In a dark place: Depressed, closeted, unemployed. Advice?

I could pat you on the back and give you comfort, however, I've seen many older gays (those who I used to praise) become people who you'd never want to become. I'm not telling you a support group would be bad, I'm just telling you that you have to take pride in who you are.

I'm 22, and fought that battle in my teen years with a Lutheran father and a mother who turned the other cheek and ignored the "gay thing" (thank god.) Work is hard to find, I'll admit... But try looking in places outside of your field. Yes, being a part time waiter (just an example) may seem crappy, but use the other time to find a better job... A little step in the right direction came make all the difference.

Fine new friends, build yourself the communications you need. It may take work, but if you can find buddies reach out to them, and they will help you...

Here's the answer someone gave to a question either in the psirituality or philosophy section here but I think you'll find it useful too.

• Is your life, your consciousness, your ability to experience pain and pleasure, your ability to grow, learn, and become not good enough for you? Do you have no capacity for selfless love? Does the world need to fit your perception of paradise, or should you as a human being adapt to the world from which you were born?

You're living in time, which means that your living is limited to a joyous beginning and a mournful end. If time weren't perceived would any of us ponder the existence of God? Time is what corrupts you, but really, it's the most beautiful thing you could ever imagine. Time for a human being means conflict, strife, life, death, and the struggle for peace.

Time means that everything began, and all will end, and that means that purpose can only be discovered in how you live your life, instead of hopelessly grasping onto eternity, because you will never possess eternity. You only have now.

Tomás de Torquemada posted that. The overall meaning is to be grateful of what you have and enjoy life while you can. Hope it's helpful.

well instead of given your dilemma to millions of people with many different answers try...

hollys_helpline@yahoo.com

it may seem a little bit funny where she uses her helpline on yahoo but when I found out, she is actually a really good person to talk to. She would be able to get back to you within a week. If she doesn't work for you then ignore everything I said.

how we feel is how we respond with our emotions, and how we see the world. a simple fix would be for you to change you mind about everything that makes you feel emotional. i am gay also, but i am 41yrs old now, i decided to be who i am without the care of what my family or anyone thought, i lost a job that i really loved to a physical disability, so i went back to school and changed careers, you need to know what makes you feel like yourself and find a friendly network to support you. i know you will be fine and all things you know of now will come to pass

LARGE MEN LIKE TO DANCE IN BALLERINA TUTUS THEN THEY GERT CLOBBERED IN A DARK ALLEY. ESPECIALLY IN DELEWARE. AND CLOUDS PISS INSTEAD OF RAIN