LGBT+ members - got a question - need somewhere to start - here is the place

[MsPurple]

Welcome LGBT+ members and ally to the community.

A few LGBT+ forum users have questions and concerns they can't a find a place to ask it here on the beyond blue forums so I thought starting a place for questions and more serious/heavy conversations 🙂 Here you can ask questions about anything from questioning your sexuality/gender identity, coming out concerns, dating, mental health etc. If you are an ally (an Ally is a person who considers themselves a friend to the LGBTQ+ community) you are also welcome to come here to be a support to our community and ask questions as well. This is a supportive place for people to discuss their questions and concerns, we are not a place of judgement. As Thumper from the movie Bambi said "If you can't say somethin' nice, don't say nothin' at all."

If you are looking for a more social and light hearted conversation might I suggest joining us on the thread under BB social/rainbow cafe. Copy and paste the link: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/bb-social-zone/let's-chat-about-anything

Feel free to introduce yourself below and ask any question/s

I thought I'd answer one common question in the intro post and this is one I have heard a lot. What do the letters mean? When referring to the community it is shortened to LGBT+ as there are more letters than just the 4. I have put some of the common ones here: Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Transsexual Two-spirited Queer Questioning Intersex Asexual Ally Pansexual Agender Gender Queer

Welcome everyone and hope to see you around on this thread and around the BB forums

MP 🙂

[CalmCat]

Hi Bellsie1,

Thank you for being so open and brave with your question.

We all come in different shapes and sizes, if your friend can accept you for who you I'd lovingly let go of the friendship. I'm sure you'll find people out there that will accept you for who you are.

Please let us know how you go and feel with my comment.

Regards,

D

[Birdy77]

Dear Jo W,

What a lovely message you posted!

You are so welcome here and it is so beautiful to hear of your eye-and-heart-openings!!

You are amongst friends here Jo, and you are welcome to join in any discussions that take your fancy, chat amongst any of the social threads, or start your own thread if you feel like it.

Very glad you have found your way here, and thanks for your lovely opening post.

birdy

[Birdy77]

Hey Bellsie1,

That mist hurt so much that a person you trusted with your private, personal stuff would go and tell someone else without your permission.

Now that your other friend has been told your private info and they "hate you" for it ... geeze i feel sorry for that person! To be so closed up in their hearts and minds to think ill of you, just because you identify as pansexual??? They are a very sad person if that is case. Poor them!!

Pansexuality to me represents open and all-embracing appreciation of the beauty of human life. What is not to love about that?!!?

I do understand not wanting to lose another friend - friendships are super important .... so ... how do you feel about it? I mean, ... What would you like to see happen, (even in an ideal world?).

[JarryMipple]

I believe that everyone should live how he wants and don't impose his opinion to other people

[Jo8049]

Thank you Birdy for the welcome , I am feeling comfortable in this space now . Was on the side for a while . There is much very helpful info in these forums . Have been doing quite a bit of reading and it warms my heart . Question: I live in remote area and may be down in Brisbane in the first quarter of 2021 , I would dearly like to touch base with trans community while there if possible but I have no idea how to achieve this . Any advice from anyone would be welcomed . A safe and happy Christmas , to all , love Jo

[eight]

i don't know specific places as im not a brisbanite but some suggestions: if youve got social media (facebook probably works best for this) search up "trans brisbane" or "lgbt brisbane" or "rainbow brisbane" something along those lines you might find groups or places or organisations.

possibly ask qlife - qlife.org.au or 1800 184 527 their hours have been off due to covid but they usually operate every evening and tell them what you told us, you want to know how to talk to the brisbane trans community. the qld lgbt org diverse voices also has a community referral database: scroll to the bottom of this page http://diversevoices.org.au/services/community-directory/ put Trans* and gender questioning in the search bar, filter to brisbane queensland and it'll bring up orgs related.

a caveat is, depending on how coronavirus is treating brisbane in 2021 q1 and the decisions of these groups they may have covidsafe protocols like limited attendance, no mask no entry, social distancing in place, no being touchy-feely with others (seems to be a growing rule for these spaces in general even pre-pandemic times) or they might be online (i know some groups using zoom or discord for their meetups). i don't know the batteries in my crystal ball drain fast. merry christmas and a safe new year to you too, mate. i hope you find what you're looking for

[Jo8049]

Thank you so much 303 , I am taking all your info on board and will start making a,few calls in the new year. Heaps of appreciation too. Am very new in this space and feeling my way a bit , but so glad to be here . You and all others stay safe happy and healthy now and in 2021 .

Love and kindness to all , Jo

[Jo8049]

PS . Eight not 303 . Apologies Jo

[Guest_4643]

hi everyone. i know this thread was last active in december 2020, i do apologise for randomly popping in here and commenting so late on, but i was browsing the forums and came across it.

i just wanted to know, is it normal and ok to question my sexuality? thanks.

[Jo8049]

Hi Mb , Jo here . Of course it is OK to question your sexuality I think . Why would it not be ?

I question everything in my life at some time or other . For me on my journey of transition there have been many questioning moments . I have found out so much ( affirming or not ) about myself and the world around me through this process . One thing I did find was if it started to get dark leave it till in a safe place ( do something else that requires all your attention ) to open that thought up again . Even if that means waiting for next psych appointment etc .

Hugs Mb and stay safe . xxxx

Jo&LD