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Peer Education Program
Sexual
Orientation & Gender Identity
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender (GLBT)
People who
identify as gay have significant sexual or romantic
attractions to someone of the same gender or sex. Sometimes
specific to men.
People who identify as lesbian have significant
sexual or romantic attractions to other women.
People who identify as bisexual have significant
sexual or romantic attractions to members of both genders
and/or sexes. This does not necessarily mean the attraction
is equal.
People who identify as transgender are those whose
gender identity varies from their assigned sex at birth.
This is a separate identity from sexual orientation.
People who identify as transsexual are a sub-group of
transgender persons who wish to physically change their
bodies to align with their gender identity.
How do I know
if I am gay, lesbian or bisexual?
You may not know
what to call your sexual feelings. You don't have to rush to
decide how to identify yourself. Our sexual identities develop
over time. During adolescence young people begin to become
aware of their sexual feelings. You may feel you are turned
on by those of the same sex. You may feel you don't fit in
sometimes. You may also feel confused about whether you are
gay or a lesbian. Some might tell you you're going through a
phase or too young to know what you feel or that you don't
know what you're talking about. That's their way of avoiding
the fact that some of us are gay college students. Our
sexuality develops over time. Don't worry if you are unsure.
If you think you might be gay,
lesbian or bisexual
ask yourself:
Do I sometimes feel sexually attracted to people of the same
sex?
Do I feel emotionally attracted to someone of the opposite
sex?
Do I feel like something is not quite honest or true about
my relationship with someone of the opposite sex?
Do I have romantic fantasies about people of the same sex?
Have I had same-sex experiences that are much more exciting
or satisfying than opposite-sex experiences?
If you answered "yes" to most of these questions, you
have a lot to think about. But there is no test for
certain that someone is gay. It is important to give
yourself a chance to question and explore what is right for
you.
If you cannot answer these questions now, don't worry. You
will be more sure in time.
You and only you know how to identify yourself correctly.
Resources
UMaine GLBT Services
www.umaine.edu/glbt
Counseling Center
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through
Friday.
(207) 581-1392 For after hours emergencies call 581-4040
http://www.umaine.edu/counseling/
Bangor Outright (207) 990-3626
www.outright.org
Bisexual Resource Center,
Boston
(617) 424-9595
www.biresource.org
Campus Pride Net
www.campuspride.net
Equality Maine
(207)
761-3732
www.equalitymaine.org
Maine GayNet
www.qrd.org/QRD/www/usa/maine/gaynet.html
Maine Speakout Project
(207) 879-0480
www.mainespeakout.org
Maine Transsupport
(207)
774-7029
http://members.tripod.com/TransSupport/
www.outright.org
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