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 🙂

[MsPurple]

🙂

does anyone have a question or a topic they would like to discuss that they think maybe a bit deep for the cafe thread?

[Raynor]

I hate the way the no campaign is pitching their message - basically that the reason same sex couples shouldn't marry is that it will make all the kids of the nation trans (or at least a cross-dresser).

#1 this is completely illogical and stupid

#2 is being trans (or a boy wearing a dress to school) really the worst thing that parents can imagine for their children?

I alternate between anger and sadness. Only the rainbow posters in cafe/shop windows here are keeping me from despair.

Rayne

[MsPurple]

Hi Raynor. Great topic.

I am completely disgusted how they haven't put rules and regulations for the campaign pitches. It can cause distress to members of the LGBT+ community (around 1 in 10 are estimated to be part of the community) and it is a form of discrimination. If they did adds like this towards aboriginal people (show discrimination and isolation and saying it is against GOD being who you are) there would be outrage.

I completely agree, allowing same sex marriage would not cause kids to be trans. That is a completely different topic. Sexuality and gender identity are different (I know some identify as both trans and gay so sometimes they can go hand in hand but not always). We already know from people have been baught up by same sex couples that it doesn't mean the kid will be homosexual. It is not an environmental thing. Yes if you are in a positive environment you are more likely to be open and true to yourself but it wouldn't cause you to be gay being baught up by a same sex couples. There are ways of getting mother or father figures other than biological or household living people. My friend was baught up by a single mother and her uncle was a father figure. She didn't miss out. She was happy. And same sex couple kids are just as happy as heterosexual couple raised kids. Plus allowing marriage equality doesn't mean they will have kids. They can have kids without being married. So saying 'think of the kids' is kinda irrelevant.

I am glad this place keeps you from dispair. It makes me so happy being on the forums hearing that we are helping people.

[MsPurple]

I also get happy seeing local cafes and shops showing support to equal marriage 🙂

[Raynor]

Maybe the High Court will put an end to the survey. Not that that will make the whole thing go away.

I'm staying with my parents on weekend. My homophobic, transphobic, everything-thats-not their-religion/culture-phobic parents. I'm pretty worried this time.

[MsPurple]

I have a feeling the high court didn't stop the plebiscite. Which is not the best news. I'm at least hoping majority of Australia who vote show their support for our community

So your parents are supportive? I'm really sorry to hear that. (virtual hug, sorry I'm a hugger). I'm hopping in time they understand that you can be christian/or any religion and still accept love and gender in all forms.

[Lonelydan]

Raynor, It's so unfair that you have parents that put there beliefs before there own child. This is just so wrong please don't let it get to you although I know that is impossible. There views and beliefs are there's to have and uphold, my view is people like that are dangerous, they are not independent someone else has decided what and who is appropriate. I think we're about the same age, how would you feel about telling them how there treatment makes you feel let them have it I think you are wonderful and I'm glad there's people like you on this earth. You can be a role model for my child and grand babies anytime. Danny.

[Lonelydan]

Sara, As a child you know what happened to me and i you. I'm so sorry that happened to your child as well. The difference is we are good parents who love our children who would do anything for them. We know how these parasites work they find us we stand out like bright lights. It's not your fault you didn't know, you were vulnerable trying your best to be a family others let you down. But like me you got up every morning made sure your baby was loved and cared for went to work even when you felt like crap and repeated it on and on. That's what a parent worth there weight dose, you are an inspiration to me because I understand you ms Connor. Danny. xx

[MsPurple]

Hi everyone. How is everyone going? Unfortunatley the vote is definately going ahead. I am obviously voting yes and hoping everyone else (in Australia) is also voting yes. How is everyone dealing with it? I know the no campaign is hard to hear. Them trying to make us feel less than them due to due to our sexuality. It's not like being gay or straight or other identifying is a choice. Just show love. I know a few Christians and churches voting yes because they think it is the right thing to do. I hope everyone is doing ok. Remember we are here together and if you need to call someone during this time you can always call beyond blue or lifeline

[startingnew]

im definently voting yes guys

i dont really have much to add here but i tend to read along and like to follow with this thread