Do you check out women? Do you notice a woman’s smile, quirks, and features? Does your heart race and your stomach flutter when you see an attractive woman? Are you constantly daydreaming about a specific woman? Does the idea of holding hands, going out with, or kissing a woman make you excited?
Take the Kinsey Scale test. The Kinsey Scale assesses sexual orientation. A test was created to measure where you fall on the scale—from straight to gay. You will not be labeled straight, bisexual, or gay. The test is composed of 13 true/false questions and asks very little demographic information. [1] X Research source Take the Epstein Sexual Orientation Inventory (ESOI) test. Created by Robert Epstein, one of America’s most distinguished psychologists, the ESOI test evaluates an individual’s sexual orientation. Instead of labeling your sexual orientation, the test results reveal you where you fall on a sexual orientation continuum. This 18 question test only requires 5 minutes of your time. [2] X Research source
Sexual and romantic preference exists along a continuum. It is fluid, not static. Your sexual preference may not align with the standard definitions and that is more than O. K. It is extremely common and normal. Bisexual people may not be equally attracted to members of all genders. Many prefer a certain gender over others. Whether you have to be exclusively attracted to non-men to identify as a lesbian is still a controversial subject. Sapphic is a term used to describe non-men who are attracted to non-men, whether exclusively or not.
Start identifying any negative self-talk tendencies. What harmful lies are you telling yourself? Do these thoughts arise due to specific situations, like a conversation with a family member? Replace these negative phrases with personally crafted, positive mantras. When you catch yourself saying, “I am not worthy” or “I don’t deserve happiness,” take a deep breath, put a smile on your face and tell yourself that you are “valuable, loved, and entitled to lead an authentic life that makes you happy!”
Remember—you are not obligated to come out to anyone! Your identity and preferences are valid no matter who knows about them. [5] X Expert Source Marissa Floro, PhDCounseling Psychologist Expert Interview. 18 February 2021. Meet with a pediatrician or counselor to theorize about how your parents and peers may react. Consider how your parents and peers discuss and treat queer people. Think about how they react to difficult news. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source If your parents or peers are openly hostile towards queer people, be cautious and selective. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Learn how to distinguish between sex, gender; sexual orientation, and familiarize yourself with the spectrum of sexual orientation. Read academic literature—scholarship on LGBTQ topics is burgeoning! Stay up-to-date on LGBTQ issues covered in news.
Confide in friends and family members you can trust. Join a local support group or become a member of an online support community. [9] X Research source Attending a LGBTQIA-affirming church, temple, or house of worship will place you in contact with supportive men and women that share your religious values. gaychurch. org provides a list of LGBTQI-affirming Christian churches. A quick internet search will provide you with a list of LGBTQI-affirming churches, temples, or houses of worship in your area.
