Your sexuality refers to who you are sexually or romantically attracted to.
Your experience
You may find that you are attracted to people of another gender, or people of your own gender, or both – or you may find that you are not sexually or romantically attracted to other people.
LGBTQ+
The terms ‘LGBTQ+’ / ‘LGBTI+’ are umbrella terms used to describe people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, or in another way.
Whether you feel you are sure about your sexuality, or whether you feel you aren’t sure and need some time to figure it out, that’s perfectly ok.
You may also find that your sexuality changes over the course of your lifetime.
Coming Out
If you are LGBTQ+ and feel like you would like to tell other people about your sexuality, you may decide to ‘come out’.
While Ireland has become a much more welcoming place, there are still people who are ‘homophobic’ or ‘transphobic’. In other words, they have a negative view of people who are LGBTQ+.
Remember, nobody has a right to treat you unfairly because of your sexual orientation or for any other reason.
Support is Available
You are not alone. There is support available.
Childline is always here to listen to you.
BeLonG To, Ireland’s national LGBTQ+ youth organisation, provides support to young people aged 13 – 24 and runs a number of youth groups across the country. For details, click here.
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