Gay is a word the people use to describe people who are
sexually or romantically attracted to people of the same sex.
Gay can apply to men or women.

Lesbian is word that is specifically used to describe women who are sexually and romantically attracted to other women.

Bisexual is word used to describe people who are attracted to people of both sexes. Bisexual applies to both men and women.

There are lots of other people who don't think of themselves as being gay, lesbian or bisexual who are sometimes attracted to people of the same sex, or perhaps just one person of the same sex as well.

Whatever you choose to call yourself all these feelings are normal and healthy. It's worth mentioning that these feelings sometimes change at different times in your life. Some people don't realise they are gay lesbian or bisexual till they are much older. Others know from a very young age. For people who are not sure about their sexual attraction, it can feel really difficult and confusing. It's always easier to talk through these feeling rather than go through it alone. The Place is somewhere you can come and talk about these feelings, and have someone go through it with you and be sure that we'll keep it confidential.

So why might being gay lesbian or bisexual be difficult?

When young people are growing up, everyone expects all young people to grow up heterosexual (or straight). This means that when people find themselves sexually and emotionally attracted to people of the same sex, it can feel a bit difficult or scary to accept these feelings. Part of this can be because there is a lot of people who are prejudiced against people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB). All the way through school you hear unkind and cruel words to describe LGB people. Some LGB people are also worried about what their parents or carers might think if they knew. Some young people are bullied because other young people know or presume them to be LGB.

For some young LGB people this means that you can spend all your time trying to cope with the prejudice or trying to hide your identity so that you don' actually get a chance to explore your feelings and or try out relationships the way other young people might. We think all young people should be treated with respect and have a right to explore relationships and find out what is right for them.

At The Place we can talk through these feelings with you, or if you are being bullied or are worried about how people might react to finding out you are LGB, you can come and talk over options.

Sometimes support from other young people or even a chance to meet and talk to other young people can be a huge relief! If you would like to meet other LGB young people, there is a youth group specially for LGB young people called the Vivid Youth who meet once a week and which you can get in touch with by contacting the Strathclyde Gay and Lesbian Switchboard on 0141 332 8372 from 7pm till midnight. The other is the LIPS project which is specifically for young women. They meet once a fortnight at Glasgow Women's Library

Males can also visit The Steve Retson Project's website for further information