Friends are a really important part of most teens' lives. But while friendship can be a tricky thing for anyone to navigate, for lesbian and gay teens there might be additional concerns. For example, what should you do about a crush on a same sex friend and how you should handle a friend who isn't comfortable with your sexual orientation?
1. What's It Like Coming Out to Friends
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Coming out to friends can be a big deal and a lot of gay teens are worried about how to come out to people they might share almost everything else with. In fact, a reader actually posted a poll on the Gay Teens forum asking who GLBT teens came out to first. Though the majority of respondents hadn't told anyone yet, a lot of those who had come out to friends had a positive experience.
2. Will My Friends Treat Me Differently After I Come Out?
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You might already have an idea of how your friends would react. If they make homophobic remarks and seem really hostile to GLBT issues then obviously you will feel less safe coming out to them. It's also possible that a friend who seems open-minded might get uncomfortable when you come out. On the other hand, the friend you always thought was a bit of a buffoon might turn out to be completely supportive. Here are some tips for coming out to friends.
3. I'm a Guy and I Have a Crush on My Straight Friend
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It is really common for GLBT teens to have feelings for their friends, but what do you do if you are gay and have a straight crush? Here a teen asks how to deal with his feelings for a guy he calls "one of the most popular guys in school."
4. I'm a Straight Girl with a Boyfriend, But I Have a Crush on My Best Friend
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Having a crush on a friend can be pretty confusing. That's even more true if you have always considered yourself straight. Here a girl wants to know what to do about her crush on her best friend. Complicating matters? She also has a boyfriend.
5. Gay/Straight Alliances: A Great Resource for GLBT Teens & Their Straight Friends
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GSAs began to emerge in the 1990s as a way for GLBT teens and their allies to connect, find support and provide education. Getting someone involved with a GSA (whether they are gay or straight) is a great way to connect with a friend and increase his or her knowledge about issues you face every day.
6. What You Can Do About Homophobic Friends
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A lot of teens have them, the homophobic friends who casually dismiss things they don't like by saying, "that's so gay," or who refer to gay people using offensive terms. So what should you do about that? Sure you could choose not to be friends anymore, and that's what a lot of people do. But sometimes that doesn't always make sense. Here are some additional options.
7. Make Gay Friends
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A big concern for a lot of gay teens is meeting people for dating and relationships. But plenty of GLBT teens also want make gay friends who will understand what they are going through. Getting involved with a gay / straight alliance or finding a gay youth group are good places to start. Here is more information on those options as well as a few others.
