TeenHelp - Being comfortable in my school/Meeting other LGBT kids

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Being comfortable in my school/Meeting other LGBT kids

I recently came out as bisexual to my friends and the majority of them were really cool with it. My huge worry is going back to school in August and having to deal with everyone else. I'm now the only out person at my school that I know of (the only other was a gay boy who just graduated). I'm not sure what to do now because I'm not ashamed of who I am but I don't want to feel that way when I go back to school. My school isn't very accepting and I'm nervous/scared.

Also, with my school being very closed minded there aren't a lot go LGBT people. Our GSA is nonexistent and I would really like to meet more people in my area. Anyone have any ideas how to do this?

Re: Being comfortable in my school/Meeting other LGBT kids

I thought it'd be a huge deal when I came out, too, but honestly I don't remember a single person ever even bringing it up (aside from friends, and not in any negative ways), people don't really care who you are into, at least they shouldn't. If it does become a problem and need some one to talk to, there are several users including myself who wouldn't mind you shooting a PM our way.

As for groups I wouldn't know, our school didn't either and there weren't any groups outside of it either since I come from a very small town. I guess making other lgbt friends online might be an option, if you can't find any groups nearby? Grats on being comfortable enough to come out! :)

Re: Being comfortable in my school/Meeting other LGBT kids

Hey Sky.

When I came out, it was during the holidays, and I worried about what people would say when we went back to school. And you know what happened? Nothing. Nobody even batted an eye. So what I'm saying is, it's probably not going to be as bad as you think. The best thing you can do is act naturlly. If people do start talking, then it sounds like you'll have your friends for support, which is good. And besides, August is a long way away, and chances are people may not even remember, or will have grown past their initial shock, so you'll probably be fine. Just be proud of who you are, and don't mind anyone who tells you otherwise. Your school also (I hope) would have some kind of anti-bullying policy, which should protect you a bit.

As for meeting people, I'm afraid there's not much you can do. Chances are you're not the only non-straight person there, but you're just more open than most. Perhaps some people may take your example, and, seeing that nothing bad has happened to you, come out too. If there are no specific LGBT groups nearby, you could try joining other groups - like youth groups or sports groups - because they're good ways to meet people, and, statistically, some are bound to be 'not so straight'.

I wish you all the best. :)

Re: Being comfortable in my school/Meeting other LGBT kids

Thank you guys!
I have actually found a LGBT support type group in my area and my parents and I are going to check it out next week. I'm really excited!
As for my school having a non-bullying policy, I'm sure there is one but it never gets enforced. I have been bullied countless times to the point when I didn't feel comfortable being in the school and nothing was ever done. I'm still a little nervous about going back to school, but I think I'll be fine. I'm still Sky, I just like girl and boys haha :)

Re: Being comfortable in my school/Meeting other LGBT kids

I agree with what has been said. My school is pretty accepting, but I was still worried like hell. I had previously been very ashamed of who I was, and very scared of what others might think. One night, I decided that maybe, just maybe, things would be better if I decided to stop hiding myself. So I posted "I am bisexual" on facebook. Within 30 seconds, I have at least one or two friends posting very encouraging and supportive comments. I got to school the next day, being fully ready for someone to stop being friends with me or verbally attack me the second I walked in the door. And what happened? Not a thing. All I got was support and encouragement and expression of pride from my friends. That was all. My self-hatred and fear was largely over with. As others have said, it is very unlikely that it will be anywhere near as bad as you think, and if it is, there are SO many people willing to help you. I think you will soon discover that love from a few people, can very easily outweigh hatred, or fear of hatred, from many others. Anybody who hates you for being bisexual is:
A) ignorant B) not worth your time and C) likely afraid that they fit into LGB or T as well. Don't even think about those people for a second! They don't matter. Who you love is a preference just as anything else is. Don't let anybody bother you about that.

Making fun of you for liking both genders is like making fun of somebody for liking both computer operating systems or two different flavors of ice cream. It's utterly stupid.