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 🙂

[CoralWurth]

This is such a welcoming space! It's great that you're creating a place for serious conversations. Everyone deserves to share their experiences and ask questions without judgment. I think it’s really important for folks to have support, especially when figuring out their identity.

[CoralWurth]

 As a gay person, I know how crucial it is to have spaces like this where we can talk openly. I recently went to an even in Chicago, and it was such a freeing experience. The vibe was super inclusive, and people were just being themselves, celebrating who they are. Events like that can really boost your confidence and help you feel connected to the community.

[Guest_22489694]

Hello!

From a young age, I've known I was attracted to the same gender. Still, I suppressed those feelings and conformed to dating/ interacting sexually with the opposite gender and convincing myself I liked them to feel a sense of "normal" as I've always felt like an outcast and never been sure of who I am. Recently my feelings for girls have intensified and the shame feels suffocating, even though I have no idea where all that shame has come from because I have same-sex couples all around me. Not many people know about my true sexuality so I can't discuss my struggles with anyone who can provide me with proper help or support to reassure me that what I'm going through is okay. Can someone please offer me guidance or advice on my next steps to accept myself?

- Sofia 💋