Over two-thirds of Americans say homosexuality should be accepted. 

That’s higher than at any other time in US history. And yet, that doesn’t mean that coming to terms with being gay is without challenges. 

Dealing with LGBTQ issues can be a struggle. You need to know how to deal with other people’s questions. How to stay in control of your mental health. 

Do you want to learn more about how to deal with these issues and more? Let’s get started!

Coming to Terms With Being Gay is Different for Everyone

Everyone is different. There is no one-size-fits-all rule about coming to terms with being gay. 

Sure, the average age to realize you’re LGBTQ is 12 years old. And yet, this is commonly 10 for gay men and around 13 for bi-sexuals and lesbians. 

A further 40 percent of gay men say that they were under 10 years old when they realized their sexual orientation wasn’t heterosexual. 

It doesn’t really matter what age you. The important thing is that you accept yourself!

You Need to Accept Yourself 

Acceptance of homosexuality is higher than ever before among people. Yet, acceptance of yourself is always the most important.

You may discover that there are always people around you who won’t accept your sexuality. Even close family may not be accepting of you. Moreover, the LGBTQ community may not even accept you. 

Ultimately, acceptance starts with accepting yourself. When you begin to accept who you are personally, you’ll feel empowered to shrug off the opinions of others.

Coming Out Can Be a Positive Experience

Nearly half of LGBTQ people report a positive experience of coming out to friends and family. 

It can feel like a huge weight off your shoulders. You may experience a sense of liberation from the lies and secrets.

You may consider coming out as part of a wider movement. When you come out as LGBTQ, you set an example for others around you.

Coming Out is Up to You

You may experience a lot of pressure to come out as LGBTQ. You may have already come out to your friends, but not your family. You may have told your siblings but not your parents. 

However, your sexuality doesn’t have to share with everyone. You may want to consider your sexuality totally private. 

You may change your mind after a while. But, don’t allow anyone to force you to come out until you’re comfortable with it.

There are some people who you never want to tell about your sexuality. You shouldn’t feel guilty as though you’re letting down the LGBTQ community.

It’s also perfectly common. Slightly over half of LGBTQ people have told all or most of the important people in their life about their sexuality.

Build a Support Network 

Up to 60 percent of LGBTQ people experience depression and anxiety. This may be due to your experience of coming out or not. 

Yet, building a support network of friends and community is extremely important to deal with the challenges of being LGBTQ.

The LGBTQ community is there for you. The different sub-groups of LGBTQ forget about each other. However, it’s important to display solidarity together.

This may begin your best friend. This is the person who most LGBTQ people come out to before anyone else. Around 86 percent of LGBTQ people have come out to their close friend.

Moreover, your platonic LGBTQ friends can become rocks for you. They experience many of the same slurs, prejudice, and challenges as you. Look after each other!

Do you want to know about LGBTQ affirmative therapy? You can get more help here!

You May Improve Your Relationships

Coming out as LGBTQ to your family and friends can be extremely difficult or no problem at all. Nonetheless, many people experience improved relationships with their parents after they reveal their sexuality.

Around 40 percent of LGBTQ people who have come out to their mother report a stronger relationship as a result. And yet, a further 46 percent say that nothing has changed between them since telling her.

Be Prepared for Another Kind of Pressure

The LGBTQ movement is not without faults. Just as you shed off the pressures of being in the closet, you’ll encounter another kind of pressure.

You may feel the expectations of some people in the LGBTQ community to look and behave in a specific manner. You need to have a particular type of body. Or, dress in a certain way to fit into the crowd. 

Just remember, the only acceptance you need is yourself. Just spread a positive attitude around with you!

Choose Your Battles  

When you accept your sexuality and come out, you may immediately encounter how much prejudice and bigotry there is in the world.

This isn’t anything new. You’ll just be much more aware of it!

Sure, you can use your voice to help improve the lives of other people in the LGBTQ community and beyond. 

This can include everything from challenging people in public when they use homophobic slurs and questioning traditions and institutions. 

You may also join the movement by attending pride matches and being an activist. However, ensure that you don’t exhaust yourself. 

There may be times when you need not waste your energy and time. Pick your battles wisely to stay happy.

LGBTQ Issues and Beyond

Coming to terms with being gay is different for everyone. However, it’s important to do your homework to learn from the experiences of other LGBTQ people.

If you want to learn more about sex and relationships, our blog has much more on this for you to enjoy!