You might have heard people talking about being “gay curious.” You may have heard someone say that they were “questioning.”
Being "gay curious" and "questioning" refer to people who have questions about their sexual orientation or gender identity. Some people question whether they are lesbian or gay. Perhaps they might be bisexual. Others question whether they are straight.
The "Q" in "LGBTQ" stands for "Questioning."
People who are "curious" or "questioning" often go through a period of self exploration. They may feel confused. They may experiment with their feelings and attractions to see what identity would best describe them.
Questioning your sexual orientation, or being "gay curious," is really common for a lot of teens
As one teen has said, "I am 16 years old and questioning if I'm gay or not. I'm pretty sure I am but currently have a boyfriend because I really don't know yet."
Sometimes teens can find answers by asking themselves things like:
Who do I usually have crushes on? Is it mainly someone of the same gender? Do I imagine relationships with someone of the same gender? If I have dated or had a sexual experience with someone of the opposite gender, how did it make me feel? If I dated or had a sexual experience with someone of the same gender, how did it make me feel? Do I feel strongly attracted to people of both genders? Do I think you could have a sexual or romantic relationship with either males or females?
If possible, try not to put too much pressure on yourself to come up with an answer right now. Remember, there is a whole lot of stuff to figure out when you are a teen. It’s perfectly normal if some of this figuring out is a process.
RESOURCES
Links For Questioning Youth
OutProud
Site for the National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual & Transgender Youth. This site contains
personal stories, online brochures, libraries, and
forum.
Gay
Teen Forum
Forum specifically geared toward gay teens.
Gay
Teens Resources
International GLBTQ youth site that shares the latest
news and fun activities while providing support and open
forum discussions.
The Trevor Project
National organization that helps with crisis and suicide
prevention efforts among LGBTQ youth. Provides
confidential questions and answers for non
time-sensitive questions about sexual orientation and
gender identity.
Being
Gay Is Okay
LGBTQ website that gives information and advice and is
specifically for people under twenty-five.
LGBT National Help Center
Telephone and online chat peer-counseling service that
is free and confidential for people with questions about
LGBTQ issues.
LGBT
National Resource Database
With this site you will be able to find LGBTQ
organizations and events near you.
Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance Q-munity
Website designed to help you feel connected to others
with the same LGBTQ questions and concerns, specifically
for youths, thirteen to twenty year olds.
Virtual Teen
Forums for teenagers to discuss puberty and sexuality,
including puberty, masturbation, sex, homosexuality,
bisexuality, and asexuality.
Teen Help
Forum for teens who are questioning their own sexuality,
gender identity issues, and other topics.
Teen Line
Teenagers can call this confidential hotline from 6:00pm
to 10:00pm PST. The website offers email, help, online
chat, and message boards for any question a teen might
have.
Sex Etc
Provides information to help answer any questions
concerning GLBTQ issues. This site also contains videos,
comics, quizzes, and forums.
Go Ask Alice
Alice will answer any questions about sexual health and
orientation.
Ambiente Joven
Latino/Latina youth resource for LGBTQ teens.
Amplify Your Voice
Great youth-driven blog site that has sections like
LGBTQ Rights, Gender and Stereotypes, Sex and Our
Culture, etc.
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
Promotes equality is school environments in order to
protect the respect and acceptance of LGBTQ students; a
resource for bullied LGBTQ students.
Coalition for Positive Sexuality
Promoting positive attitude towards sexuality created by
teens for teens.
Youth Guardian Services
Youth-run, non-profit organization to support LGBTQ
individuals. Individuals can share GLBTQ friendly media
suggestions.
AntiJen Pages
Transsexual support site that offers high school
stories, articles, and advice.