Seacoast Outright because I've made so many wonderful friends here who always support me. Going to [Seacoast] Outright is fantastic because I have a lot going on, and it always helps to see everyone and talk to them to reduce and release my stress. My biggest low in a week is definitely when I can't go to Outright for any reason?it has already helped me through so much and I hope that I can continue going for a long time.
At school I learned how to conform to others. As Outright I learned how to express myself. I found friends which soon became like family and a place where everything - the good, the bad, the ugly, the incredible, everything was open for conversation in a supportive and friendly environment. My self-confidence grew from having a place to be myself with a group of people who I felt understood me. My life would definitely not be the same without [Seacoast] Outright.
Seacoast Outright has been a safe space where I have found support and acceptance. However you identify, Seacoast Outright offers unconditional approval, something that can be so vital for queer teens facing negative prejudices and questioning themselves. As a peer facilitator, I have been able to run support groups and workshops for new youth. It means so much to me that [Seacoast] Outright is providing all of these things for teenagers growing up in an unforgiving society full of pressures and pessimism. I wish there were more organizations like Seacoast Outright.
Seacoast Outright is a beautiful avenue for GLBTQQ kids, or anyone who feels like an outsider, to come to a safe place and express their amazing souls. I have seen so much change in the youth throughout the years and I can speak for myself when I say that the mentors, young people and social fundraisers, have helped to shape who I am today. When I first came to the support group six years ago, I was very shy, reserved and quite literally not comfortable in my own skin. Finding Seacoast Outright allowed me to be who I felt and, "You are who you say you are" was a motto that struck me. I took it to heart strongly, using it to remind myself that I truly can be who I want to be and love myself through the experience.
Seacoast Outright helped me find the real Matthew Scott. I came to realize that I don't have to be that stereotypical male. I can be sensitive, kind and respectful of women. Seacoast Outright helped me grow and develop with healthy skills that I will take with me when I'm an adult. I practice these skills everyday when I am in my community outside of Outright. Thanks to [Seacoast] Outright, I will be prepared when I no longer have this support every week. Seacoast Outright is the reason I want to give back when I'm older to those who need to learn.
I have been coming to Seacoast Outright since I was fifteen years old. When I first came, I was a young kid who was just coming out. I wasn't very sure of my actions or myself. Seacoast Outright gave me a place to be who I was with a group of people who supported me, without the pressure of everyday life bearing down on me. I was able to gain the confidence to come out completely, gain a new group of friends, and believe in myself enough to do well in high school and move on to college.
Now I am twenty years old. Looking back on what Seacoast Outright has done for me, I am appreciative and aware that with privilege comes responsibility. I want to be able to help other young adults find their voice and plan to do so by using music and dance to empower and encourage activism in youth. Without Seacoast Outright, I wouldn't have had the courage to become who I am, or to see where I wanted to go.
Seacoast Outright was very helpful to me because at that time I went to a school where being gay/lesbian was considered a sin. I felt completely alone for years because I did not want to let people know and open myself up for pain and suffering. Seacoast Outright was a place where I could be myself and not worry about people judging me for who I chose to love. It was wonderful to have such a strong support system that was available for me whenever I needed it. My experiences at Seacoast Outright will stay with me throughout my life. In the future, I plan on doing advocacy work internationally to further spread the feelings of acceptance and love that I have received.
Seacoast Outright was and still is important to me in supporting my identity. Over the past almost six years of attending Seacoast Outright, my identity has changed a lot and I have always found comfort and support from the people who attend Outright activities. It gave me the strength to come out when I was ready, and the support I needed through all aspects of my life.
Seacoast Outright has several opportunities to educate the community. Through a speakers bureau and a peer facilitators program I have been able to be introduced to my future profession as an educator around queer issues. My speaking abilities as well as teach abilities were something that I acquired through Seacoast Outright.
