Sexual health is about looking after yourself and others. This means enjoying the sexual activity you want, safely, without causing you or anyone else any suffering, either physical or mental. It is not just about using contraception or avoiding infections.

What is Lesbian, gay, bisexual and heterosexual?

Gay is a word that people use to describe people who are sexually or romantically attracted to people of the same sex. Gay can apply to men or women.

Lesbian is word that is specifically used to describe women who are sexually and romantically attracted to other women.

Bisexual is word used to describe people who are attracted to people of both sexes. Bisexual applies to both men and women.

Heterosexual is a word used to describe people who are attracted to people of the opposite sex.

How you label yourself is not that important, what is important is that you are comfortable in your own sexuality. There are no rules or laws stating that you have to be one thing or the other. What counts is that you have the relationships that make you happy; this could be with a man, women or both. You decide and don't let others push you into anything that you are not comfortable with.

The difference between gender, your sex and sexuality

Gender is about who you are and the way you behave and identify with other people. This can also be influenced by other people's expectations of you. For example people expect you to behave differently if you are a man or woman, boy or a girl. Most people identify as the gender usually associated with their biological sex. Some people do not, and sometimes these people may identify as trans, transexual, transgender or genderqueer.

Sex refers to our biological differences; chromosomes, hormonal profiles, internal and external sex organs. Some people can and do choose to alter these biological differences, transexuals for example.

Sexuality is defined by who you are sexually and romantically attracted to, so that could mean lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual.

Being Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual (LGB)

Society expects people to be heterosexual despite the fact that statistically over 1 in 10 people will be gay, lesbian or bisexual. That means there are probably half a million gay, lesbian and bisexual people living in Scotland.

Despite this there are strong messages of disapproval that we pick up about LGB people from a very young age. This means that for most LGB people there can be a long period from realising you are LGB to actually telling anyone else about it or doing anything about it.

When someone who is LGB tells another person about it this is often known as "coming out". Many people don't come out because they are scared that they will be rejected by friends and family or lose their job. Sadly for some people this can actually be true. For some people this fear is so intense that they pretend to lead heterosexual lives well into adulthood and might even get married and have children to cover up that they are LGB.

People who are gay can grow up with a sense of low self esteem and low expectations of what they are entitled to. The good news is that society is starting to change and be a bit more welcoming of people who are lesbian gay and bisexual but these changes are happening very slowly and with some resistance.
Many people who do come out report a great sense of relief and a feeling of how great it is to be honest about who they are.

People who have come out often find it much easier to meet partners and enter into relationships. They might start to use the gay scene, which is usually made up of pubs and clubs as a place to meet other gay people. There are also support groups available to help people come to terms with their identity or through coming out.

If you are not gay the important thing is to remember not to assume that everyone you know is heterosexual and think about how you might support a friend or family

coming out

Coming out is about accepting your own sexuality and feeling comfortable and confident about telling people that are close to you that you are lesbian, gay or bisexual.

There are no rules about when you should do this; some people come out when they are in their teens others after they have drawn their pension. You decided when the time is right for you. Everybody should be able to enjoy the kind of relationship that makes them happy.

Your sexual identity is unique to you. It depends on your personality, your likes and dislikes. It's not just about saying you are lesbian, gay or bisexual, understanding your own sexual identity is more than that. It involves finding out what you are looking for in a partner, deciding what kind of people you are compatible with, working out what you want from a relationship and who you want to be with.

Being honest and open about who you find attractive is important if you want to feel good about your self. This is the first step towards coming out. This can be a difficult and very confusing time so it is important that you have the right support. There are a number of organisations and groups that you can contact for advice and support; these are included in the contact list.

Remember, your sexual identity is only part of your personality. Deciding that you are lesbian, gay or bisexual or straight does not change who you are. The most important thing is that you are happy healthy and able to be your self.

the british law on homosexuality

The age of consent is the youngest age at which sex is legal. Homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK in 1967, and in Scotland in 1980, and the homosexual age of consent has been lowered from 21 to 18 in 1994 and now to 16 in the year 2000 (the same age as for sex between men and women).

For updates on the laws and homosexuality and other issues see:
The equality network website. www.equality-network.org
The Equality Network campaigns for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in Scotland.
Beyond Barriers website. www.beyondbarriers.org.uk
Beyond barriers challenges discrimination and prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and other excluded groups?

transgender

This is an inclusive umbrella term used to describe a diversity of gender identity and expression; the main are transvestite and transsexuals. Transvestite refers to people who dress in clothing that is usually associated with people of the opposite sex. Transsexual refers to people who are born into the wrong physical sex, i.e. a female person born in the body of a male. Click here for more information on being gay, lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual page.

The sexual health needs of transgender people are often ignored, due to a lack of knowledge and information, and all of the focus tends to be on 'gender identity issues'. However, transgender people can also be lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual, just like everyone else, and deserve informed and appropriate sexual health services.

Statistics show that around 50% of transsexual women (male to female) are lesbian or bisexual and around 35% of transsexual men (female to male) are gay or bisexual men.

If you are transgender and accessing a sexual health service, a great deal of sensitivity is required with regards to issues around your body image. If you are transsexual you should be acknowledged in your true gender and any referrals made should be appropriate, e.g. trans women should be referred to well women clinics. It is important that you get the service you want and that your needs are met. There are a number of GUM services in Ayrshire that you can access. Alternatively there is a specialist Gender Identity Clinic at the Sandyford Initiative in Glasgow with a consultant gender specialist, a nurse and a counsellor. There is also a Transgender Support Group at the Sandyford Initiative twice a month. This and other specialist services are listed below.

The Gender Clinic
The Sandyford Initiative, 6 Sandyford Place, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G3 7NB
Tel: 0141 211 8137
www.sandyford.org

Crosslynx
Crosslynx is the Glasgow and West of Scotland's support group for Transvestites, Transsexuals and Transgendered people, based in Glasgow city centre.
www.crosslynx.org.uk

Gender Trust
The Gender Trust, the only Registered Charity in the United Kingdom which specifically helps adults who are Transsexual, Gender Dysphoric or Trangenderist i.e. those who seek to adjust their lives to live as women or men, or to come to terms with their situation despite their genetic background.
www.gendertrust.org.uk

Depend
We are a voluntary organisation whose aim is to provide support, advice and information for anyone who knows, or is related to, a transsexual person in the UK.
www.depend.org.uk

West Lothian Transgender Support Group
The group is designed to offer a place for TV and TS individuals in Scotland, along with their partners and families, to meet and talk about issues that may be of concern to them and to have the chance to relax in a friendly and secure environment.
www.westlothiantsg.co.uk

HIV Wakeup

HIV Wake Up provides information and advice on HIV testing and HIV services.
www.hiv-wakeup.org.uk