LGBTIQ Youth: Living
Q: I think I might be LGBTIQ. How do I know for sure?
Q: I know I am LGBTIQ and I'm also religious. Is there
anyone else out there like me?
Q: I recently came out, and now I'm constantly being
bullied at school. What should I do to stop being harassed?
Q: I think one of my friends is being abused by their
partner. What do I do?
Q: I had unprotected sex with a guy last night and now
I'm worried I might be pregnant. What should I do?
Q: I have a crush on a friend from school. How do I know
if the friend likes me back?
Q. I think I might be LGBTIQ.
How do I know for sure?
A. It's a very common thing for people to question
their sexuality and/or gender identity. You do
not need to have had a same sex sexual experience to know
that you are LGBTIQ.
"Knowing" your orientation/identity is not the same thing
as sexual behavior. For many people, there are a multitude
of aspects to their sexual orientations and gender identity,
so there is no "one thing" that can answer this question for
you.
A few suggestions: give yourself time, talk to people you
trust about what you're feeling, check out a local LGBTIQ
youth group (Note the "Q" = questioning part! You don't have to "know"
to go.) You will figure out what is true for
you. Remember that there are many youth out there just like
you!
Q. I know I am (LGBTIQ) and I'm also religious. Is there
anyone else out there like me?
A. Religion and spirituality are important for many
LGBTIQ people. For almost every religion/community of faith
out there, there is an LGBTIQ group associated with it.
Search the web for more information; there may be a local
LGBTIQ-friendly community of your faith nearby!
Q. I recently came out, and now I'm constantly being
bullied at school. What should I do to stop being harassed?
A. Think if there is an adult at home or at your school
that you can tell about it. Try talking to them for ideas on how
to stop the bullying without resorting to violence. If you
don't feel comfortable doing that, contact the Colorado
Anti-Violence Project (CAVP) at (303) 839-5204. CAVP is for
LGBTIQ people and they can offer you support. Remember that
everyone deserves to feel safe while going to school.
Q. I think one of my friends is being abused by their
partner. What do I do?
A. Dating violence is serious and occurs in same-sex
relationships as often as in heterosexual relationships; but
sadly, it is often overlooked. There are, however,
resources out there to help you and your friend. For support
in Colorado call (303)
839-5204.
Remember, you are not alone.
Q. I had unprotected sex with a guy last night and now
I'm worried I might be pregnant. What should I do?
A. Unplanned pregnancy is a concern for young women who
have sex with women more often than many people realize.
Fortunately, emergency contraception is an option that can
be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.
Emergency contraception should be taken as soon as
possible after unprotected sex occurs, but it can be taken
up to 72 hours after sex and still be effective. Keep in mind that it
doesn't prevent STIs or HIV, and you should get tested. If
you'd like information about the free teen clinic in Boulder
County, go to: www.bvwhc.org/youth.html
Q. I have a crush on a friend from school. How do I know
if the friend likes me back?
A. Well, the only way to be completely sure is to
ask how he or she feels about you. However, maybe you should
first find out how the friend feels about LGBTIQ people in
general. If the friend doesn't seem too comfortable about
LGBTIQ people, then it might be safer for you to keep your
crush to yourself. You might also want to look up a youth
group in your area to meet other LGBTIQ youth, who can
probably relate to your relationship concerns. For youth
groups in the Boulder County area, go to: www.boulderpride.org/oasos.htm
Boulder County Public Health endorses the
Open and Affirming Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
Support (OASOS) youth group.
Top of Page
We'd like to thank Advocates for Youth for allowing us to
use portions of this Q and A text, which were taken from an article
written by Advocates for Youth in the
summer of 2004.
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