Feel Better...Dealing with...Find Help NowHelp a friendCheck YourselfGet Invovled
  • GET SLEEP
  • EAT RIGHT
  • MANAGE STRESS
  • KNOW YOUR LIMITS
  • SPEAK UP
  • DEPRESSION
  • ANXIETY DISORDERS
  • EATING DISORDERS
  • BIPOLAR DISORDER
  • CUTTING
  • ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
  • SUICIDE


SEXUAL ORIENTATION


Struggling with your sexuality can be a huge emotional challenge. It's even more difficult if friends, family members or your community don't understand or accept you. Chances are that you or someone you know has gone through this difficult process. While sexuality and gender orientation are not in and of themselves risk factors for suicide, it is true that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth face many social factors, like discrimination, that put them at higher risk for harmful behaviors like suicide.

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual orientation, coming out or just dealing with pressures related to being LGBTQ, there are things we can all do to support ourselves and each other.



Figuring It Out


Trying to know for sure if you're attracted to someone of the same sex can be confusing. It might take a while for you to figure it out, and there's no need to rush. Some LGBT people say they "felt different" since when they were young, but it took a while to think of themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Many other people don't discover their attractions until later in adolescence and some not even into adulthood.

If you're feeling confused, you're not alone. Sexual orientation and gender identity, like many things in life, develop over time. Don't worry if you aren't sure. Experimentation and exploration are often a part of figuring things out. A label is something you need to feel comfortable with, and you don't have to label yourself today or ever. The choice is yours. And, if questions over your sexuality are making you felt depressed, anxious, or insecure, or are interfering with your life, don't be afraid to ask for help from a friend, counselor or someone else you trust. You can also speak to someone directly by calling The Trevor Project Helpline at 1-866-488-7386.



Coming Out and Living Out


"Coming out" often means telling others you're attracted to people of the same sex; that you identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual; or that you identify as transgender.

For everyone, gay or straight, accepting and understanding sexuality is a learning experience. You might feel comfortable going through this learing process by yourself, or you might want to draw on the experiences of other people. You might want to meet other LGBT people for friendship or support. Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) have local chapters where you can get help from people who have gone through the same things that you're experiencing now.

You may want to start by telling someone you really trust that you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. This might be a close friend or family member who you think will be understanding and supportive. Remember that deciding whom to come out to and when to come out is completely up to you. The most important thing is that you are honest with yourself. Click here for ten things to consider when coming out.

While cultural attitudes about sexuality are slowly changing for the better, there are still people in our society who discriminate and are even violent toward people who are perceived as different. Sometimes it's easier to ignore people who hassle you, but harassment and abuse should never be tolerated. You are not responsible for other people's attitudes and you have the right to feel and be safe. If you're being harassed you should tell a friend, report it to an authority figure, or call one of these numbers:

The Trevor Project Helpline - 1-866-488-7386
The National GLBT Hotline - 1-888-THE-GLNH (843-4564)
The National GLBT Youth Talkline - 1-800-246-7743



Helping Out


If you have a friend who may be struggling with their sexuality, make sure they know you are there if they need to talk about anything. But remember that you have to let a friend make decisions about their sexual orientation on their own terms and when they are ready.

If a friend or family member confides in you about their sexuality, be supportive and allow them to talk through their feelings and fears. Coming out can be a difficult process and it helps to have a strong support network.

It's all of our responsibilities to stand up against discrimination and harassment. If you have a friend who is being harassed or you see someone being treated unfairly, reach out to that individual or report it to an authority figure. It's important not to assume these issues will resolve themselves. Being bullied, mistreated or discriminated against can make it more likely someone will become distressed and engage in harmful behaviors like suicide.

If you see discrimination in your community and want to put an end to it, find ways to take action with the Human Rights Campaign and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).

Thanks to The Trevor Project and Reach Out USA for help with the resources and content on this page.


Find Help On Campus

Click here to find local resources in your community or on your college campus

Half Of Us
Megan’s eating disorder puts her health at risk until she reaches out for help and finds better ways to cope.