I have only been logging into the Eunuch Archive since last summer, and actually frequent this website more for the political and cellar posts, than for the "hard" posts about eunuchism. However, I do read through a lot of the posts in sections other than the political and cellar boards, and I've noticed that a whole lot of different people seem to have gone through the message boards, just in these nine months or so. And, of course, the format of the message boards is largely informational, rather than being a place for a lot of abstract discussion.

So, it seems to me that the Archive might be considered something of a transitional website, which people who want information or who have discovered that their urges are not unique, access to use as a resource while they are thinking about beginning a chemical or surgical change in their sexuality. It would appear that most people access the website for a time, find what they want or become disillusioned, and then go on to something else.

The thing I wonder is, where do they go? Are there common interests for those who have gone through surgical orchiectomy or who have been taking testosterone-reducing drugs for a period of time, interests which aren't served by the Archive, and which are served by some other website? Or is the situation one in which eunuchism, once the issue has been settled, becomes a relatively minor part of a person's life, and he no longer finds the Eunuch Archive interesting?

Of course, the parts of the archive that I myself find interesting, the cellar and political sections, seem to get a lot of posts from people who don't appear to have orchiectomy or related issues as their primary concerns, or at least they aren't obsessive about it. And the periodic get togethers which have been arranged during the past year, seem to be mostly for those who have already had surgery, or who are long-term chemical castrates. So perhaps the Eunuch Archive is, to some extent, evolving into something besides a way station. Of course, it already is more than that for Kristoff, Plix, IE, and others who volunteer their time to keep it operating.

Beau,

Once again you’ve captured something important about the nature of the Eunuch Archive. Most folk seem to arrive here through an Internet search thinking that they are alone, or nearly so, in having a castration fantasy or in seeking castration in reality. They discover that the community is far larger than they expected for both the fantasy and reality aspects. (My current guesstimate is that there are at least 10,000 voluntary eunuchs in North America, in addition to the half million or more medical eunuchs).

Most who discover the Eunuch Archive never register as members; they only lurk and read those parts of the Message Boards that are visible to them (which is NOT all of them). If you look at the box titled “Currently Active Users” at the bottom of the main page of the message boards, you will see that normally less than 10% of those who are reading here are members. We estimate that over a quarter of a million unique individuals visit the Archive each month, though there are only about 3,500 registered members.

Of those who do register, only a small number join in the conversations and become active. Less than 10% of all registered members have made 10 posts or more and less than one-third have ever posted anything. A-1, the most active member has made nearly 4,000 posts, but our 50th most active poster, Surf Toad, has made only 188.

Most arrive at the Eunuch Archive for reasons of fantasy. A new story is opened to be read by someone over four times per minute, twenty-four hours per day. The Story Boards is, by far, the most active part of the Archive. Only a few of those who read the fiction here come over to the Message Boards either to discuss their fantasies or to explore the reality of castration.

A few arrive here seeking answers to the very real medical conditions that they are experiencing – some after a hormone crash; some concerned about a diagnosis they have received. They receive both advice and support from others who have been through similar situations.

Those who join seeking information about the reality of castration and who ask questions of the regulars here tend to get very good, well-balanced advice. Their reasons for seeking castration are probed. They are told that a “test drive” of chemical castration is essential before contemplating an irreversible surgery. Side effects are discussed and explained. Over half go away deciding that the reality of castration is not what they want.

Of those who find what they are seeking and arrange for chemical or surgical castration, some stay around to provide advice for newcomers. Some stay around because the conversations are so interesting. Genuine friendships have been made here that are likely to last a lifetime. The gatherings that have been taking place across the country are joyous events involving interesting and intelligent people who seem to enjoy each other’s company. For those that I have attended, little of the conversation has been about castration – it’s just friends enjoying a chance to be together. Eating, drinking, and lots of laughter.

Some of our current members have been here for a long while. Others gradually drift away after spending hours answering the same recurring questions from newcomers. Talula has been here almost from the beginning (and worked closely with Bboy, our founder), but is gradually moving on to other pursuits – involving counseling, but not castration-related. A-1 also goes back nearly to the beginning and, though neither a eunuch nor contemplating his own castration, provides frequent and thoughtful advice. Andrew, one of the earliest active members, was even more prolific in posting than A-1, but he has drifted away to provide regular face-to-face counseling and advice in a different venue (not castration related, though Andrew includes the fact that he is a eunuch on his business card).

Philip’s long diary is an invaluable asset to any who are seeking advice. Christina provides frequent Internet hugs to those who are in need. I could go down a long list of those who have devoted many hours to helping others on this site: Kristoff, Paolo, Sag111, Riverwind, Blaise, etc. Your probing questions, and the responses they have provoked, are part of what is valuable here.

Thank you for being an active member.