I think I might be Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual

What if I don't know for sure?

It can be difficult to know if you are attracted to someone of the same sex, it differs for all people. It could take awhile, and there is no need to rush.

Some gay, lesbian or bisexual people say they "felt different" from the time they were young. They had crushes on friends but it took a while to think of themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual. As they grew older they realised that those words fitted in with the feelings they have.

Many other people don't discover their attractions until later into adolescence and some into adulthood. If you are feeling confused you are not alone. It is not unusual to feel attracted to someone you are close to or admire, like a close friend, or a great teacher. None of this makes you gay, lesbian or bisexual.

You do not need to be sexually active with other people to recognise your sexuality. Your behaviour is guided by your feelings and your emotional and physical attractions. Trust in those feelings and attractions, they will help tell you who you are. One or two experiences with someone of the same sex may not mean you are gay, lesbian or bisexual either - just as one or two experiences with someone of the opposite sex may not mean you are heterosexual.

Sexuality like other things in life develops over time. Don't worry if you aren't sure. Being young is a time of figuring out what works for you. Experimentation and exploration are often part of that. Over time you'll find that you are drawn mostly to men or women - or both - and you'll know then.

Remember a label is something you need to feel comfortable with, you don't have to label yourself today or ever, the choice is yours.

Text adapted from "You're Not Alone", a booklet written by the Gay and Lesbian counselling service (WA) and the WA AIDS council under the "Here for Life" sexuality project.

To obtain copies of this booklet please phone the Youth Sexuality Project 08 9328 9044 or write to PO Box 1510 West Perth 6872.

Why do I feel attracted to people of my own sex?

Young people often ask, "why am I attracted to people of the same sex?" People very rarely ask, "why am I attracted to people of the opposite sex?" One of the great things about human beings is that they are different. Part of that difference is a variation who people are attracted to.

Society often looks for a cause to something that is different so that it can be "fixed". Being attracted to someone of the same sex is not something to be "fixed", just as being attracted to someone of the opposite sex is not something to be "fixed". Being gay, lesbian or bisexual is natural and healthy and the vast majority of psychologists and psychiatrists consider it unethical to try to change a person's sexual orientation.

We live in a world that often fears difference. They equate different with wrong. This prejudice is the same as racism and other forms of discrimination. Being attracted to people of the same sex is only part of who you are.

Text adapted from "You're Not Alone", a booklet written by the Gay and Lesbian counselling service (WA) and the WA AIDS council under the "Here for Life" sexuality project.

To obtain copies of this booklet please phone the Youth Sexuality Project 08 9328 9044 or write to PO Box 1510 West Perth 6872

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