JustLeftTheCloset.com is kind of like the Facebook equivalent of the “It Gets Better” Project. The site bills itself as “a new social network for LGBT youth and their friends”—kids who are just coming out of the closet.Here’s what they say their aim is:
“We want to create an even playing field for all LGBT kids aged 13 and up, whether they live in the heart of the city or twenty miles from their nearest neighbor. They all need friends and they all want to have fun. There are thousands of others out there just like them, and justleftthecloset will connect them in an entirely new way. It will enable them to easily interact with each other from the safety and anonymity of their computers, at their own pace and with no outside pressure.”
It’s terribly earnest, and their font is a bit too close to Comic Sans for our liking, but all in all, it’s a great idea and well executed. Check out some screenshots below and sign up if you’re interested.
On your profile page, there’s a place for a picture, a little biography box, favorite songs and books, then at the bottom is the “coming out story” section.
There’s a panel navigation page.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
The Coming Out Stories are the real meat of the site. Here’s a particularly cute one:
In high school during a biology field trip, me and my best friend were stuck in this boring biology lecture for the whole day. It was awful. So we started playing hang man. I decided I should tell her that I was thinking I might be gay (but at the time, I thought I was bisexual). So I made a hangman for her that spelled out: I Think There is The Possibility That I Might Be Bisexual. It actually turned out to be a pretty quick hangman (she understood what was going on pretty quick), and afterwards she gave me an awkward but comforting side hug and drew me a smile.
Now they just have to keep the pedophiles away.
Jim Hlavac
You last line was what I was thinking — though I think that 99.9% of gay elders leave the teens alone — we just want to help them come out and be who they are and not be harassed. 99.9% of gay men are not into teens, but rather we avoid them like the plague.
Jonathan
Does anyone know how to contact the company founders? I’d like to be involved in this project. Thanks.
Oh, ok.
@Jim Hlavac: Pedophiles aren’t about sexuality, calling them gay or straight would be silly.
There are many pedophiles into little boys and little girls. They’re all over the internet looking for opportunities so the article is spot on.
The site is fine as long as they protect the teens from predators.
Shannon1981
Maybe they need to make it so that unless you are selected as a moderator or something, nobody over 21 is allowed on there. It is usually the reverse, but, in this case, there doesn’t need to be older folks on here unless they are mentors.
Side note- I am personally working on a non profit to help LGBT Youth. Seems these people’s passions lie in that arena as well. Would love to connect.
Danny
Unless the site is run by a 501c3 nonprofit with complete transparency of who its boardmembers are, having a site like that aimed at vulnerable youth is creepy. It could easily be rightwingers trying to convert kids to being self loathing. You don’t want it like the creepy Boy Scouts where the leadership hides itself from public scrutiny.
Jeremy
Hey guys!
I’m Jeremy and I work on JLTC (There’s actually just two of us on the JLTC team). First, thanks so much to Evan and Queerty for writing about us.
As for the concerns over people abusing the site: we’ve definitely put enormous thought and concern into the issue. The site is very secure. We’ll never give out email addresses or any contact info to anyone. Members are encouraged to use screen names if they’re not comfortable putting their own name online. Other than messages between members, we monitor every aspect of the site to make sure the environment is appropriate. If a member is acting in appropriately or is reported by another member, we will remove them from the community.
We definitely understand the responsibility that comes with a site like this. As a gay individual who didn’t have any resources during my own coming out period, I know what an impact a site like this could have.
As far as transparency, we want to be completely open about ourselves and the site. Send me an email at [email protected] with any thoughts or questions. We’re a new site literally operating out of a living room, and we’ve love to hear suggestions and feedback.
Thanks again,
Jeremy
[email protected]
PS: No crazy rightwingers trying to convert here, I can assure you!
Jeremy
@Jonathan:
Hey Jonathan! Shoot me an email [email protected]! Love to hear from you!
Tom
I tried signing up for this, but didn’t receive the confirmation email 🙁
Greybat
@Shannon1981: I like that idea, too! I’d join the site as a mentor, but hesitate to create a profile otherwise…if I’m upfront about my age, I’d be branded as a Troll, and if I create a Sock-Puppet Profile… well, even I think that’s just creepy!
Jeremy
@Tom:
Hey Tom! We’re still working the bugs out of the signup process. If you send me an email with your signup info I’ll make sure it gets set up!
[email protected]
Trelin
I think this is a fantastic idea! It gives kids the outreach and the resources to find similar people in their neighborhood. Instead of having to rely solely on themselves and their core group of friends in this “coming out” process, they can meet people that are doing that same. Kids lean on social media so much these days that instead of depending so much on facebook and twitter, this site will provide them with the relief of knowing (hopefully) everyone on it is similarly-minded.
Bravo!
Shannon1981
@Greybat: Yeah. I think anyone not a youth needs to be there in a moderation capacity only. Anything more is simply opening the door for weirdos.
My idea is gonna stem in the direction of being waaayyy more than just an online presence..shelters, scholarship programs, after school counseling,etc.
Jessica
For those looking for coming out stories, you might also like this site: whenicameout.com. It’s just a bunch of short coming out stories–funny, heartbreaking, inspiring.
theqyc
Looks like a cheap rip off of THEQYC.com
Which acts like a copycat of bebo, Facebook and MySpace. But running no ads and being privately funded. Since 2006
Craeyng
www THEQYC.com ?
Craeyng
@Craeyng: if you read up on who THEQYC.com financial backers are. You’d see why paedophilles leave that site and RUN!