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Young people who are LGBT

LGBT is a commonly-used abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.  It may also apply to those people who are questioning their sexuality.

  • Straight - being ‘straight’ (or heterosexual) is when you are attracted to the opposite sex, i.e. a man being attracted to a woman, or vice versa
  • Gay and lesbian - being ‘gay’ (or homosexual) means being attracted to people who are the same sex as yourself. The word "lesbian" is usually exclusively used for gay women, whereas the word "gay" can apply to both men or women
  • Bi - bisexuality is when you are attracted to both males and females, and not exclusively to just one sex
  • Transgender - is when you have changed your gender through gender reassignment surgery and become the opposite sex

Being any of the above is completely normal.  It's common for many young people to be unsure about their sexual preference. You don't have to make any rush decision. Explore your feelings and if you feel comfortable talking to someone you can trust about them, then it is advisable to do so. If you are unable to talk to your family or friends about your sexuality, then an alternative would be to seek confidential advice from a professional, such as one of our youth workers.