Self-esteem is vital! Learning to accept yourself is to be proud of your desires and emotions, despite what others may tell you, though it may take a whole lifetime to fully understand your inner being. A good way to learn about yourself is to form friendships and relationships in which you will be able to see the positive side of being in love. Also, having gay teens as friends could help you to have someone to relate to, in both good times and bad. It is essential that you know that you are not alone in the world, and that there are many wonderful people who want to help you. Support groups are good because there is always strength in large numbers, and awareness can be used to educate people. Another aspect of self-awareness is the ability to work on communicating your feelings openly, even though this can be tough. A gay and lesbian advisor stated, "Becoming free of the emotional turmoil allows you to become more productive and creative."

Info that will blow your mind

There are many symbols that represent gay pride in their own ways. Two examples of these emblems include the rainbow and pink triangle. The pink triangle was used as a marker to isolate homosexuals during the Nazi Holocaust during World War II, but today it is used as a sign of pride in remembrance of those who died. The rainbow, created by San Baker in 1978, is also a symbol of pride. P-flag is a group whose purpose is to create awareness and to strengthen gay youths and their relationships with others.

Let's talk about sex

It is necessary for you to know how to protect yourself against HIV/Aids in case you believe you are ready to have sex. If you are a lesbian or bisexual, you should definitely know how to protect yourself from common diseases, such as herpes, chlamydia, and bacterial vaginitis. Vaginal secretions provide the mode of transmission of bacteria and viruses. Diseases, such as herpes, can be passed orally, or through objects that both partners are in contact with. A good precaution against oral transmission is a dental dam - a small sheet of latex that is available at drug stores or clinics. You can make a dental dam by following these easy instructions:

• cut off the top and bottom of the condom
• make an incision down the middle and stretch it
• note - the side that should be lubricated is the side that goes towards the vagina.

Do I see wedding bells?

No. No states as of now recognize same-sex marriages, though some states (New York, Vermont, California, and Wyoming) have lifted bans on partnership. If a couple wants children, they have several options open. These choices include: artificial insemination, in which sperm from a bank or from a close friend are donated to a woman so she can get pregnant, or adoption. It has been pointed out continuously that gay parents don't produce gay kids more than any other parent.

Discrimination in occupations

The military has strict rules which ban gays from the military, but hopefully some day the rules will be taken off the books. Also, many employers discriminate against gays, and may fire them if their sexuality is revealed. Despite these setbacks, don't lose hope: keep on fighting for your rights.

The thought of the moment

The one thing that I hope everyone got from this article is that it is okay to be different. Everyone doesn't have to be the same way physically, mentally, or sexually. It is also important to remember that making fun of a person because of her sexual orientation can really hurt her. Lastly, it is important for you to help out the cause by spreading awareness to your peers. Always remember: LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF!

Books to read:

Two Teenagers in twenty: Writings by Gay and Lesbian Youth, by Ann Heron

A Place at the Table, by Bruce Bawer

Beyond Acceptance, by Wirth Griffen

Web Sites:

The following links will take you out of our site. Use your BACK button (in the top left corner of your browser) to return here.

http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/legal

http://www.unmass.edu/stonewall

http://www.qcfurbal.com/cat/glb/glb50804.html