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How do I know if I'm gay, lesbian, or bisexual?

303 Answers
Last Updated: 07/14/2021 at 10:14pm
How do I know if I'm gay, lesbian, or bisexual?
★ This question about LGBTQ+ Issues was starred by a moderator on 5/12/2016.
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
July 9th, 2015 1:01pm
Feeling attraction to the same sex can indicate that you are gay or lesbian, if you are bisexual, you will feel attraction to both sex.
TransMan1115
July 9th, 2015 7:35pm
It depends on which gender you find you are more sexually attracted to, it doesn't matter what age you are, you don't even need to put a label on your sexuality, unless you think you need to
dreamwithmelovers31
July 10th, 2015 2:25am
you just know. hell. i have known since forever. but coming out is a different story !!! that can be really hard !
Anonymous
July 10th, 2015 5:35am
I figured it out by being attracted to specific people. But knowing the options also helps, to not be in denial - and there are many more than just hetero-, homo- and bisexual. I identify as pansexual because after many crushes and two romantic relationships, I realized the person's identity or biological gender are irrelevant to my feelings for them.
YuyaPanda
July 10th, 2015 3:51pm
You have to take your time and think things through thoroughly. You could start off by asking yourself questions or imagining a situation. It could first involve a girl and then boy. Then you can see which ones feels better and who you are more comfortable with. E.g, imagine kissing a boy and then imagine kissing a girl, which one are you more comfortable with? Or another option could be that you experience things with both boys and girls and see which gender you feel better/more comfortable with.
Devoncares
July 10th, 2015 4:37pm
Well, this is really something only you can determine. In order to find out look at the people you've been attracted to in the past, and see, are they consistently male, female, both, or other genders? Once you figure that out you can determine what label to use!
Fcxp
July 10th, 2015 7:54pm
Many other people don’t discover their attractions until later in adolescence and some not even into adulthood. If you’re feeling confused, you’re not alone. It isn’t unusual to feel attracted to someone you’re close to or admire, like a close friend or a great teacher. But this doesn’t mean you’re gay, a lesbian, or bisexual. You also don’t need to be sexually active with other people to recognize your sexuality. One or two experiences with someone of the same sex may not mean you’re gay, a lesbian, or bisexual, just as one or two experiences with someone of the opposite sex may not mean you’re straight.
Anonymous
July 10th, 2015 9:46pm
If you are feeling an attraction to a person of the same gender as you, then you might be. You know when you fall in love with the person.
Mimigloss
July 11th, 2015 3:20am
Well, there is a site I have here that you can find what you are! Those are not the only choices that you have-just dip your toes in the water of them all! http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2013/01/a-comprehensive-list-of-lgbtq-term-definitions/
sadbutbeautiful1
July 11th, 2015 12:56pm
Well, you may never know honestly and that's okay. Who needs labels? Just be you. And as you grow and mature if you form feels towards a female then be with them regardless of what you thought you were as far as sexuality and same goes if you like a man or any other gender. Love knows no gender so don't worry about how you identify just stay true to yourself!
Anonymous
July 11th, 2015 2:41pm
To know if your in the LGBT community you will have to find this out for your self, no one can tell you that your this way because THIS IS CALLED LABLEING. Be from my personal exercisers I can say its best to try and see you like it. Then you'll know...
YourNotAlone27
July 11th, 2015 6:09pm
Try dating the same sex and figure out if thats who you are and what your truly attracted too.......
Anonymous
July 11th, 2015 6:39pm
The best way to tell is how you feel. Normally to figure out how you feel is by experimenting. That is an easy way to figure out, but not everyone figures out that way.
StevensLion
July 11th, 2015 10:16pm
Gay is defined as people who identify as men who are attracted to other men. Lesbian is defined as people who identify as women who are attracted to other women. Bisexual is defined as people who are attracted to both genders. There is also pansexual which is defined as people who are attracted to any/all genders because of their personality and not the appearance. The only way to define yourself is how you feel. No one else can tell you who you are.
AnonymousJade
July 12th, 2015 6:34am
You feel a special attraction towards the opposite sex. You want to kiss that special someone that you've kept your eye on.
Anonymous
July 12th, 2015 1:20pm
Just follow your emotions and your heart. No anxiety, is our way of being. And before you are accepted, you have to accept the orientation.
SymphonyLing
July 12th, 2015 9:51pm
You can tell by noticing how you view and think about the gender in question. Are they attractive? Do they stimulate you? Would you prefer that gender over the opposite?
Anonymous
July 14th, 2015 8:00am
The question to ask yourself is: would I be comfortable with dating men? Women? Both? Another thing to think about: There are many more genders other than just male and female! to be attracted to anyone no matter what their sexuality or gender is to be pansexual.
iiBambi
July 17th, 2015 1:33am
You'll know when you know don't feel forced to decide. But make sure you are happy with your choice
4you247
July 17th, 2015 12:28pm
There is no rush to force this realisation, when the time is right, you will usually just feel like you know, but until then don't worry over your sexuality, the right time will come for you to address how you feel :) stay strong!
everythingistemporary850
July 17th, 2015 4:19pm
There are so many different ways to find your way and discover your sexuality. I think the most important first step is not putting pressure on yourself to immediately find a label. Labels are entirely okay, and often allow for amazing and supportive communities to form. However, trying to frame your sexuality in a certain way to fit a label isn't the only way to experience it. It's OKAY to not be sure. And it's more than okay to explore your sexuality in healthy, constructive, and respectful ways. No matter what your journey with sexuality is, know that you are not alone. There are others who are questioning in the same way you are.
Destree
July 17th, 2015 10:09pm
At some point you start noticing how you feel about certain things. It happens slow but than all at once. One day you may be searching the internet and see a label that might match how you feel.
jkllama
July 18th, 2015 12:22am
Think with your heart! Think about whether or not you'd want to be in a relationship with certain sexes, or both. Then analyze your feelings towards whoever you thought about, and maybe take the opportunity to experiment with whoever your heart brings you towards!
Anonymous
July 18th, 2015 3:45pm
Do you feel sexual attraction towards people of the same gender as yourself? Then you might be gay or lesbian! Or if you like for example both boys and girls, then you might be bisexual.
Anonymous
July 18th, 2015 8:50pm
You just know in one point in your life. Do you feel attracted to people in the same gender as you? If yes, there's a chance you're maybe bisexuall, gay or lesbian.
KeiSurvivor
July 18th, 2015 11:32pm
You just have to figure it out yourself. Look at blogs or poems or songs about the MOGAI/LGBTQ+ community, it all comes from knowing yourself and also being comfortable with yourself, and in some cases overcoming internalized homophobia.
Anonymous
July 19th, 2015 1:02pm
What gender are you? Do you like people of the same gender (meaning you are gay)? Do you like people of the opposite gender (meaning you are straight)? Or do you like people of both* genders (meaning you are bisexual)? *Please note that there are more then two genders
Anonymous
July 19th, 2015 2:26pm
It takes time to determine your sexuality, and it's tough. A recommendation is to write down how you feel regarding sexuality each day. That may help you to better understand your sexuality!
Oreo
July 19th, 2015 7:53pm
Gay and lesbian define people of a certain gender who are attracted to those of the same gender identity. Bisexuals are people who are attracted to both male and female. Other people do not identify with any of the three, and thus other terms, such as pansexual, asexual, demisexual, etc. are used by some to define their sexual orientation.
CaringAm
July 22nd, 2015 9:23am
Do you in any way identify as male and are you attracted to people who identify as male? Congratulations, you may now identify as gay! Do you identify as female in any way and are you attracted to other female people? Then you could call yourself a lesbian. Are you attracted to more than one gender? You live up to the expectations of what a bisexual is then!