Your Sexuality

What is sexuality?

Sexuality is a natural part of our personality and 'self'. Our sexuality is made up of many different things – our gender, sexual thoughts, desires and longings, fantasies, turn-ons and experiences, the society in which we live - whether we identify as gay, heterosexual, lesbian, bisexual or celibate

The 'thing' that attracts one person to another may not always be sexual - it could be sense of humour, personality, 'likeability', compatibility, or intelligence.

Each of us expresses our sexuality in different ways and we all find different people attractive.

Sexual orientation

Sexual orientation is usually described according to the sex or gender of the people that you are sexually attracted to.

Although people may use other labels, sexual orientation is usually discussed in terms of the following categories:

Heterosexual or straight is used to describe people who are attracted to people of the opposite sex
Gay is used to describe people who are attracted to people of the same sex (sometimes used to describe men who are attracted to other men
Lesbian is used to describe women who are attracted to other women
Bisexual is used to describe people who are attracted to both men and women

I think I might be Gay

Knowing you’re gay is not something you can always work out straight away. Your sexual identity usually develops over time. Some Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual people say they ‘felt different’ at an early age. For others it can take much longer and you may not fully realise and understand your feelings until later in life.

Don’t be worried about this. Finding out about your feelings and what makes you ‘tick’ isn’t something you have to rush. Experimentation and exploration are often part of that. You may find these experiences pleasurable, troubling or a mix of the two.

Over time you will find that you are drawn mostly to men or women or both – and you’ll know then. If you’re feeling confused, you’re not alone.

For information and support:

http://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/ – LGBT Youth Scotland, a national organisation supporting lesbian, Gay, bisexual and transgender young people

http://www.lgbthealth.org.uk/

http://www.tht.org.uk/

http://www.stonewall.org.uk/

http://www.lesbianhealth.org.uk/

http://www.positivelywomen.org.uk/

http://www.lesbian-mothers-scotland.org.uk/

http://www.ilga.org/