Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Questioning Teens Contrary to what some people would like to believe, adolescents do not become gay when they become freshman in college and move away from home. In their work with gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning youth, many professionals have found that most adolescents become aware of their feelings in middle school. This is a subject that is almost never discussed within the family or classroom. This is a time that your own feelings regarding sexuality need to be very clear. Your nonverbal communication will be more powerful than your verbal communication and your attitude can open or forever close the subject with your adolescent.
Adolescents can suffer quietly because sexual orientation is tied to self-esteem.
As a parent, you must recognize that adolescents' sexuality embraces much more than the physical acts of sex and the development of their bodies. It also includes how their bodies respond sexually and how they feel about those responses. It includes what they think is right and wrong related to sexuality. Decision making and moral development are clearly intertwined at this juncture. There will be a lot of confusing questions because sexuality is generally a subject that produces a certain amount of anxiety when initially discussed.