My husband has made so many more friends than ever before in his life. He has joined a couple mens purity groups from local churches and these men have been so accepting for the most part. They may have not broken the law as sex offenders, but they understand the struggle with sexual issues. It might be a place for you to start to find people that will understand and support you.

Don't act weird like a sex offender and don't think of yourself as a sex offender.

People believe what they see. They store an image deep within the recess of their brain every time they see your appearance and in how you act. They create opinions based on these images.

Act normal. Smile. Walk with your head up. Talk to people.

Don't walk around with your head down as if you have something to hide.

Don't walk around with a scowl on your face because of your status. Don't appear threatening or menacing. Be kind. Be helpful to your fellow students. Be "one of them."

Shed the faded blue jeans with holes in them for a decent pain of clean jeans or Dockers instead. Don't wear a pull over shirt about three sizes too small so that your belly is showing. Wear a nice button down shirt or a pull over shirt. Wear clean, pressed clothes. No, you do not have to wear a suit or tie, but you need to be pleasant in appearance with clean clothes.

Cover up any tattoos. Keep the facial hair shaved and hair washed and combed.

Have the same respectable appearance you would want of the guy your daughter brings home on that first date.

Be known as a "nice" guy.

When you do all these things and people see you like this, you will become known less and less as the neighborhood "sex offender" and more and more as a young man who just made a stupid mistake.

It works every time because you are playing on people's human nature rather than their biases. It is human nature to like someone who is a good guy, is helpful, and seems to be normal. Human nature will always stay the same regardless of the time period or the country we live in as we are all human beings; biases are difficult to change.

Good luck, my friend, and get out there and conquer the world.

God Bless you,

rewdiazepam

I meant to say, "Don't act weird like SOME sex offenders;" not all sex offenders act weird and I don't want to offend anyone.

I was just like yourself at one time as I was released after a long period in prison, so I know the challenges you face.

rewdiazepam

Mine had his awkward moments, but I'm quick to point them out. Insecurity, and fear of rejection are quick to cause anxiety. Let your character and integrity stand out... Don't assume what others opinions of you are going to be... And do NOT let negative opinions define every possible future relationship.

Church support groups are a great resource. He's also friends with a few of his prison buddies.

Mine has a lot of awkward moments in public. He does act and feels like he's always doing something wrong, or is being watched. He has been told to try to not stand out, but I feel like the things he does not to stand out make him actually stand out. Like pulling his had down low over his face, sulking in corners, etc. It's tough. I think that's why he feels better in groups of just men.... they won't be suspicious of him.

Listen to Rew, Just be yourself, but first you have to forgive yourself, and love yourself, once you do that, friends come easy and are accepting. Those who want nothing to do with you are the losers, they are the people more lonely then you. Hold your head high, remember all the great things about yourself, and continue doing those things, and one more thing.... You have alot of friends here on this site, none of us will disappoint you, all of us are here to help you in any way possible.

My husband isn't out yet but even in prison he's made some "friends" (come to think of it I think he's got more friends inside than he's ever had before). One guy in particular has become a friend to my husband and has made comments about sex offenders. When he found out about my husband, he told my husband that he's a good guy and he can see beyond his conviction.
Just be yourself, as hard as that may be. I still find it difficult to be "normal" around people who know and I'm just the wife of a sex offender, so I can't imagine how you feel. But if you listen to rew and take his advice you'll be fine. If people find out about you and don't want to be your friend after they already know you, they aren't worth knowing.

I agree with all ya'll here. It's hard to have friends like you if you at least don't like yourself. You have to forgive yourself for your past and put it behind you. You cannot ever let it define you and who you are. The best advice I got actually came from a police officer of all places. He told me as he was arresting me that this was just a small piece of my life and to never let this define who I am and who I am going to become. We are so much more than a label and if we don't believe that then neither will the people you meet. Once you have forgiven yourself though I didn't have that awkward feeling in public anymore.

I don't tell anyone about my past who don't already know, I have a rather large group of family, extended family, and friends who have stood by me so a lot of people know but it's not ever a big deal.

I would just do things you enjoy. For me, especially on probation that was going to bars and playing darts, and pool. I could socialize with adults without the fear of breaking my probation and it made it much more natural for me. I also had friends from church and I would do things with them if it didn't involve children or leaving the state (didnt want to break probation not that I think I'm a danger).

Just have to find ways where you can naturally be yourself doing what you like to do and that should hopefully and orgabically attract likeminded people.

*i was lucky that i didn't have an alcohol issue so I was allowed to be in bars. Not that I was going out to get drunk or even going out often, maybe once or twice a week. But I don't understand why PO's almost don't encourage going to a bar, it's a great place to socialize with people over the age of 21 without any children present. As long as the person doesn't have an alcohol problem.