How to find out if im gay
by Fred Penzel, PhD
This article was initially published in the Winter edition of the OCD Newsletter.
OCD, as we know, is largely about experiencing severe and unrelenting doubt. It can cause you to question even the most basic things about yourself – even your sexual orientation. A study published in the Journal of Sex Research found that among a group of college students, 84% reported the occurrence of sexual intrusive thoughts (Byers, et al. ). In order to have doubts about one’s sexual identity, a sufferer need not ever own had a homo- or heterosexual experience, or any type of sexual trial at all. I possess observed this symptom in young children, adolescents, and adults as well. Interestingly Swedo, et al., , establish that approximately 4% of children with OCD exposure obsessions concerned with forbidden aggressive or perverse sexual thoughts.
Although doubts about one’s own sexual identity might seem pretty straightforward as a symptom, there are actually a number of variations. The most apparent form is where a sufferer experiences the mind that they might be of a different sexual orientation than they formerly believed. If the sufferer is heterosexual
How do I know if I’m gay?
Northern, western and central Melbourne is an incredibly diverse place. For example, just under half of the population in this region were born overseas. But did you comprehend that Melbourne is also home to a lofty proportion of people who identify as LGBTIQ+ (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans Homosexual Intersex)?
Yes, there are a great many people who identify as being LGBTIQ+. Despite just over a quarter of same-sex couples living in Victoria, unfortunately many have been subjected to (or continue to face) discrimination and prejudice. Consequently, people who name as LGBTIQ+ have higher rates of mental health conditions, including an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
Questions about same-sex attraction
It is a natural and healthy aspect of one’s wellbeing to recognise and embrace one’s sexuality. It is also perfectly normal when this means recognizing as gay, queer, queer attracted or LGBTIQ+.
For many people, the journey of self-discovery begins in their early teens. For others, it can take much longer. It’s a deeply personal process and no two people will own exactly the same experience.
There is also greater recognitio
How Do I Know If I Am Gay? Signs You Are Gay
Particularly when young, some people may ask, "How do I know if I am gay?" if they acquire conflicting sexual feelings. When it comes down to it, there is no reliable "Am I Male lover test", so the only way to know that you are gay (definition of gay) is to look within yourself to determine your own thoughts and feelings towards others of the same sex. You might also wish to consider the possibility that you are neither gay nor straight and are bisexual or just curious.
There are also signs that you might be gay to consider.
Signs You Are Gay
There is no one way that same-sex attracted people act or watch – gay people are just as diverse as straight people. Just because you are a human who is effeminate or a woman who is boyish, that does not mean that you're necessarily gay. So don't collapse into the trap of thinking that your clothes, hair or attitude determines your sexuality.
When looking at the signs you are gay, you might long to ask yourself these questions:1
- Have I ever been sexually attracted to the same sex?
- Do I undergo strong emotional bonds to the same sex?
- Am I physically attracted to the same sex?
- Have I considered having a sexual relatio
Whether you&#;re straight, lesbian, queer , bisexual or transgender, if you feel comfortable to, you should be proficient to feel confident and proud of who you are.
I keep hearing the word &#;sexuality&#; &#; what is it?
Sexuality isn&#;t just about sex, it&#;s about your feelings, emotions, attractions and desires and how you express these.
It includes whether we&#;re attracted to people the same gender as you, a alternative gender, or are attracted to more than one gender (which is what makes up what is known as our sexual orientation – whether we identify as lesbian, queer or bisexual) as adequately as what we accomplish sexually.
Having sexual thoughts and feelings is a normal, healthy part of human life. This is real no matter what gender you&#;re attracted to. Some people aren&#;t interested in sex at all, and this is normal too and you might then identify as asexual.
When will I know if I&#;m gay or straight or bisexual or transgender?
It takes time to figure out who we are sexually and to understand our gender identity and orientation, just as it takes time to figure out other areas of our lives.
The important thing is to be true to how you feel at the time and to respect yourself and othe
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