I am attracted to girls, and I think I’m a lesbian, but I’m scared about coming out in case people judge me.
Having questions about your sexuality is perfectly normal. Your sexual “orientation” will develop over time. What is most important is that you listen to your feelings – you don’t need to label yourself.
There are many people who are willing to help and support you. If you haven’t had the chance to talk about your feelings with anyone, think about a person with whom you feel comfortable and can trust. It’s possible that not everyone you meet will be accepting of your sexual orientation, and you may face some prejudice and discrimination. It’s important to trust your own instincts and feelings about who to reach out to for support.
The person that you choose to talk with could be a:
- Parent
- Health care provider
- Family member
- School counselor
- Trusted friend
- Teacher
- Clergy member
Sharing how you feel with someone who is willing to listen is very important. If there is no one in your life that you can trust, there are plenty of resources available that will tell you where you can go to meet people and discuss your feelings. For example: many schools have Gay/Straight Alliances, GLBT Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender networks or other groups where you can meet other students and teachers willing to listen and share their own experiences.