What Does It Mean to Be Gay?

Males who call themselves gay are sexually attracted to and fall in love with other males. Their sexual feelings toward males are normal and natural for them. These feelings emerge when they are boys, and the feelings continue throughout life. Although some gay men may also be attracted to women, they usually say that their attraction to men is stronger and more important to them. Some experts estimate that about one in 10 people in the world may be gay or lesbian (lesbians are females who are attracted to other females.) This means that in any large group of people, there are usually several gay or lesbian people present. However, no one can tell whether someone is gay unless he or she wants it known. Gay people blend right in with other people, but they often feel different from other people. Gay teenagers may not be able to specify just why they feel different. They may notice that all of the guys they know seem to be attracted to girls. So, gay teens don’t always know where they fit in, and they may not feel comfortable talking with adults about their feelings Continue reading