Background Information:

What do we mean by homosexuality?
A useful way of trying to understand homosexuality is to see it as a whole emotional pattern that develops as a child grows. It is usually at the early stage of sexual awareness that a child who is homosexual first feels attracted emotionally and sexually to the same sex. Homosexual people are not sick, as homosexuality is not an illness. Media images often focus on the sexual side, and on the gay consumer, to the detriment of understanding the nature and diversity of gay people in the population. The terms homosexual and gay are used for both sexes. Lesbian for women.

What causes people to be homosexual?
Many theories have been put forward, but no one has proved conclusively why some people are homosexual and others are not. It seems likely that the interaction of a very complex set of chemical, biological, genetic, hormonal, environmental and developmental factors, totally outside the control of any individual, is involved. Within the complexity of these theories it's important not to lose sight of the human needs of individuals who are homosexual.

How does growing sexual awareness affect someone who is homosexual?
Given the general lack of education about homosexuality and the present climate of hostility and prejudice, it is not surprising that they may suffer from fear and confusion, and consequently may deny their homosexuality even to themselves. Some may have been aware of these feelings from the age of 11 or 12 or even earlier.

What do gay teenagers themselves think?
Gay teenagers often recall this period in terms of growing unease and feeling apart from other children in a way they can't quite understand. As their sexual development speeds up it becomes clear that this difference is a sexual one leading to increasing feelings of fear and loneliness. Even though the images of gay people they see on television have improved in recent years, young people do not appear to identify with these. Schools are generally not considered safe places to 'come out'.

Will he or she change as they grow older?
This is a question parents and others often ask and may reflect concern about giving the wrong kind of support in the first instance, fearing emotional damage later if the sexual orientation should change. This is an issue that requires careful reflection because of the complexity of feelings and emotions during adolescence. There is always the possibility someone may be bisexual but the number of practising bisexuals is very small. There are some heterosexual people whose sexual orientation changes as they get older but this represents a very small number. Given the pressures on a young gay person it is unlikely that someone who is not of this orientation would for long believe they were gay. What is important is that they should not be pressurised but should have the support of their family and friends in working through the process of understanding their sexual orientation.