Anonymous, 15 years old

My therapist had recommended a place called Time Out Youth in Charlotte, which is a center for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.  My palms were damp with perspiration as I headed to my first time for a meeting.  When I walked through the door I was simultaneously greeted by twenty or so teens, and within minutes I forgot that I hadn’t known these people for even a day.  I spent the whole two hours laughing and sharing my ideas with others who had gone through similar life experiences.  It was then, in the middle of the laughter, that I had finally accepted myself.