Sexual orientation is not something teens choose, and for teens who are struggling in families without support or even tolerance, there is always someone to help. Teens can reach out to an adult who will help - a teacher, a relative, a doctor, a clergy member, or a counselor.
There are also national hotlines:
The
Trevor Helpline is a nationwide 24-hour helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. The number is
866-488-7386. There is also a web site for the
Trevor Project.
The
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline can help:
800-842-4564Another resource is Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (
PFLAG) which has great resources about dealing with families.
You are not alone!
Photo credit:
Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com