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    Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ)

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    Coming to terms with one's sexuality and gender identity can be difficult for LGBTQ youth. They may face assumptions from family and friends about who they are, and have to make decisions about how to define themselves or hide their identities out of fear. Coming out is challenging and can elicit feelings of despair, but connecting with other LGBTQ people who understand provides strength. There are many approaches to coming out, and youth should weigh risks and wait until ready. Resources are available to help LGBTQ youth develop healthy coping skills, connect with role models, avoid stereotypes, and get culturally competent healthcare.

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    Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ)

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    api-26560965
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    Coming to terms with one's sexuality and gender identity can be difficult for LGBTQ youth. They may face assumptions from family and friends about who they are, and have to make decisions about how to define themselves or hide their identities out of fear. Coming out is challenging and can elicit feelings of despair, but connecting with other LGBTQ people who understand provides strength. There are many approaches to coming out, and youth should weigh risks and wait until ready. Resources are available to help LGBTQ youth develop healthy coping skills, connect with role models, avoid stereotypes, and get culturally competent healthcare.

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    Coming to terms with one's sexuality and gender identity can be difficult for LGBTQ youth. They may face assumptions from family and friends about who they are, and have to make decisions about how to define themselves or hide their identities out of fear. Coming out is challenging and can elicit feelings of despair, but connecting with other LGBTQ people who understand provides strength. There are many approaches to coming out, and youth should weigh risks and wait until ready. Resources are available to help LGBTQ youth develop healthy coping skills, connect with role models, avoid stereotypes, and get culturally competent healthcare.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    34 views1 page

    Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ)

    Uploaded by

    api-26560965
    Coming to terms with one's sexuality and gender identity can be difficult for LGBTQ youth. They may face assumptions from family and friends about who they are, and have to make decisions about how to define themselves or hide their identities out of fear. Coming out is challenging and can elicit feelings of despair, but connecting with other LGBTQ people who understand provides strength. There are many approaches to coming out, and youth should weigh risks and wait until ready. Resources are available to help LGBTQ youth develop healthy coping skills, connect with role models, avoid stereotypes, and get culturally competent healthcare.

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    Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Youth

    As many of us grew up, our family and friends made assumptions about our identities that may not have been truly
    accurate. As LGBTQ youth, we had to confront those assumptions and make decisions about how we would define
    ourselves, or, out of fear of discrimination or an unwillingness to label ourselves, become involved with members of the
    same sex without identifying as LGBTQ, Many LGBTQ young people are facing these decisions at an increasingly early
    age.

    Coming out to your family and friends can be very difficult, and it's completely understandable to feel despair, isolation and
    even anger, especially if you live in a homophobic environment. While your sexuality and gender arenʼt the only things that
    define who you are, most people are likely to assume that you are straight until you tell them otherwise. Just know that
    you're not alone in feeling this way; there are many people who have been through the same experience and feel stronger
    because of it.

    Coming to terms with one's sexuality isn't easy for anyone, so here are a few things that you should keep in mind:

    • There's no "right" or "wrong" way to come out. Anyone thinking of doing so should weigh the pros and cons, especially
    when it comes to your family. We all want our family to be proud of us and to approve of-or, at the very least, accept-the
    things that make us who we are, but coming out should be approached with care. In any case, it's important to keep in
    mind that there is no deadline for coming out; wait until you're ready.
    • Develop healthy techniques for expressing frustration, aggression or depression: exercise, speak to health professional
    or religious figure or indulge in the creative arts. Due to stressful environmental factors, substance abuse and suicide are
    disproportionately high for LGBTQ youth.
    • Connect with someone else who is LGBTQ-by phone or in person-who understands what you are going through.
    • Don't be rushed into sex. Being LGBTQ is about more than sex. Know how to protect yourself with condoms, dental
    dams or - if it's right for you - abstinence.
    • Go to your local college library. There is a long history of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people of all
    backgrounds who have written about their experiences - good and bad - that can provide inspiration and guidance.
    • Avoid the stereotypes. Our community is often stereotyped on television, but there are many different types of LGBTQ
    people. You are not alone in your experience.
    • Assault and sexual assault is a serious concern among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. If you are the
    victim of sexual assault, don't hesitate to report the crime to an adult you trust. No one has the right to touch you without
    your permission.

    EXPECT MORE! LGBTQ young people deserve equal access to culturally competent healthcare.

    For more information, please see:


    Advocates for Youth (www.advocatesforyouth.org)
    The National Youth Advocacy Coalition (www.nyacyouth.org)
    OutProud (www.outproud.org)
    Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (www.pflag.org)
    YouthResource (www.youthresource.com)

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