“I don't let my physical limitations determine my every move. Very few people in the ‘disabled' community do.”
—Lucy, 16, MI
I think I might be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender and am really stressed out. Can you help me?
It’s normal for people to feel stressed out when they realize or think they might be lesbian, gay, or bisexual and/or transgender. If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender, you should be able to celebrate, not feel stressed out about it! But we know that that’s not always the case.
So what you need to know is that you are not alone. There are lots of lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender teens out there and lots of teens who are questioning their sexual orientation. So, there are lots of places you can go to for support.
Here are some great Web sites and hotlines to try:
• Youth Resource—for gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning youth.
• Bisexual Resource Center—for the bisexual community.
• The National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Youth www.outproud.org for lesbian, gay, and bisexual teens; www.transproud.org for transgender teens.
• The Trevor Project for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Teens is a great hotline and Web site. This hotline specializes in helping GLBTQ teens who are contemplating suicide. The telephone number is 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386). This hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• The Gay and Lesbian National Hotline is both a Web site and a toll-free, nationwide hotline: 1-888-THE-GLNH (843-4564). This resource can be accessed online at www.glnh.org. Important: This hotline is NOT open 24 hours. It offers peer counseling Monday through Friday, between 4:00 p.m. and midnight, and Saturdays, from noon to 5:00 p.m. E.T.
If you need a different type of hotline, check out our list here.
So what you need to know is that you are not alone. There are lots of lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender teens out there and lots of teens who are questioning their sexual orientation. So, there are lots of places you can go to for support.
Here are some great Web sites and hotlines to try:
• Youth Resource—for gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning youth.
• Bisexual Resource Center—for the bisexual community.
• The National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Youth www.outproud.org for lesbian, gay, and bisexual teens; www.transproud.org for transgender teens.
• The Trevor Project for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Teens is a great hotline and Web site. This hotline specializes in helping GLBTQ teens who are contemplating suicide. The telephone number is 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386). This hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• The Gay and Lesbian National Hotline is both a Web site and a toll-free, nationwide hotline: 1-888-THE-GLNH (843-4564). This resource can be accessed online at www.glnh.org. Important: This hotline is NOT open 24 hours. It offers peer counseling Monday through Friday, between 4:00 p.m. and midnight, and Saturdays, from noon to 5:00 p.m. E.T.
If you need a different type of hotline, check out our list here.
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Your Comments
i think im straight, but....
Posted by: no-room-left on Jul 23rd, 2008 10:09pm
i was best friends with this girl before and i had a huge
crush on her that i told no one about. im not sure if she
felt the same way and now i have a boyfriend(that im not too
crazy about) and i still think about her. i dont know if i
should tell him or if im even bi or les. shes the only
person ive ever felt like that with and now im wondering if
that was true love and if im really a lesbian because guys
dont interest me as much as she did.
RE: Idk What's Going On =|
Posted by: DanR on May 27th, 2008 10:14am
Unfortunately, I can't tell you if you are lesbian or
bisexual, only you can tell. Some people know from an early
age, and others figure it out later in life. For now, I
suggest you take your time and enjoy just being with this
girl and enjoy the good feelings it brings you. Don't push
yourself to commit to an identity or label. Feel what you
feel, and know that whoever you are attracted to, you are
completely normal. You'll know when it's time to attach a
name to your feelings.
Idk What's Going On =|
Posted by: curlyq09 on May 24th, 2008 1:37pm
I've been attracted to this girl since i met her, shes
someone in m y eyes that just stood out. This has been the
first I have ever felt like this about a girl...about
anyone. When I hang out with her she makes me feel better
and we are always having fun. I have never been with a girl
but what i feel for her is like...Wow...it's completely from
anything I have ever felt.
Yesterday night we were watching
movies and we started holding hands. It didnt bug me i was
comfortable. Ami lesbian? or wat?
RE: We All Have Our Problems
Posted by: DanR on May 5th, 2008 12:41pm
Relationships can be such a difficult thing because they
involved the thoughts and feelings of 2 people, which may
not always be the same. The most important thing for you to
do is take care of yourself. Talk to your friends about your
feelings, and make sure you are going on with your everyday
life. It may seem difficult at times, but it is the
healthiest thing you can do for yourself. Your boyfriend
will figure what is best for him, so you should also do what
is best for you. Hang in there!
We All Have Our Problems
Posted by: TheSexCrew on May 4th, 2008 4:05pm
My boyfrined dumped me and said that he's sexually confused.
But I still really love him but no one knows it.What am I
supposed to do?
RE: im not sure
Posted by: DanR on Apr 18th, 2008 12:31pm
You are the only person who can decide who you want to date.
Adolescence is a time for growing and changing and this
includes understanding your sexual orientation. There is
nothing nasty about liking boys and girls. Take your time
to get to know yourself and don't feel rushed to put a label
on yourself such as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Check out
some of the resources above and take your time to figure it
out. There is no deadline.
im not sure
Posted by: selena! on Apr 16th, 2008 12:22am
i have a boyfriend. but i like girls to. i dont know wht one
to date or who to pick. does this mean im nasty? wht do i
do? who do i pick?
RE: Dont know if i should/how to come out..
Posted by: DanR on Mar 19th, 2008 11:35am
It's OK not to know. Some people know from a young age.
Others think they know and then discover differently as they
get older. Still others are confused and explore different
relationships to figure it out. Don't rush into putting a
label on yourself. Take time to explore your thoughts and
feelings without trying to fit into any one category.
You'll know when it's time to attach a name to your
feelings.
Dont know if i should/how to come out..
Posted by: VarsitySoccerCutie07 on Mar 19th, 2008 1:35am
Im in my junior year of highschool now and i couldnt be more
happy and in love with my bestfriend of 4 years, whos also
been my girlfriend of 8 months. we've kept it a secret this
whole time from all our friend, our soccer team, and parents
in fear of mistreatment and stuff. We accidently fell in
love over the summer and shes the only girl ill ever be
involved with, and shes the only girl iv/will ever be
attracted to. yet i still am attracted to guys. What does
this make me? straight? bi? idk!!!
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RE: i think im straight, but....
Posted by: DanR on Jul 24th, 2008 1:39pm
I don't know what your orientation is, but I do know there
is no rush to put a label on yourself or on your feelings.
Just because you are not happy with one guy does not mean
you won't be happy with another. On the other end of that
spectrum, just because because you have only had a crush on
one girl doesn't mean you won't have crushes on others in
the future. Take your time to explore your feelings and see
what feels best to you. There is no right or wrong here.
Only what makes you happy.