I’m attracted to a classmate of the same gender. I’m afraid to talk about it with anyone because people might not accept me. How do I deal with this? Can you help me sort this out?
Hiding Classmate
Dear Hiding Classmate,
Thank you for having the courage to seek help! Being attracted to the same gender is a natural part of adolescence. A person might develop an attraction or a strong feeling towards another of the same or opposite gender. At issue here is that society tends to anchor a person based on that attraction and labeled accordingly. It becomes trickier when a person chooses, acts, and becomes who the world dictates him to be based on that emotion. Attraction is normal, what makes things moral it is inappropriately acted upon.
Know that you are not your attraction! Your basis for who you are as a person and as a child of God goes way beyond what attracts you. You are more than your feelings and your preferences. Each person has a worth based on the goodness of God. Each person has gifts and interests to discover and develop, weaknesses that need acceptance, and a purpose waiting to be fulfilled. There is so much that each person has.
Start by acknowledging your attraction, then try to gain some understanding of yourself through it. What it is about the person that you are attracted about? Is there something in her that mirrors your own needs and issues? Once you have carefully and objectively scrutinized these, you might know more about yourself. Look for someone whom you can talk about these things with. A classmate may have limited wisdom on such matters, but an objective adult, counselor, or mentor may help. You can also check out the blogs and videos of www.chastityproject.com.
Be assured that you are loved, you are normal, and God made you beautifully you!
Best,
Dr.Ichel