I'm thankful and forever grateful for the ability to express myself in all forms, even as a minor.
I spent quite a long time searching for somewhere I could fully, freely, completely express myself and my characters as I imagined and willed them to be. I had started losing hope that I could do so before turning 18 due to all the sites having '18+ only sections' and such hefty restrictions on minors, but then I found this beautiful place called Iwaku after another desperate google search. A great community, rules with minimal creative restrictions, and a well balanced staff... Everything appealed to me, and honestly the two separate mature sections and minimal rules seems like such an unusual thing to do in the big picture of roleplaying websites, but it's made such a big difference for me and has been what kept me here for so long and has made me love this place the way I do.
It's let me explore so much more of myself and my creativity, and allowed me to develop my characters in newer and more complete ways. Sure, sometimes it can be a bit awkward or confusing, but that is so much better than being so restricted like every other roleplaying website out there. It's great, different, and one of the things I am most thankful for both on and off the site for how it's letting me feel like I'm growing beyond just my roleplaying skills.
So thank you Iwaku, for giving members of all ages equal freedom and ability to express themselves in all aspects, gory and naughty included among many others. It allows such a unique environment for everyone to explore, and truly it sets you apart from every other role-play site in a big and beautiful way.