no lgbt society

[owen123]

I'm now pretty sure about my sexuality, and personally I'm comfortabke with it, however I live I south west london and there is no lgbt group or anything like that at my school or 'community' area. I was wondering if anyone knew any in south west london or new any other ways to have support thanks. Owen

[Mitch]

I live in an area where there are no LGBT services or groups, neither at my school or government social/health clinics relating to LGBT. So I feel your isolation and loneliness but I have to tell you that it isn't all that hopeless yet. There are definitely bound to be some people at your school who identify as LGBT and you may not recognise them at first, because I didn't but around the end of last year (That was grade 10) a lot of my current friends actually turned out to be very open about sexuality and I gained the courage to approach some of the older students who were very clearly gay (ok, so I messaged them over Facebook at first but that is the beauty of social networking!) and we met at lunch, 1 gay guy and his 2 leso friends haha, they're great. Now I hope I'm not intensifying the feelings of your situation and apologies if I am.

Really what I am trying to say here is that, you should step out of your comfort zone, try and meet some new people and you are obviously keen for it with your intentions to find some groups. Unfortunately, there is the reality to the situation and it is just that, there may not be any services in your area. I am not entirely sure if you are seeking support or new friendships or both.
So I'll tell you, before all of this happened, I actually came out to my best friend and she was there for me, so even given the difference of opinion (or sexuality), your current friends can offer some support to you. Although admittedly not the same or as good as what people who share the same feelings as you do - but sometimes we just have to compromise.

But there is the Internet! It's a great way to get support, even if from anonymous people and make some interesting online friends, even if it just words on a computer screen (<- like these ones now ^^ ->) it is still better than nothing at all. In fact, a lot of my knowledge and advice (based on his past experiences) about gay relationships comes from just chatting to an american guy I met online and adding him on facebook (He's 20-25 for those wondering lol).

You will always find help in the most unlikely of places, life is strange like that.

That's all I can offer, as I'm not from the UK. :P

[owen123]

Thanks for your help, when I was I find it difficult to meet new people face to face because I have a stammer, I was bullied for it. (And now being gay, underweight, having a stammer, and being a 'neek') I think it'll be difficult. How can I 'put myself out there' thanks owen x

[Sonic06]

Your not the only one to find it difficult to meet new people I suppose building up confidence will help I find been round my friends helps me talk to other people a lot easier because it kinda takes the pressure of and your less likely to say something stupid.

[owen123]

I totally agree, a good example of this is think is homophobia, fewer people than I first thought are homophobic, but I think people follow a trend. And because of this it feels like its almost gays against the world x

[Sonic06]

We shouldn't have to think like that when I told my best mate I was gay the first thing he said was I already know and I accept you for who you are I wish more people were like him and just accept us as normal humans beings. The world would be a better place.

[Sonic06]

I would totally back you we should be able to live normal lives without homophobia.

[Holliex]

http://www.queeryouth.org.uk/community/

http://www.gyuk.co.uk/forums/

http://www.paceyouth.net/

Try these ^^. I used to be involved in gyuk but it's having a re-shuffle at the moment. The first one is probably the biggest and should point you in the right direction.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by owen123

Thanks for your help, when I was I find it difficult to meet new people face to face because I have a stammer, I was bullied for it. (And now being gay, underweight, having a stammer, and being a 'neek') I think it'll be difficult. How can I 'put myself out there' thanks owen x

I believe I have Asperger's Syndrome and it wasn't until the year just passed that I actually had a proper group of friends to sit with during lunch, and I've always lacked certain characteristics which made socialising impossible and unwanted (I literally hated people in general as a child) so I am not sure what advice to give, though perhaps you can expand and meet new people through your current friends. I'm really no good in the area of friends unfortunately.