TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
I think im bisexual My parents dont understand

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey thanks for emailing us. This must be a really confusing time for you, especially when your thinking about your sexuality, and having your parents not understand. I wonder if you've sat down and talked to your parents about exactly what your feeling. Sometimes if you just talk about it then you and your parents can see eye-to-eye. Even talking to a close friend or counselor can help you sort through what your feeling. You can also call the "Trevor Line" at 800-850-8078 where you can talk to other teens going through the same thing. You can also always call us here at TEEN LINE so we can get into this further. Our number is 310-855-4673 and we're open from 6 to 10 pm PST.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
Hi my name is e______ and i am currently 17 almost 18. And i have alot of issues regarding depression and panic attacks! sometimes i feel really angry for some reason... and i dont know where this anger comes from? i am lossing intrests in the things i used to love. My parents dont know nothing about me and if they did they would hate who i have become! i am also bisexual.. in which this has ruined my life as well. i just need to talk to someone about my problems. and i want to know theres someone else who feels the same way and is willling to help me.

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey, thanks for contacting us at TEEN LINE. You should know that there are many teens out there who are going through a lot of the issues that you are going through. You are not alone. It sounds like you're really confused about what is going on in your life. It also seems like you're going through some changes. If you want to talk to someone you can always call us at TEEN LINE, the number is (310)855-4673. We are open from 6-10 PM pacific time. There will always be someone here to listen to what you have to say. Also, I want to give you the number for the Gay and Lesbian National Hotline, (888)843-4564. I hope that you can call either hotline. If not, is there a school counselor or a therapist who you can talk to? Therapy can help you understand how you're feeling. Hope to hear from you soon.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
HI Teenline, i need some advice.. This is going to be long.. when i was young i use to fool around with boys alot, but always thought i was straight because i liked girls too, because thats how i was brought up and since growing up in a family that always made fun of homosexuals i didnt take any notice of it, but now i have been feeling sexually attracted to men more than girls, but i still like girls, just not sexually, ive been sexually active with guys more than girls, i even tried to hook up with a girl once but before it got to far i didnt go through with it because it didnt feel right.. and i dont know whether this means im gay?, and to add to the confusion a year ago i fell for my bestfriend, who is a girl, i was fully in love with her, everyone knew we liked each other but we never acted upon it, when i left town for a few months, she found a boyfriend, but when i got back i could still see that we had a connection, her boyfriend has always been jealous of me because it feels like i know her better that he does, ive distanced myself from her because of complications with her boyfriend and father, but even to this day i still have the same feelings for her. so im sexually attracted to guys, but i felt this connection with my bestfriend, what does this mean? i cant talk to anyone else about this because i havent told anyone about liking guys, and my family are against same sex couples, i dont want to tell any of my friends because i dont want to them to tell anyone else, the only one i could tell anything to was that girl, but i cant tell her i like guys, because i like her. if i could ask someone i would have, but i cant. what can i do?

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey, Thanks so much for reaching out to TEEN LINE. It sounds like you're still figuring out your sexuality, because you know and acknowledge your attraction to guys but contrary to this you feel a really strong connection to your best friend who is a girl. I want you to know that it's totally normal to be feeling so unsure about your sexuality; so many people out there go through the exact same thing. Particularly when the people you are attracted to are really close friends, it can be really hard to deal with and simply understand. You mentioned that you can't talk to your parents or your best friend about how you're feeling, but it sounds like you wouldn't mind having someone to talk to. Have you considered maybe approaching a school counselor, or another trusted adult? If you don't feel comfortable doing this, I'd like to give you the number to Trevor Line, which is a LGBT (lesbian gay bisexual transgender) hotline. The number is 800-850-8078, and I really think they could help you through this. Also, you are always welcome to call us here at TEEN LINE at 310-855-4673. We are open every night from 6pm to 10pm PST.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
So on friday i told a couple of people that i am a lesbian! Some were like "Oh that's fine :) I've always wanted a lesbian friend" Others are now like "I'm going to make sure that she doesn't come no where near me. That way she can't rape me" But i wouldn't even touch them! I don't like girls my age and the girls at my school are like all skets! I tried to let them know that but they're all so stereotypical and continuously like "Eeeeek, don't come near me, she going to try and lick me out ... Errr, i hate you gays ... What's wrong with you? Go get some help .. You need to be killed" It doesn't bother me that much because they don't mean anything! It's just one of my closest friends that is a boy had the same reaction as everyone else! He found it offensive that i find males "disgusting" in that way .. So now he's in a bad mood with me and i don't know what to do!! I'm not changing for anyone because i have tried to hide the real me for the last 2 years and it made me extremely depressed to the point where i started cutting my wrists and try to comit suicide! I've got good friends that except me for me and are happy about it but the ones that have just changed on me are the ones i thought would be the ones there for me instead of the ones i've got with me now! I'm scared of going to school on monday because i'm affraid of "gay bashing" and i'm extremely terrified that it will make me depressed again and i really don't want to put my family through all of that again!

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey, thanks for emailing TEEN LINE. I can imagine how disappointing it would be to deal with your friends and peers changing how they act toward you just because of your sexual preference. You must feel pretty confused and abandoned. I'd like to give a website for LGBT youth called http://www.queeryouth.org.uk/community/. You seem like a really strong person for not wanting to change yourself for others. But it is really unfortunate you've tried to hide the real you and as a result it has made you depressed. I'm wondering if there's anyone in your life you feel you could talk to about this. Have you come out to your parents? It might help to have their support as you deal with this. Would you consider talking to someone you trust that could be sympathetic? Maybe an adult, friend, family member, or counselor? You shouldn't have to fear going to school. If you are being bullied at school, it is really important you tell an adult like a teacher or the principal. Also, just in case you are feeling suicidal again or are in danger of cutting I want to give you a couple of referrals. The first is for Samaritans 08457 90 90 90. Please call them if you are feeling sucidal. The second is for cutting, you could go to www.self-injury.net for support. If you ever want to talk about this or anything else again, feel free to call TEEN LINE. The number is 310-855-4673 and we're open every night from 6pm-10pm PST.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
So, I'm straight, so it might seem weird that I'm asking a question on the GLBT board, but something has happened to me that has suddenly made me become a part of this world, and I have never needed more help in my life. I've been dating a guy for a year and 8 months. I love him, and he's told me that he loves me. We've been sexually active since six months in. I have no regrets. However, I got an email the other day from one of my best friends since I was six, who is gay. In this message, my 'best friend' told me he had had sex with my boyrfriend six times over the past two months, and that my boyfriend has had sex with three other guys, all while I was dating him. I honestly thought it was a joke because I completely trust my boyfriend and know he wouldn't do anything like that. After talking to him, he admitted to it. He said that he was experimenting on feelings he had been having, and that he now is a bisexual. That's not what my problem is. I'm so angry at him for cheating on me, and it wouldn't matter if it was with a boy or a girl. He said that he only feels sexual attraction to men, where he feels emotional and sexual attraction with women (he's had like 4 other girlfriends). Help. What do I do? It's still fresh, and I don't know what to think? Do I forgive him? My greatest fear is that he will cheat on me again because he feels unfulfilled by me.

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Wow a thousand feelings must be running through your head. Angered that he cheated on you, confused on whether to stay with him or not, shocked that you found out about him and your best friend, and betrayed that he would do that to you. You must really feel overwhelmed by this whole situation. How do you think he will react if you would be honest with him and tell him exactly how you feel? What about your best friend, could you talk to him about this situation since he is gay and might have a better understanding? How about talking to a trusted friend of relative? You also mentioned that you really love him, if you still feel that way, do you think that there is anything you can do to make it work? You can always call into TEEN LINE if you ever want to talk. Our number is 800-852-8336 and we're open from 6-10pm pst.

a TEEN LINE listener