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SEXUALITY

Exploring your feelings is a natural part of discovering your sexuality. Being comfortable with your desires, fantasies and feelings about sex, and how you express these things, will help you reach sexual maturity, whether you’re straight , gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Sexuality is a natural and healthy part of living, with individuals expressing their feelings in a variety of ways. Above all else, your sexuality is your very own. So it’s important to be honest about your feelings and take time to learn about yourself - make sure you like and enjoy who you are.

But exploring your sexuality doesn't mean you have to rush out and have sex with lots of different people. It’s about the whole life experience, emotions and relationships and being aware of your own feelings of attraction and desires, while considering just how much these feelings are influenced by:

· the views of society and people around you

· what you think you should be doing or feeling rather than what you truly feel

You don't need to label yourself or be pushed in any one direction. While some people know from an early age that they are gay or lesbian and have stronger feelings for their same sex rather than the opposite sex, you need to do what feels right for you and that can take time.

Un derstanding your own sexuality means you’ll feel more comfortable with yourself and help you relate better to others. So don’t rush into giving yourself a label - be comfortable with your feelings before broadcasting them to your world.

Be safe

No matter if you are straight, gay, lesbian, bi or transgender, sexual relationships should never involve bullying or abuse. And always have safe sex to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy. It's also a good idea to know the law.

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Looking for advice on sexual health?

Be true to yourself

Sadly some people still lack understanding and are unable to accept any other sexual orientation than their own. Such prejudice can be hard to take, forcing you to keep your sexuality quiet. While this may seem fine in the short term, do you really want to hide this side of you forever? Don't allow this lack of understanding to make you feel bad about yourself - you have every right to be comfortable with who you are!

And just because you may have a different sexual preference to the rest of your pals, you don't have to change yourself. Stay true to yourself and let life carry on as normal!

Confused and anxious?

If you are confused and anxious about your sexuality, or worried about telling your parents, carers, family or friends, remember it’s good to talk things through in confidence with someone you can trust. There are also helplines and support groups for parents, families and friends.

It may also help if you read about others who have gone through the same thing as you – there’s lots of information on the internet.

You can speak in confidence with one of the team at Caledonia Youth.

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Someone to talk to

Contact us

Or get in touch with LGBT Youth Scotland, which offers advice and support along with a wide range of groups, activities, volunteer opportunities, and events for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender young people and their friends.

http://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/

The Terrence Higgins Trust offers advice to young gay and bisexual men. You can phone the helpline on 0845 12 21 200 (Mon to Fri 10am - 10pm, Sat & Sun 12pm - 6pm) or find out more information at:

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