How to explore your sexuality

What is your sexuality?

There’s no straight answer (pun intended). Unfortunately, our society is desperate to attach labels to everything and everyone. Gay. Straight. Bi. Lesbian. We like to put people, and their sexualities, into teeny tiny boxes. So if you’re struggling with thoughts like ‘what’s my sexuality’, remember that you don’t have to come up with an answer. The truth is, sexuality doesn’t work like that!

It’s much more fluid and complicated, so no wonder you’re confused. We get taught that everything is black and white but it’s actually much closer to being a mixture of all the different colours of the rainbow. Trying to decipher all those different shades is no simple task.

“For some people their sexual orientation is very fixed,” says Carol-Ann Cunningham, an online youth worker for LGBT Youth Scotland. “But for others it’s flexible and changes over time; you can be anywhere on the sexuality spectrum. Whatever you are, you’re normal.”

I’ve been thinking about the same sex, am I gay/bi/a lesbian?

Wondering ‘How do I explore my sexuality?’ Well there really is no one way to do it. But a start might be to think about how you feel around different genders. When you’re growing up, and working out what you do and don’t like, it’s totally normal to find yourself having sexual feelings for, or being sexually attracted to, people of various gender identities.

Does this mean you’re gay/bi/a lesbian? Not necessarily.

Carol-Anne raises an important point when you’re thinking about how to explore your sexuality: “A lot of young people go through these feelings at some point. It definitely doesn’t automatically make you gay. It’s up to you if you choose to label yourself and there shouldn’t be any pressure to define your sexuality. It’s nobody’s business but yours.”

I’ve developed feelings for a friend, what does this mean?

Sexuality is all about emotions, not just the physical attraction. Close same-sex friendships can invoke strong and confusing feelings if you’ve always seen yourself as heterosexual. Maybe try exploring that side of yourself and figuring out what that means for your sexuality. Is it a one-off crush or a genuine attraction to a different gender identity? Getting on a dating app might be able to help clear things up. 

“Somebody may fall in love with a friend of the same sex but have no other attraction to anyone else of the same sex for the rest of their lives,” says Carol-Ann. “Nothing has to be black or white. No one else but you can decide what your feelings mean.”

Am I gay if I watch gay porn?

No, watching gay porn does not make you gay. Masturbatory habits are often based around whatever sexual fantasies get you going. But that doesn’t mean you’d want to live out these fantasies. That’s why the answer to ‘How do I explore my sexuality?’ will never solely depend on what gets you off. There’s a whole emotional side to the equation that your body isn’t really in charge of. 

How do I know if these feelings mean more?

When it comes to sexual identity, some gay people say they always knew that they only fancied the same sex. Others spend years wondering ‘What is my sexuality?’ It’s natural to want to explore and also to just be straight up discombobulated (there’s your word of the day for ya).

How far you go to work this all out, and what it ultimately means, is entirely up to you. Personally, we suggest you take things slow – maybe building up to ‘bigger’ sexual experiences so you’re never uncomfortable about anything you’ve done afterwards. Safe sex is always important – whether it’s queer sex in a monogamous relationship or at a sex party.

“My advice is to take your time,” says Carol-Ann. “A lot of young people panic and want to know what label they are straight away. But try not to rush. Ensure you always feel comfortable and safe in whatever you choose to define yourself as.”

I’ve worked out I’m NOT straight, help! What’s my sexuality?

First of all – don’t panic. Just because the heterosexual label was automatically assigned at birth, doesn’t mean it fits everyone and that is a beautiful thing. Would you really want to live in a world where Cam and Mitch aren’t a thing? 

Secondly, we have to give you a light warning. Tragically, we live in a society where people get bullied for being different. Being worried you’ll get a less-than-favourable reaction from friends and family about your sexuality is perfectly valid. We're here if you need support.

And remember – these are your feelings, your experiences, your label and your decision about what to do with all that. As difficult as it is, you need to put everyone else’s opinions to the side for a minute and focus on what you truly want.