Gay, lesbian or bi
Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.
More posts by Christiane Fux All content is checked by medical journalists.People who are sexually attracted to the same sex are called homosexual. For boys and men this is colloquially known as gay. Girls and women who love women are also called lesbian. And then there are those who have sex with both men and women. Experts call this bisexual.
No illness!
It is not yet clear why a person becomes homosexual or bisexual. Why you feel the way you feel may not matter at all. After all, even a "straight person" never knows exactly why he falls in love with a special person. Love is a mysterious state, and that's nice too.
One thing is certain: homosexuality is not a disease and there is no reason to be ashamed. You can't change your sexual orientation either. Even if some homosexuals are married to partners of the opposite sex, those who are homosexual will remain so for life.
Widespread
Depending on the culture in which one lives, same-sex love is socially accepted, frowned upon or even persecuted, as it was under the Nazis. Some religions do not accept homosexuality either.
In the prudish 50s and 60s, being gay was still considered a perversion and was even punishable. Fortunately, that has now changed. Today there are self-confessed homosexual people in all professional groups and social classes.
But some seem to be downright homosexual-free because nobody comes out as gay or lesbian. This is the case in professional football, for example.
In this country, tolerance towards lesbian and gay lifestyles has risen steadily over the past few decades. And you don't have to be afraid at school either, a teacher or your teacher will not treat you differently because you are homosexual. If you want, talk to him or her, the counseling teacher, or ask your parents to do it for you.
Coming out
Although it is much easier for gays and lesbians today than in the past, many find it difficult to be open about their homosexuality. Especially when you are very young, you feel insecure if you are somehow different from your friends. If you discover as a boy that you like men, or as a girl you are attracted to women, you may be afraid of being marginalized or ridiculed.
For most of them, coming out, i.e. confessing to same-sex sexual identity, is not easy. Some make it sooner, others only later. Many first confide in a boyfriend or girlfriend because they are afraid of their parents' reaction. In reality, it is often not half as bad. And if your parents are shocked or wondering if they did something wrong, don't let yourself be unsettled. You are still their child and by telling them about your sexual orientation you have shown them a great deal of confidence. Give them some time, it probably took a little getting used to the idea that you are gay, lesbian, or bi.
In any case, it will make you feel better in the long run if you can stand by yourself and not have to hide.
Of course, a stupid saying can hit you that hurts. Most of the time, such remarks are only a sign that the proverb is unsafe itself. Of course, it is best to try to speak openly to such people in order to reduce prejudice. After all, you're still the same person you were before you came out. Some may be unteachable. You have to live with that. There are idiots everywhere.
If you are not sure if you are gay or if you know it and feel insecure, you can find more information and help here:
- You can get anonymous help under the "number against Kummer": 0800-1110333. The advisors there can also tell you about offers of help in the area.
- https://www.comingout.de/
