At school or at work I keep my sexual orientation a secret but constantly fear being fired, expelled or harassed if others find out. Sometimes I feel alone because I feel no one will understand and accept me. I only feel safe when I am around others who are of the same sexual orientation. I feel lighter now that I have acknowledged my orientation to myself. I feel good about my sexual orientation and feel that I can enjoy it and have meaningful relationships.
Sexual orientation is a natural part of human development.
It remains unclear as to why individuals differ in their sexual orientation. It is known, however, that different sexual orientations have existed throughout history. Although you may have had inklings of your sexual orientation in early childhood, most likely it was during adolescence that you began to determine your sexuality. Adolescence is typically a period of identity confusion in general and of sexual identity confusion in particular. It is thus not uncommon to have feelings or thoughts about being with the same sex or different sex partner.