“How do I know if I’m gay?”
Start by asking yourself some honest questions about your sexuality and sexual preferences:
- Do you prefer sex with a person who is the same gender as you?
- Are you physically attracted to members of the same sex?
- Do you feel an emotional bond with other members of your sex?
- Would you consider an intimate relationship with someone who is the same sex as you?
Being gay means being sexually attracted to a member of the same sex.
Unfortunately there’s no definite way to tell if you’re gay or lesbian. You can’t just take a simple test to determine your sexual orientation. Also, many people who think they’re homosexual are actually bisexual.
Accepting and Embracing Your Sexual Orientation
Being heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual doesn’t define you, but accepting yourself as a straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual person is an important part in developing a positive identity and higher self-esteem.
“Coming out” or revealing your homosexuality or bisexuality to those around you is crucial for you to develop a healthy identity. Not being honest with yourself and others means having to lie about your relationships and pretending to be someone you’re not. If you do this you may be at a greater risk for suicide, substance abuse, and violence.
It’s not always easy to be gay, especially around people who aren’t comfortable with your sexual orientation or are even homophobic. So try to surround yourself by people who do support you and your lifestyle. You’ll soon discover that most people interact with homosexual and bisexual people the same way as they do with heterosexual people.
Sexual Orientation
