Sexual orientation is not a single thing.It is often a long, complex and emotional journey to identify your sexual preferences and to accept them.This process may feel overwhelming.You should be able to uncover your true self.Trust your instincts, and be honest with yourself.You should listen to your body.You should acknowledge your true feelings.Accept that you discover something about yourself during the process.
Step 1: Evaluate why you are questioning your sexual orientation.
It is a personal decision to explore your sexual orientation.Question your sexuality because it is a process you need to complete, not because members of society are telling you that you are a lesbian.Time should be devoted to self-reflection.It is possible to keep a journal, private diary, or video diary.
Step 2: Men and women have romantic attraction.
Romantic attraction is when you want to date a woman.Do you check out women?Do you notice a woman's quirks?Does your heart race when you see a woman?Are you constantly thinking about a woman?Does the idea of kissing a woman make you excited?
Step 3: Think about if you are attracted to women.
Do you think women are attractive?Are you aroused by women?What women would look like if they were naked?Do you prefer to have sex with women?You are likely to be attracted to women if that is the case.
Step 4: Take a test to find out if you are gay.
New truths about your sexual preferences can be revealed if you take a sexual orientation test.The test results may confirm your self-assessment if you are fairly confident in your ability to identify your sexual preferences.Online sexual orientation tests are useful, but not official.If you are set up in a sexual situation with someone of your gender and asked if you like it, that doesn't prove anything.They don't like the sexual activity they describe as lesbian.The Kinsey Scale test was made by a psychologist.The test is called the Kinsey Scale.Sexual orientation is assessed by the Kinsey Scale.To measure where you fall on the scale, a test was created.You won't be labeled straight, bisexual or gay.There are 13 true/false questions and very little demographic information on the test.The Sexual Orientation Inventory is a test.Robert Epstein, one of America's most distinguished psychologists, created the ESOI test.The test results show where you fall on a sexual orientation continuum.5 minutes is all it takes to take the 18 question test.
Step 5: Take the time to acknowledge that you have sexual preferences.
It is normal to avoid or overcompensate for your sexual desires.You need to be vulnerable and honest with yourself in order to move forward.You can work towards self-acceptance once you stop suppressing your sexual preferences.Sexual preference is a continuum.It is not static.It's more than O.K. if your sexual preference doesn't align with the standard definitions.It's very common and normal.Bisexuals may not be attracted to each other in the same way.They might prefer men to women.Women who identify as lesbians can sometimes find men attractive.
Step 6: Don't let anyone tell you not to love yourself.
The first step in a gradual process is acknowledging that you are a lesbian.Acceptance doesn't happen overnight.As you become more comfortable with your sexual orientation, you will realize that it doesn't define you as an individual.Rid yourself of guilt and shame by living your life unapologetically.
Step 7: Positive self-talk should be practiced.
The morals or religious beliefs instilled in you as a child may conflict with your sexual identity if you were raised in a highly conservative household.Altering your language and thoughts can shift your perception of right and wrong.If you want to believe in your value as a human being, stop telling yourself that you're not good enough.Accept that your sexual preference is natural, healthy, and acceptable instead of telling yourself that being lesbian is a sin.Start looking for negative self-talk tendencies.What lies are you telling yourself?Do these thoughts come from a conversation with a family member?These negative phrases should be replaced with positive ones.Take a deep breath, put a smile on your face and tell yourself that you are valuable, loved, and entitled to lead an authentic life that makes you happy.
Step 8: Do you know if it's safe to come out.
It can be difficult to decide when to come out with potential consequences.If it is safe to come out to your family, friends, and classmates, then you should.Discuss how your parents and peers may react with a doctor.Consider how your peers treat gay men and women.If your parents or peers are hostile towards gay men and women, be careful.
Step 9: Your journey of self-acceptance will have an impact.
It is necessary to accept that your sexual orientation will affect your relationship with other people.Stress-inducing when coming out to friends, family, and colleagues.You don't need to come out to everyone you know.Break the subject with those you feel comfortable with first.Prepare for negative and positive responses.
Step 10: Meet with a counselor.
It takes a long time to process your sexual identity and accept yourself.The social stigma can be mentally and emotionally draining.A qualified therapist can help you navigate this process.The process of coming out to your family and peers can be helped by a therapist.
Step 11: Live your life, define yourself.
The lesbian community is made up of diverse women from many different walks of life.Make an effort to learn everything you can about the lesbian community when you are in it.You will discover where you fit in the community over time.You will define what it means to be a lesbian and live your life accordingly.
Step 12: You should know about the LGBTQ community.
Establishing a foundation of knowledge about the community will help you.It will give you insight into how to overcome the obstacles.Understand the spectrum of sexual orientation by learning how to distinguish between sex and gender.Scholarship on LGBTQ topics is growing!Lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer issues are covered in news.
Step 13: You should surround yourself with people who are supportive.
There is no worse pain than being isolated.It's important to have a reliable friend or support group during your journey of self-acceptance.When the journey gets difficult, these men and women will be there for you.You can trust friends and family.Become a member of an online support community to join a local support group.If you attend an affirming church, temple, or house of worship, you will be in contact with supportive men and women that share your religious values.Gaychurch.org has a list of Christian churches.You can find a list of LGBTQI-affirming churches, temples, or houses of worship with a quick internet search.
Step 14: A Gay-Straight Alliance is established.
Gay-Straight Alliances give middle and high school students a safe place to discuss and discover their sexual orientation.A support group and a social network are provided by GSAs.Establish a club at your school if you don't have a GSA.
Step 15: Use the LGBTQ Resource Center.
There are LGBTQ Resource Centers on college campuses.Students are connected with helpful tools and trustworthy services at resource centers.They provide a place for students to explore their sexual orientation.