Chatterbox: Down to Earth

Open letter to the Chatterbox,

 

Hello all. My name is Theo W. You probably don’t know me, but I grew up on the Chatterbox. I started posting here when I was around twelve and stopped when I was fifteen or sixteen, popping back on the site every once and again. 

 

The chatterbox was an amazing place for me. I worked on many stories and RPs I still remember and treasure to this day, making some friends along the way. I found an encouraging environment to post my art and comics and talk about my interests. The support I received on my comics through the chatterbox and Cricket magazine really helped push me forward as a young cartoonist. Now, I’m going to study comics in college.

 

Back in the day, I used to post under two different names, Theo W and Lexi. I said it was because I didn’t want anyone knowing my gender, but in retrospect, it was because I was trying to figure out what my gender was myself. Around the age of sixteen I realized I was definitely LGBT. 

 

I wasn’t really posting on here at that point, but I had a few friends from the chatterbox that I talked to on outside sites. Some were supportive and excellent as they always were. Some were not.

 

I was flipping through the threads here a bit, and I can see what a wonderful, vibrant, and supportive community you still have. I want to encourage you guys to continue to lift each other up. Encourage your friend’s writing and art and who knows, maybe they’ll do it professionally some day! 

 

I also want to say, to any CBers who think they might be LGBT or are still exploring their identity in any way, you are doing wonderful. You are perfectly normal and valid and I hope you can find people you feel safe to be around.

 

The Chatterbox was an important place for me to explore both with my writing and my personal identity. And I hope it still continues to be that sort of resource to the CBers of today.

 

Not sure if the Admins will post this thread or not, but I understand either way.

 

Keep on making a beautiful little corner of the internet, CBers.

 

Best,

 

Theo W

 

 

 

submitted by Theo W, age 18, Dark, dreary places
(August 19, 2019 - 11:43 am)

back to the Down to Earth

Hi Theo! I don't think I was actually around during your heyday on the CB, because I'm not sure I remember being on at the same time as you, but I remember seeing you posting on old threads, and maybe also have a vague memory of you posting while I was on? but ANYWAY, I sort of remember you! And that's really cool that you'll be studying comics in college. And this post made me sentimental because I'm also sort of on a neverending journey to figure out my gender, and it was so nice of you to reach out to us, and tell us we're all valid, and tell us your story, and tell us to lift each other up. And you're valid, too, and I hope all the stuff you said for you, and this was a really nice leaving-post-ish thing, and I think you got all the good parts of the CB exactly right. I also hope we can keep supporting each other and that the CB itself can be a safe place for discovering things about yourself.

Wow. I guess I had a lot to say in response. Anyway, best of luck in college and the rest of your life, Theo! 

submitted by Applejaguar, Wisteria
(August 20, 2019 - 3:00 pm)
submitted by Top
(August 22, 2019 - 11:47 am)