TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
I'm 13 turning 14 on March... I known that I've been gay since i was little.... i went out with some girls to hide who I really am.. I've told one of my cousin and a friend that i'm gay. It felt really good to let it out.. but i'm afraid to tell my parents who I am. I know my mom would take it a little hard not too hard and my step-dad won't even care. I trust my mom a lot and I love her. I think she knows i'm gay since one day she told me that It's ok not to like girls. I felt glad, but i didn't have the guts to tell her.. i'm afraid to call the gay youth center thinking that my parents might find out or to tell me friends at school.I don't hang out with boys it's always with girls. Please help.Thank you.

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey. It sounds like your feeling really anxious right now, and that your going through a tough time. It is totally normal to feel anxious about coming out. I'm sorry you have to hide who you really are. But it is very positive that you have an accepting home environment. Its fine that you prefer to hang out with girls as well, and you don't have to tell anyone you don't want to about your sexual orientation. The gay youth center that you mentioned could probably be very helpful in discussing ways to feel more comfortable with your sexuality and sharing it with others, and you could call from your friends house whom you came out to. You could also try talking to a school counselor. If you just want to talk to someone anonymous and confidential, you can call or chat with us on our hotline any night from 6 to 10 PST at 1-310-855-HOPE.

a TEEN LINE teen