How to accept that I'm a lesbian?

I know that I like girls since I was very little.

I am 19 years old now but I still can't accept the fact that I am gay. I have nothing against other gay people ofcourse , but many people do.

Most of my family members are against homosexuality. When I see how gay people are treated sometimes, it breaks my heart.

Nobody knows of this secret. I am so afraid that I will never have the courage to tell the truth.

I would love to hear your comments.

elin, I am so saddened to hear that you have no one in your family that accepts being gay. It is a shame how gay people are treated.

That is why I am so encouraged when I see people here on Psych Central come out of the closet of denial, not to family, work, church and friends, but to the people here on Psych Central. Here you are accepted for who you are, not your sexual preference. You are you, and that is what is wonderful about being a member here.

Of course, I am not trying to say you won't have challenges, but why try to explain something that people you know can not understand? Wait until you are more solid in your identity, financially independent, emotionally secure, and worked out the toxic attitudes that surround you with a therapist or other method.

The LGBTQ chat is on Mondays at 7pm-8PM EST. This is a great place to be yourself and meet others facing similar challenges. http://forums.psychcentral.com/calen...=2015-7-27&c=1

I have wanted my parents to accept me the way I am but as they approach their twilight years, I can see that it was too much for me to expect them to understand. I lived on the outside as they wanted me to be, but my inner life and online life is rich with who I am. Maybe down the road, things will be different, but I have chosen discretion over confrontation. It has allowed me to be more peaceful.

Thank you so much !! I will visit the chat soon. Thanks again

I m emotionally attracted to men and sexually attracted to women. I just realized that after so many years. Not sure what I m exactly and it scares me to the core. I know how you feel and I know it aint easy but things will be fine. Sorry that I can't give you a good advice because I m also finding it difficult like you are as where I live there is an antigay law. You aren't alone

I was afraid to be gay too, but I felt so much better after I started admitting it out loud and embracing it as a natural part of who I am.
Do you live in a safe area? How old are you, if I may ask?

-CW

Thank you. I live in Amsterdam and I am 19 years old. Even though the world thinks everything is allowed in here, some people still get beaten for being gay

Well, maybe it would be possible to find community there. It really helped me when I found other members of the LGBT community to talk to about what I was going through, and on top of that, there is at least some measure of safety in numbers.