The Gay UK December 2015 | Page 128

© nito103 Depositphotos

Being part of the LGBT family
means that it is harder to find a role
model to look up to: while there are
more LGBT faces in the media then
there where five to ten years ago
98% of what we see and hear about
is straight people in straight
relationships. In our day to day life
too: straight is usually the norm. If
you come from a deeply religious
family finding your true self is even
more difficult.
So it is still up to the individual to
develop their own unique persona
and see how to fit your sexuality in
your life.
Finding yourself can be difficult or
easy: it depends on a persons own
mental strength, how they are
128 THEGAYUK | ISSUE 17 | DEC 2015

raised, their family situation and
their support network.
It can be a long journey that takes
difficulty and courage, but most get
there in the end.
The most important thing is finding
people who are supportive of you
whether in physical form or on the
Internet. The difference a friendly
person in a chat-room or an
understanding e-mail can make
must not be underestimated.
The other important thing is inner
strength: when faced with
disapproval and homophobia from
people around us.
5 tips to build your mental and
emotional strength and identity in
the LGBT world: