If you don’t feel comfortable coming out yet, that’s okay too! The most important thing is to come out when you feel ready. If you’re looking for a compromise, come out, but only to your closest friends and family.
If your school does not have an LGBTQ club already in place, consider working with an advisor to start one. Even if you don’t click with anyone in your club, chances are your friends have their own gay friends. Try to meet as many as you can and see if you find someone you’re attracted to.
As you continue to get involved in theater and the arts, look for programs outside your high school to extend your network. Keep in touch with your older friends after they graduate. Visit them at college and meet their friends – you may click with someone you meet on campus.
If you’re already out, you may find that closeted gay teens flock to you, simply because you’re approachable and represent something they desperately want. Be a good friend to them and it may turn into something more. If you’re not out, don’t worry. Come out when you’re comfortable and use this time to focus on your studies and developing your personality.
Be careful when meeting people on the Internet. Never meet someone in person by yourself, unless it’s in a public place. Share your experiences online. Write about your own coming out, your struggles dating in your school. You may inspire other teens and that may lead to friendship and a relationship down the road.
If you live close to the city, try going in once a week to take a class and hang out. The more time you spend there, the greater the chance you’ll meet someone. If you live farther away, plan a vacation with either your family or your friends. Visit traditionally gay neighborhoods, where you’ll sometimes find youth centers that are designed to provide support for gay teenagers.
If the band is a local band, make friends with the musicians. Then you’ll have a reason to keep coming back, plus, they’ll be able to introduce you to their own gay friends and fans.
For example, if you are into reading, look for a book club. If you like soccer, join your school’s soccer team or a team that is not affiliated with your school. If you like to go biking, look for a cycling group.
For some easy flirting, make eye contact, but hold the eye contact a little too long. Get physically close to your crush – if they don’t back up, they might be into you.
If your crush is into you, it’s time to introduce touch. A simple touch can tell you a lot about what your crush is feeling towards you and if you have chemistry together. If your crush is not into you, don’t hold it against them. They can’t help who they’re attracted to.
If your crush turns you down, that’s okay. You may have misread the signs, or maybe they just got scared. Whatever the reason, it’s not the end of the world. Just because your crush isn’t into you romantically doesn’t mean you have to cut them out of your life. If you were friends before, go back to being friends.
Don’t be scared of being alone – it won’t always be this way. But sometimes, being alone is better than being with the wrong person. Keep your chin up. Breakups are hard, but listening to music and letting yourself feel your feelings can make them easier.
