Showing posts with label youth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label youth. Show all posts

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Gender Identity Questions Answered For LGBT And Questioning Gay Youth

Gender identity and sexual preference are not a choice. Being who you are, you do not choose to be gay, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual. It's not something you choose. Your sexual identity is a discovery of who you are as an individual. It's how God made you.

For some, it's an easy decision. They feel their identity as a male or a female and feel a strong attraction to the same sex. It's not like they wake up on a Tuesday morning and say "you know what today I'm gay." It's a dawning of awareness. It's like the peeling back of the layers of an onion. As you peel back those layers, you discover more and more about yourself- who you are, what you like, what you don't like, what makes you happy, and what makes you sad.

It's a discovery, being gay or a lesbian is not a choice. And coming from the faith community, it's a discovery of who God made you to be. For some, they feel that they are trapped in a body that doesn't match the person and the feelings inside. These people feel strong feelings from their bodies that don't correspond with outside appearance. The transgender community wrestles with this complex process.

As a gay or lesbian youth, you may have feelings that you don't understand. You may not "get it". You're accustomed to seeing images of heterosexual relationships in society, male and female dating, and you think that's how you should be, but it's okay. Remember, discovering your sexual identity can be a fun and exhilarating process, it doesn't have to be traumatic or sad- you can have fun with it. Discover who the creature is that God made you to be. Make it enjoyable and enjoy life.

You are a gift to the world. You need to celebrate who you are. It's a celebration of God's wonderful creation and you, and God loves you regardless of your sexual identity or sexual preference. Sexual preference is kind of a strange phrase because it is a little more complicated since it's not like choosing your favorite ice cream is chocolate or ice cream or whether you like pizza or sushi more.

It's all about peeling back the layers of your identity and discovering yourself. Life is a journey of self-discovery and knowledge and you can rest safely knowing that God will always love you.

Visit a friendly gay church in Los Angeles. The Good Shepherd Church in Pasadena offers support and assistance to the LGBT community. More than just one of the gay churches in Los Angeles- it's a church for everyone.


View the original article here

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Supporting Our Gay Youth

Walking down the hallway back to the Vice Principal's office, again, for another detention I wonder will life ever be any different. Sitting staring at his lips wondering what he and his wife will do on the weekend (wanting to be anywhere else but here), he is delighted to give me another lecture on how thin I am and whether I will eat a candy bar with him. He fears that I have an eating disorder and is trying to trick me into getting fat.

Sitting in my office fifteen years later I feel relief those days are behind me. You could not pay me enough money to go back to high school or be a teenager. As far as Mr. Jones, well, he was right I had a sever eating disorder and I was not about to give in to anyone and eat that candy bar. After all it was the only thing I felt I had control over.

Most days I felt that I lived outside my body and was so very much alone, and it seemed that my father was the only person that could see through me. He would say, "You are different Alex and this world doesn't like those that are unlike them. Try not to be so different because I don't want you to suffer for it. I want you to have a good life."

I would lay in bed crying most nights hating the body I was in and the thoughts that raced through my head. I could not figure out what was different about me, except that every piece of me felt alien. I guess that is what being a teenager is all about.

It was around that time I knew I like girls but was too immature and honestly too tired from malnutrition to care. However, it didn't stop the fantasizing that went on in my head. I remember listen to my Boyz 2 Men album (I know, I am old as dirt!), imagining slow dancing with a woman and kissing her. It was that feeling that put me at ease, the only images that would relax me. I can't believe that now at thirty I am actually living my fantasy that my dream came true and I have my very own perfect love waiting for me at home.

It was not an easy journey. Coming out has been a difficult struggle and continues to be today, especially living in a southern state in the US. In today's society our LGBT youth have so much to overcome. Risks include gender conformity, lack of support, school dropout, family problems, victimization, homelessness, substance use, eating disorders, religious intolerance, negative sexual experiences, and suicide attempts (two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts).

As recent news over the last couple of years has highlighted, LGBT youth are often bullied at school and unable to receive adequate education. They are shamed and targeted for abuse. They are more likely to skip school out of fear, threats and vandalism directed towards them. Twenty-eight percent of gay students will drop out of school. This is more than three times the national average for heterosexual students. Four out of five gay and lesbian students say they don't know one supportive adult at school.

So here are some things to consider and help you became self-empowered?

Know that being Gay or Lesbian is not a pathological condition (i.e. it is not a mental disease or disability)The origin of sexual orientation is not completely known.Gay and Lesbian individuals lead fulfilling and satisfying lives.They are many ways you can choose to live an LGBTQ life.Unless you have seek counseling to "change" your sexual orientation, a therapist should never coerce you into doing so (it's unethical and you should report them to the board of licensing.)

If you are a teen and living in a home where there is homophobia, here are some more steps you should take and ask yourself:

Is it safe to come out to your parents? SAFETY first, even as tempting as it may be if you think it may place you in danger hold off.Will coming out jeopardize your home situation?Are you safe physically, emotionally, and psychologically if you come out to your parents?Do you have other available resources, such as money and emotional help if coming out changes your home situation?Try and educate your parents on LGBT matters, often discrimination is triggered but ignorance and not understanding the unknown.Get support and find people you can talk too that are safe. Being gay can be a lonely journey, but with the right company can make you stronger and wiser.

The ultimate goal of growing up and developing is finding humanity and breaking down the difference that separate us and isolate others to create a unity and a sense of oneness.

Alex Karydi~The Lesbian Guru

I am an Internationally Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor that has been trained in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender LGBT related issues. I write for the Examiner.com as their Lesbian Relationship Expert and am a featured writer on SexGenderBody.com. My intention is to start a movement towards a healthier and more supportive community! Where LGBTs can find each other, learn from one another, and build a stronger support system. I, myself, am on a personal quest in discovery for a healthier gay relationship and self-fulfillment.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to email me at TheLesbianGuru@Gmail.com with ExaminerQ as the title or you can follow me on my Blog http://thelesbianguru.com/! Are just Join The Lesbian Revolution of Health & Love on http://Facebook.com/TheFemmeGuru


View the original article here

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Gender Identity Questions Answered For LGBT And Questioning Gay Youth

Gender identity and sexual preference are not a choice. Being who you are, you do not choose to be gay, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual. It's not something you choose. Your sexual identity is a discovery of who you are as an individual. It's how God made you.

For some, it's an easy decision. They feel their identity as a male or a female and feel a strong attraction to the same sex. It's not like they wake up on a Tuesday morning and say "you know what today I'm gay." It's a dawning of awareness. It's like the peeling back of the layers of an onion. As you peel back those layers, you discover more and more about yourself- who you are, what you like, what you don't like, what makes you happy, and what makes you sad.

It's a discovery, being gay or a lesbian is not a choice. And coming from the faith community, it's a discovery of who God made you to be. For some, they feel that they are trapped in a body that doesn't match the person and the feelings inside. These people feel strong feelings from their bodies that don't correspond with outside appearance. The transgender community wrestles with this complex process.

As a gay or lesbian youth, you may have feelings that you don't understand. You may not "get it". You're accustomed to seeing images of heterosexual relationships in society, male and female dating, and you think that's how you should be, but it's okay. Remember, discovering your sexual identity can be a fun and exhilarating process, it doesn't have to be traumatic or sad- you can have fun with it. Discover who the creature is that God made you to be. Make it enjoyable and enjoy life.

You are a gift to the world. You need to celebrate who you are. It's a celebration of God's wonderful creation and you, and God loves you regardless of your sexual identity or sexual preference. Sexual preference is kind of a strange phrase because it is a little more complicated since it's not like choosing your favorite ice cream is chocolate or ice cream or whether you like pizza or sushi more.

It's all about peeling back the layers of your identity and discovering yourself. Life is a journey of self-discovery and knowledge and you can rest safely knowing that God will always love you.

Visit a friendly gay church in Los Angeles. The Good Shepherd Church in Pasadena offers support and assistance to the LGBT community. More than just one of the gay churches in Los Angeles- it's a church for everyone.


View the original article here

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Gender Identity Questions Answered For LGBT And Questioning Gay Youth

Gender identity and sexual preference are not a choice. Being who you are, you do not choose to be gay, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual. It's not something you choose. Your sexual identity is a discovery of who you are as an individual. It's how God made you.

For some, it's an easy decision. They feel their identity as a male or a female and feel a strong attraction to the same sex. It's not like they wake up on a Tuesday morning and say "you know what today I'm gay." It's a dawning of awareness. It's like the peeling back of the layers of an onion. As you peel back those layers, you discover more and more about yourself- who you are, what you like, what you don't like, what makes you happy, and what makes you sad.

It's a discovery, being gay or a lesbian is not a choice. And coming from the faith community, it's a discovery of who God made you to be. For some, they feel that they are trapped in a body that doesn't match the person and the feelings inside. These people feel strong feelings from their bodies that don't correspond with outside appearance. The transgender community wrestles with this complex process.

As a gay or lesbian youth, you may have feelings that you don't understand. You may not "get it". You're accustomed to seeing images of heterosexual relationships in society, male and female dating, and you think that's how you should be, but it's okay. Remember, discovering your sexual identity can be a fun and exhilarating process, it doesn't have to be traumatic or sad- you can have fun with it. Discover who the creature is that God made you to be. Make it enjoyable and enjoy life.

You are a gift to the world. You need to celebrate who you are. It's a celebration of God's wonderful creation and you, and God loves you regardless of your sexual identity or sexual preference. Sexual preference is kind of a strange phrase because it is a little more complicated since it's not like choosing your favorite ice cream is chocolate or ice cream or whether you like pizza or sushi more.

It's all about peeling back the layers of your identity and discovering yourself. Life is a journey of self-discovery and knowledge and you can rest safely knowing that God will always love you.

Visit a friendly gay church in Los Angeles. The Good Shepherd Church in Pasadena offers support and assistance to the LGBT community. More than just one of the gay churches in Los Angeles- it's a church for everyone.


View the original article here

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Questions of gender for LGBT and questioning the questions Gay youth

Gender and sexual identity are not the solution. Being who you are, you chose for the gay, lesbian, transgender or LGBT Portal. There is something selected. Sexual identity is to discover Who is individual. It is how God made you.

For some the decision is easy. A sense of identity as a male or female and feel a strong attraction to the same sex. This is not just wake up in the morning of Tuesday, and say "you know what I'm gay today." Is the dawning of consciousness. It's like being peeled back the layers of the onion. How can you peel back those layers, you can discover more about yourself-who you are, what you like, what you don't like, what makes you happy and makes you sad.

Is the discovery, with gay or lesbian is not a choice. And originating in the community of faith, is the discovery of who God made you for. Some feel, caught a unit that does not match that of the person and the feeling inside. These people feel a strong sense of their bodies, which do not correspond with the outside appearance. Afghanistan: transsexual community from this complex process.

Young gays and lesbians may have feelings that you don't understand. You may not "get it". Unfamiliar to the example images move relations in society, male and female Dating, and it seems that this is how it should be, but never mind. Keep in mind that discover the sexual identity can be fun and exciting, doesn't have to be traumatic or sad — you can use it. Discover that the creature is that God can be made. Make a fun and enjoy life.

You are a gift to the world. You need to celebrate who you are. Is God's creation of a great celebration and you, and God loves you regardless of sexual identity, or sexual preference. It is kind of strange sexual phrase because it is slightly more complicated because no such as dialing your favorite ice cream is a chocolate or ice cream or like pizza and sushi more.

Terms of zeskrobujac back the layers of your identity and discover yourself. Life is a journey of self discovery and knowledge and you can rest safe in the knowledge that God will always love you.

Visit gay friendly Church in Los Angeles. Good Shepherd Church in Pasadena offers support and assistance to the LGBT Community. More than just one gay churches in Los Angeles, is a church for all users.


View the original article here

Friday, August 5, 2011

Supporting our youth Gay

Walking down colleague back to Vice Principal, again, its about the detention of another State in accordance with the opinion I will life ever be any different. Sitting, staring at his lips and wondering what you'll do if he and his wife weekend (wants to be anywhere else but here), is delighted to give me another lecture on I'm as thin and will end with him. jadam He expressed concern that despite eating disorders and is trying to prepare the fat on me.

Sitting in the Office, fifteen years later, I feel the State with the opinion of, layoffs these days are behind me. You may not pay me enough money to return to school or to be a teenager. As far as Mr. Jones, he was right, I had bad eating and not decrypted I was about to give them to anyone, and eat the finished. Anyway, I felt like I was in favour of ± that I have control over.

Most days I felt that they lived outside of my institution and so he was very much alone and it seemed that my father was the only person who can see through me. Says, "are different Alex and this world is not similar to those which are contrary to them. Try not to be so different, because I don't want you to suffer for him. I want to have a good life. "

I will be crying on the bed most nights, I was hating the body in and ideas, which raced through his head. I can not figure out what was different about me, except that each piece me felt alien. I guess that's what being a teenager is.

It was during this time I knew, such as girls, but I was too immature and frankly too tired to care of malnutrition. However, the unexpected halt, fantasizing, which took place in his head. I remember listening to my album Boyz 2 men (I know, I'm old as dirt!), imagining the slow Dance with a woman and kissing her. It was the belief that exposing me at ease, only images that would relax me. I can't believe that I am now thirty actually My fantasy that my dream came true and I have my very own perfect love, waiting for me at home.

Has not been an easy journey. Coming out was a difficult struggle and still is today, especially those living in the country and in the USA. In today's society we have so many LGBT youth to overcome. Risks include gender conformity, lack of support, School dropout, family problems, including victimization surveys, homelessness, substance use, eating disorders, religious discrimination, negative sexual experience and attempts suicide (two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts).

The latest news in the past few years has been highlighted, LGBT youth are often bullied at school and will not be able to receive suitable education. They are shamed and referred to the abuse. They are more likely to skip school out of fear, threats and vandalism directed at them. Twenty-eight percent of gay students will drop out of school. This is a more than three times the national average for students moving. Four out of five gay and lesbian students says that you do not know one adult support at school.

So here are some things to consider and support, which has become self empowered?

Know that a Gay or Lesbian is not a pathological condition (i.e. it is not a mental illness or disability) origin, sexual orientation is not known.Gays and lesbians persons satisfying and satisfying life lead.They are many ways you can choose to live a life of LGBTQ.Unless they have been seeking counseling to "change" sexual orientation, although you can never therapist in this way (it is unethical and report them to the Board licensing.)

If you are a teen, lives at home, in the case of homophobia, here are some more steps you take and ask yourself:

Is it safe to parents? SAFETY first, even as incentives that may be, if you feel that it can be placed in danger hold.Coming out would jeopardize Your home situation?Are you physically, emotionally secure and psychologically if you come out to the parents?Do you have other resources available, such as money and emotional help if forthcoming developments from home?Try and educate parents on issues of discrimination against LGBT PEOPLE, often triggered, but ignorance and not understanding the unknown.Get help and find people who can talk, for which they are safe. Being gay can be a lonely journey, but with a proper company may produce stronger and be wiser.

The ultimate objective is to find growing up and development of mankind, and divide the difference that nas and isolating others, creating a unity and a sense of oneness.

Alex Karydi ~ Lesbian Guru

I am an internationally Certified drug and alcohol counselor, who has been trained in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender LGBT issues. I write to Examiner.com as their expert relationship Lesbian and'm featured writer on SexGenderBody.com. My intention is to run the movement towards a healthier and more supportive Community! If you can find each other, LGBTs learn from each other and build a stronger system of support. Alone, I'm on a personal exploration in the discovery of a healthier relationship of gays and self-fulfillment.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to e-mail me at TheLesbianGuru@Gmail.com with ExaminerQ as a title or follow me on my http://thelesbianguru.com/Blog! Just Join The Lesbian Revolution of health and Love at http://Facebook.com/TheFemmeGuru


View the original article here