you have the right
to be
whoever you are

resources for gay and questioning youth
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whoever you are

We live in a world where people seem to be in a big hurry to judge each other. Some people think that everyone should live in exactly the same way - their way.

Some people worry about whether they will fit in.

But everyone has the right to be the person that they are. Nobody chooses to be left handed, to be tall, or short. Nobody chooses to be born with this skin color, or that skin color. Nobody chooses to be attracted to other members of their own gender either, but some people try to make it an issue.

you have the right

Each of us spends a certain amount of time trying to understand who we are, what makes us tick, what makes us like the things that we like. Young people naturally spend more of their energy trying to understand themselves. As teenagers, most of us begin to become aware of our own sexuality. Some teens find that they are attracted to both genders, some are attracted to their own gender, while most teens are attracted to the opposite sex.

gay boy? lesbian girl? curious? confused?

It's OK to wonder, it's OK to question, and the biggest surprise of all is that it is OK to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. Despite the tales of some TV preachers who earn a living by lying about gay people, nobody chooses to be gay.

As we become teenagers each of us starts to have an interest, sooner or later, in physical intimacy with other people. So-called straight people do not make a conscious decision to be attracted to members of the opposite sex. No straight person could possibly tell you the date and time when they chose to be heterosexual.

to be yourself

However you are, you have the right to be that way. However you feel, your feelings are legitimate and OK. Only you can say if you are straight, gay, bisexual, or a little of each. There is no due date for a conclusion about who you are. It is OK to take the time you need to figure things out, in fact it is recommended. There isn't a specific age when you must conclude that you are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

be kind to yourself

Don't put yourself through a wringer feeling like you need to know right now. It takes time to figure out who you are, there is no timetable. Relax. Enjoy life.

 
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