Ask Jeff & Anthony

Re: help

Submitted By: The Kurfew Krew
Date: September 23

In Answer To: help (kevin)

First, I’m really sorry to hear that you’re feeling this way, and I want you to know that you’re not alone, even though it might feel like it right now. What you’re going through is incredibly tough, and it’s completely understandable that you’re feeling scared and unsure about the future. It takes a lot of courage to reach out and share your feelings, and that’s a huge step in the right direction.

I know it might feel like being gay isn’t “normal,” especially if you’re in an environment that’s not accepting, but I want you to know that there is nothing wrong with being who you are. Being gay is just one part of who you are, and it doesn’t change the fact that you deserve love, support, and happiness.

One thing I want to stress is that there’s no rule saying you must come out to your parents, especially if you think it might put you at risk of being thrown out of the house. Your safety and well-being are the most important things right now. You’re only a few years away from being an adult, at which point you’ll have more control over your life and living situation, and then you can choose when and how to share that part of yourself with others.

I know that you're going through a lot of pain right now, but I want you to reach out for help because there are people out there who can support you, even if it feels like your family might not understand. Please don’t make any decisions about your life when you’re feeling this way—there’s always hope, and there are people who can help you find it. And even if that negative feelings have subsided by now, you should reach out for support so that you'll protect your "future self" if those feelings resume.

Here's what you can do right now:
Reach out to a helpline: There are organizations that provide immediate support to people in crisis, no matter where you are in the world:

Trevor Project (specifically for LGBTQ+ youth): They offer 24/7 support. You can chat online or call. They also have text support.
Website: www.thetrevorproject.org
Phone: +1-866-488-7386
International Helplines: Depending on where you are, here’s a list of international suicide prevention hotlines that can connect you to support in your region: www.suicidestop.com/call_a_hotline.html
LGBTQ+ Support Centers: Many countries and cities have local LGBTQ+ support centers where you can find people who understand what you're going through.
Find a safe person to talk to: If you have a trusted friend, teacher, or counselor at school who you feel safe talking to, consider reaching out to them. Sometimes having someone to confide in can make a big difference. If you’re not ready to talk to someone in person, there are online communities where you can chat with people who are going through similar experiences.

Explore LGBTQ+ resources: Websites like It Gets Better (www.itgetsbetter.org) and The Trevor Project can connect you to stories, resources, and people who’ve been through similar struggles and come out stronger.

Please, hold on. It might feel like there’s no way out right now, but things can change. There are people who will accept you for who you are, and there’s a future where you can be your true self without fear. Until then, please reach out for help and know that there are people who care about you and want to help you get through this.

You are not alone, and your life is so valuable. Please take the next step to talk to someone—whether it’s one of the helplines above or a trusted person in your life. Please keep us updated, we believe in you and we're always here to support you.

Questions In This Thread

• help
  kevin -- August 21
  • Re: help
    The Kurfew Krew -- September 23

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