How to Not Be Ashamed of Being a Lesbian/ Bisexual Teen

Learn to accept yourself. Love yourself and the way you are. You’re unique and one-of-a-kind! The sooner you accept your identity and begin living in that context, the faster you will be able to make progress and achieve goals. Being a lesbian or bisexual doesn't have a look. It's a sexual identity, (unless you dress as butch or femme) and doesn’t define you.

Celebrate who you are. Being part of the LGBTQ community is an awesome thing! You’re unique and one-of-a-kind, so celebrate it!

• If you wish, hang up a pride flag in your room.
• If you recently came out, you could have a celebration or party with supporters.
• If you have a coming out anniversary, and you choose to, celebrate it.

Join a supportive community. Joining an LGBTQ community, whether online or in person, can help you find others who are willing to accept and understand you in ways your family/friends can’t. Besides, you might have the ability help someone else through a tough time.

• The community you join doesn’t have to be exclusively for lesbians or bisexuals. Join a community you feel comfortable in, and see who you find supporting.

Self care matters. Occasionally booking yourself a spa day or pedicure session or having a self care day encourages you to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself. Treat yourself, you deserve it!

• It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but an extra long shower or rubbing moisturizer on your skin after a bath can boost your confidence and make you feel good.

Journaling your feelings and emotions can help you to relieve stress and anxiety building up. Journaling can be simply writing in a diary or a notebook about your day or what you did. Any thoughts or changes you might be going through? Jot those down, too.

Think of your supporters. Those who care, love you, and understand you without judgement. They could be friends or family members. Anyone who truly accepts you is a supporter.

• When you’re confident enough, you might have the ability to become someone else’s supporter!

Affirm yourself. Affirmations can help strengthen self-worth by boosting both your positive opinion of yourself and your confidence. Some examples:

• I’m a good person, regardless of my sexuality.
• I love myself for who I am.
• I am unique. I deserve the best in my life.
• I am worthy of self respect and love.