Why do I feel attracted to people of my own sex?

Same sex attraction

Young people often ask, 'Why am I attracted to people of the same sex?' People very rarely ask, 'why am I attracted to people of the opposite sex?' One of the great things about human beings is that they are different. Part of that difference is a variation in the people we are attracted to.

Society often looks for a cause to something that is different so that it can be 'fixed'. Being attracted to someone of the same sex is not something to be 'fixed', just as being attracted to someone of the opposite sex is not something to be 'fixed'.

Being gay, lesbian or bisexual is natural and healthy, and the vast majority of psychologists and psychiatrists consider it unethical to try to change a person's sexual orientation.

We live in a world that often fears difference, and equates different with wrong. This prejudice is the same as racism and other forms of discrimination. Being attracted to people of the same sex is only part of who you are.

I don't fit a stereotype

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, like all people, are diverse. They are all ages, come from all cultures and religions, and work in all professions. The fact is that myths and stereotypes exist because of ignorance and assumptions. Some people fit the stereotypes and some don't. Trust your feelings and be yourself.

There are many misunderstandings about sexuality and sex. We often hear and see stereotypes of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Stereotypes can comprise some of the following: all gay men have anal sex, lesbians hate men, gay men dress like women or behave like women, and AIDS is a gay disease. These are all stereotypes and are all wrong. Think to yourself whether you would believe those stereotypes if they were said about heterosexual people.

Being gay, lesbian or bisexual is not defined by how you look, where you go or the job you do. It is defined by how you feel and who you are attracted to. Trust those feelings and be yourself.

More Infomation

Call the Gay Switchboard on 01 872 1055.

Call, email or drop into BeLonG To, a support service for young people aged 14-23 who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender.

 

Acknowledgements

Text adapted from "You're not alone", a booklet written by the Gay and Lesbian counselling service (WA) and the WA AIDS council under the "Here for Life" sexuality project.