Labels?

Gay. Lesbian. Bi. Transgender. Curious. Grrrrl. Twink. Queer. Bear. Chub. Questioning. DL. Bear. Pansy. Boi. Metrosexual.

What is your label? Is that the REAL question? Or is the real question: “Do I need a label?” We get lots of callers who ask the question: “Am I gay? Am I straight? Am I bi?”  

Many of our callers feel a sense of urgency to slap a label on what “they are” and proceed with life. However, the use of labels can be confusing. Self-identification can be tough to face.

Coming out and identifying with a label can be even more challenging. With so much “grey area” running between each label, it can be hard to identify just what we are feeling.

At the GLBT National Help Center, we are here to help you to chat with you and help you find the answers to your questions. We help people all over the U.S. talk about the important issues they are facing in their lives.

Call us.  Let’s talk.

A Phone Call Away

For one caller to the GLBT National Help Center, coming out to his parents started with a phone call that went like this:

Son: “I have something I want to talk to you both about.  But I’m really not sure how to put it.”

Mom: (short silence) “Then why don’t you just PUT IT.”

Son: (another short silence) “I’m gay.”

Dad: (sigh)

Mom: (gasp) “I knew you were going to say that.”

Dad: “Are you just feeling like you are gay? Or are you living the gay lifestyle.  Because if you are that is what is wrong.”

Son: “Yes Dad. I’m living the gay lifestyle.  If that is what you want to call it.”

The caller said that he was living on his own and had a stable career when he made this call. The call ended by the parents telling him that they still loved him and they would work through this together.  

That evening he called the GLBT National Help Center to talk to a peer councilor about the call and was equally upset and relieved.

By the end of the his call with us, he had not only talked through some of his frustrations, but he also had a list of local services in his town that may be of help to a gay man living alone. 

While coming out and “being gay” is becoming more acceptable for some, it is still a very painful and traumatic process for many. 

 The GLBT National Help Center is here for that reason.  We offer not only peer counseling and facts about safe sex, but we also offer referrals through our massive database of GLBT related services. 

Toll-free 1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564)

HOURS:
Monday thru Friday from 1pm to 9pm, pacific time
(Monday thru Friday from 4pm to midnight, eastern time)

Saturday from 9am to 2pm, pacific time
(Saturday from noon to 5pm, eastern time)