If you’ve ever heard the phrase “They came out of the closet” it’s referring to the process that people who are LGBTQ+ go through as they learn their sexual orientation or gender identity and are ready to share that identity openly with other people. Coming out as LGBTQ+ can be exciting, scary, but a very brave thing for someone to do. Some LGBTQ+ people choose to come out to only themselves, close friends or to no one else. Only you can decide when, and how you do it. You should come out if and when you’re ready and feel safe doing so.
Let’s Talk Sexuality
What is sexuality?
Sexuality means many different things to a lot of different people. It’s an umbrella term that refers to sexual orientation, sexual preferences, and all that comes with having sex. Sexuality is a major part of how we understand the world around us, express our emotions as human beings, and relate to others.
sexual orientation
Is a person’s romantic or sexual attraction to another person! There are a variety of different sexual orientations.
- Lesbian: attracted to the same sex (female to female)
- Gay: attracted to the same sex (male to male)
- Bisexual: attracted to both sexes (female and male)
- Pansexual: sexually or romantically attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender
- Queer or Questioning: Queer is an umbrella term for one to use when they either don’t want to have an exact label or possibly still questioning/ a term used to express that sexual orientation can change over time, and might not fit neatly into either/or identities
- Asexual: experiencing no sexual attraction to others
Otherwise known as the LGBTQ+ community.
The “+” is to let us know that labels change and are added continuously to describe sexual orientation.
It’s okay for someone’s sexual orientation to change over time and it’s okay for it to stay the same as well. Sexual orientation lives on a spectrum! Labels are constantly evolving and changing.
Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if someone uses a term you haven’t heard before.