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Problems

Sexuality

Many young people are confused about their sexuality and this can cause a lot of anxiety and heartache. Some people know from an early age that they are gay or lesbian and have stronger feelings for their same sex rather than the opposite sex. Some people take longer to work out their feelings and if you are confused about your sexuality you need to give yourself time for your feelings to develop - there is no rush. You don't need to label yourself or be pushed into any one direction - you need to do what feels right for you and in time you will know what feels right.

When growing up it is common to have crushes and feelings on members of the same sex - often these are passing phases and it does not mean you are gay. If over time you have stronger feelings for the same sex, you tend to focus all your attention on the same sex and do not feel attracted at all by members of the opposite sex this could be an indication that you may be gay.

Some people have feelings for both sexes and are bisexual. It is ok to be gay, lesbian, bisexual - whatever feels right for you to be. Fortunately prejudice against gay people is getting less although it still does exist in many areas and for this reason some people who are gay are frightened to come out. As a result they may spend years of their life not being able to be themselves and express themselves in the way they would like to be and this can cause enormous distress and pain.

If you are subjected to any kind of prejudice, bullying, harassment, because of your sexuality it is important to get help and support for yourself and to recognise that people who are homophobic lack understanding so don't allow other people's lack of understanding to make you feel bad about yourself. It doesn't matter whether a person is straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, - it doesn't matter what sexuality/sexual orientation you have - what counts is the kind of person you are, the qualities you have, and nobody has a right to put you down because of your sexuality/sexual orientation.

There is no right time for coming out - it has to be right for you and never allow others to push you into doing something you don't want to do. It may help to talk through your feelings with a helpline, counsellor, friend, and to look through some of the information on the internet.

Many young people are particularly worried as to whether their parents will still love and accept them. Some parents are fine with this and others do take time to accept and adjust - if you don't get the reaction you would like give your parents, family, friends, time - just as you may have been confused about your feelings - others may be confused about their feelings. There are helplines and support groups for parents and families, friends so if anyone you tell is having a hard time accepting what you have told them it may help to give them information on some of the agencies who can give support and information to them.

If people don't react in the way you would like it doesn't mean they love you any the less but some people have grown up with very fixed ideas, they also may have fixed religious beliefs which can get in the way of acceptance and understanding so give people time and hopefully they will realise that you are still the same person you were before you came out and that they love you just the same and it doesn't make any difference at all to how they feel about you or treat you.

There is also a great deal of information on the internet which can be a great source of support and help with feelings of isolation and also ways of meeting other people who are in the same situation as yourself. Please remember if you go into chatrooms, arrange to meet anyone - keep yourself safe and don't divulge any personal information. If you meet up with anyone always tell someone where you are going and meet in a public place. There are people on the internet who pose as young people who are in fact paedophiles so you always need to be careful. There is also information on keeping yourself safe sexually, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS etc.

We have also included agencies which provide help, information, advice and support to transsexuals, transvestites and anyone confused about gender issues.

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Agencies which provide information and support

  • SupportLine Telephone Helpline: 01708 765200 email info@supportline.org.uk - Provides emotional support and details of agencies, counsellors, helplines, support groups across the UK.

  • Acceptance Helpline and Support Group for Parents of Lesbians and Gay Men: 01795 661463 (Tue-Fri 7pm-9pm), email jillandgordon@acceptance.fsnet.co.uk, www.ukselfhelp.info/acceptance - To try and eliminate the feelings of isolation experienced by parents of homosexuals and to provide a helpline for parents who are unable to accept their son's or daughter's homosexuality. Also to provide information and support for partners and spouses of gay people. Holding meetings where parents can meet and discuss.

  • Beaumont Society: 01582 412220, email enquiries@beaumontsociety.org.uk, www.beaumontsociety.org.uk - National 24hr helpline and other support for transvestites, transsexuals, their partners and families. Self help organisation offering advice on cross dressing and gender dysphoria. Social functions, magazine for members.

  • Beaumont Trust: 07000 287878, www.beaumont-trust.org.uk - Helpline for transsexuals, transvestites and their partners. Referral to specialist agencies, counsellors and self help groups.

  • Cara-Friend (Area served N.Ireland): 028 9032 2023 gay men, 028 9023 8668 lesbians - Helpline for anyone who is lesbian, gay or bisexual or has concerns about sexual orientation. Counselling, befriending, information, including details of social events and venues in N. Ireland. Face to face befriending and social support groups.

  • EACH - Educational Action Challenging Homophobia: 0808 100 0143, www.eachaction.org.uk - Helpline offering support for young people affected by homophobia. Help and support for people concerned about a school pupil or college student affected by homophobia. Supports lesbian and gay young people in challenging homophobic bullying and helps teachers offer support to lesbian and gay pupils.

  • FFLAG 0845 652 0311, www.fflag.org.uk - National voluntary organisation which supports lesbians and gay men and their families. Helplines throughout UK and parents groups. Run by parents of gays and lesbians

  • FTM Network: 0161 432 1915, www.ftm.org.uk - Helpline offering support and advice to all female to male transgender and transsexual people.

  • Gender Trust: 0845 231 0505, www.gendertrust.org.uk - Helpline and other services for people who are transsexual, gender dysphoric or transgenderist Befriending with a confidential contact system for members. Information on specialist help including counselling, psychotherapy, psychiatrists.

  • Lesbian and Gay Foundation Helpline: 0845 330 3030, www.lgf.org.uk - Helpline for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals.

  • LGBT Youth Scotland: (Area served Scotland), email: info@lgbtyouth.org.uk, Text 07781 481788, www.lgbtyouth.org.uk - Helpline and other information, advice and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people under 26. Advice on range of issues including housing. Scotland wide network of events for young people and group leaders.

  • Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement: 020 7739 1249, email lgcm@lgcm.org.uk, www.lgcm.org.uk - Advice, information, counselling and a helpline for the Christian lesbian and gay community.

  • London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard: 020 7837 7324, www.llgs.org.uk or www.queery.org.uk - 24 hour telephone service to act as a source of information, support and referral to lesbians and gay men or anyone who needs to consider lesbian or gay issues.

  • Mermaids: 07020 935066, www.mermaidsuk.org.uk - Telephone information and listening service for children and teenagers with gender identity issues and their families.

  • One Parent Families (Scotland): 0131 556 3899, www.opfs.org.uk - Helpline information and advice for lone parents. Includes parenting issues for gay lesbian, bisexual, transgender parents and for children of gay, lesbian, bi, transgender parents.

  • PACE (Project for Advocacy Counselling and Education): (London based) 020 7700 1323, www.pacehealth.org.uk - Provides services and activities for and about lesbians and gay men including those affected by HIV/AIDS. Counselling, mental health advocacy, group work, employment, youth work and HIV prevention activities.

  • Pink Parents: 01380 727935, www.pinkparents.org.uk - Range of support services and social activities for all LGBT families.

  • The Pink Practice: 020 7060 4000, www.pinkpractice.co.uk - Lesbian and gay counselling and psychotherapy service based in Central London.

  • Quest Linkline - The Helpline for Lesbian and Gay Catholics: 0808 808 0234, www.questgaycatholic.org.uk - Helpline for lesbian, gay and bisexual Catholics, their parents, partners and those who minister to them. Listening, support, information, befriending, issues dealt with include coming out, relationships, Christian faith and sexuality. Referrals to local groups and sympathetic clergy.

  • Stonewall Housing: 020 7359 5767 - Provides a housing advice, advocacy information and referral service to lesbians and gay men who are homeless or who are having difficulties with their housing. Cover a wide range of issues such as harassment, security of tenure and disrepair.

  • TransLiving International: 01268 583761, www.transliving.co.uk - Helpline advice, information, counselling and self help support groups for transvestites, transsexuals and their wives, partners and families. Monthly social functions and quarterly international magazine to members.

  • UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group 020 7922 7811, email info@uklgig.org.uk, www.uklgig.org.uk - Helpline and other advice and information on all immigration and nationality issues for gay men and lesbians.

Websites

  • www.depend.org.uk – Advice, information and support to all family members, spouses, partners and friends of transsexual people in the UK.

  • www.eastendeye.org.uk/lgbt - Resources to support young people who think they may be gay and resources for teachers and parents.

  • www.gayhusbands.com – American site of Bonnie Kaye whose husband came out as being gay and Bonnie provides support to women internationally who find themselves in a similar situation.

  • www.likeitis.org.uk - Information on sex education, teenage life, sexuality etc.

  • www.gaydadsscotland.org.uk - Social and support group for gay fathers living in Scotland.

  • www.gires.org.uk - Gender identity research and education society.

  • www.parentsenquiryscotland.org - support for parents and families of lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender children.

  • www.colage.org - Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere - offer friendship, understanding, online communities, pen pal contacts, community support groups across the world. (American site).

  • www.ssnetwk.org/internet.shtml - Online/mailing support for partners of bi, gay, lesbian, transgender. For straight partners who want to share their concerns after their partners have come out. Also online support for children of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender parents.

Useful books

Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It is by Abigail Garner
Click here to read more or buy this book

How It Feels To Have A Gay or Lesbian Parent by Judith E Snow (a book for children of all ages)
Click here to read more or buy this book

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