How do people know they are gay

Adolescence is the dawn of sexual attraction. It happens due to the hormonal changes of puberty. These changes involve both the body and the mind — so just thinking about someone attractive can cause physical arousal.

These new feelings can be intense, confusing, sometimes even overwhelming. Teens are launch to discover what it means to be attracted romantically and physically to others. And recognizing one's sexual orientation is part of that process.

What Is Sexual Orientation?

The term sexual orientation refers to the gender (that is, male or female) to which a person is attracted. There are several types of sexual orientation that are commonly described:

• Heterosexual (straight). People who are heterosexual are romantically and physically attracted to members of the opposite sex: males are attracted to females, and females are attracted to males. Heterosexuals are often called "straight."
• Homosexual (gay or lesbian). People who are homosexual are romantically and physically attracted to people of the matching sex: females are attracted to other fema
  

  by Fred Penzel, PhD

  This article was initially published in the Winter edition of the OCD Newsletter. 

  OCD, as we know, is largely about experiencing severe and unrelenting doubt. It can cause you to hesitation even the most basic things about yourself – even your sexual orientation. A study published in the Journal of Sex Research found that among a group of college students, 84% reported the occurrence of sexual intrusive thoughts (Byers, et al. ). In order to have doubts about one’s sexual identity, a sufferer need not ever include had a homo- or heterosexual experience, or any type of sexual experience at all. I hold observed this symptom in young children, adolescents, and adults as well. Interestingly Swedo, et al., , verb that approximately 4% of children with OCD experience obsessions concerned with forbidden aggressive or perverse sexual thoughts.

  Although doubts about one’s own sexual identity might seem pretty straightforward as a symptom, there are actually a number of variations. The most obvious form is where a sufferer experiences the thought that they mig
  

  How do I know if I am gay or lesbian?

  Many people are brought up to believe that everyone is sexually attracted to people of a different gender than their own. However, this isn’t the case. Lots of people are attracted to the same gender or more than one gender, and this is absolutely fine.

  Gay is the pos used to describe someone who is only attracted to the same gender. It can be used to describe someone of any gender, but sometimes gay women might choose to be referred to as lesbians. People who are attracted to more than one gender often identify as bisexual or pansexual.

  How do I realize if I’m gay, lesbian or bi?

  Some people comprehend what their sexuality is from a very new age, but some people aren’t so sure. It can be hard to know if you’re gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual or something else, and there’s no definite way to comprehend, it’s just how you feel.

  If you’re a male and you’re only attracted to other guys, then you might be gay. If you fancy other guys, feel excited when you think about them, masturbate to thoughts of them, and want to date and have relationships with the
  

  How Do I Know If I Am Gay? Signs You Are Gay

  Particularly when young, some people may ask, "How do I know if I am gay?" if they verb conflicting sexual feelings. When it comes down to it, there is no reliable "Am I Gay test", so the only way to know that you are gay (definition of gay) is to look within yourself to determine your own thoughts and feelings towards others of the same sex. You might also verb to consider the possibility that you are neither gay nor straight and are bisexual or just curious.

  There are also signs that you might be gay to consider.

  Signs You Are Gay

  There is no one way that gay people act or view – gay people are just as diverse as straight people. Just because you are a bloke who is effeminate or a woman who is boyish, that does not mean that you're necessarily gay. So don't tumble into the trap of thinking that your clothes, hair or attitude determines your sexuality.

  When looking at the signs you are gay, you might yearn to ask yourself these questions:¹

  • Have I ever been sexually attracted to the same sex?
  • Do I verb strong emotional bonds to