Supporting LGBTQ+ children, young people and families

LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and those questioning their sexuality or gender identity. 

We understand the anxieties and concerns that you may experience when you are figuring out your identity, questioning your sexuality or perhaps not feeling at your best it is important to get help and the support you need to deal with and manage your feelings. Here are some frequently asked questions: 

What is coming out?

‘Coming out’ means telling someone something about yourself that isn’t immediately obvious. Telling people can be very different for everyone and it may take you some time to get to a point where you feel comfortable and confident enough to.

Why come out?

Hiding who you are can take your focus and energy away from other important things in life such as your job, studying or exams. Mostly, people just want to ‘come out’ to be honest about who they are, especially with the people they love. Remember it may take you a while to get to a point where you feel ready to ‘come out’, which is absolutely fine. Don’t put any pressure on yourself and come out when you are ready.

How to come out? 

There is no right or wrong way to do it. If you are thinking about coming out then it is important that you find a way that feels right for you.

You might want to consider who you tell… 

You might not want to gather everyone in a room as it might be daunting. Therefore you’ll probably need to do it in stages. Think about who you want tell first, ideally someone supportive such as a friend, family member or it could even be a youth worker. They will then be able to support you when telling others.

If there is anyone you don’t want to know… 

You may want to consider that news travels fast mostly thanks to social media. It’s worth remember that once you tell someone others may find out, even if you don’t want them to. You may want to consider how you will manage this.

Helping you celebrate being you 

You can find more information on support available in the useful websites section below.