Getting Support

These are some of the areas that the group looks at:

Coming Out

Making the decision to tell others that you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender can relieve a great deal of stress and unhappiness and build self-esteem, as well as help improve relationships. However, there are also risks associated with coming out, and it is important to think carefully about how you could cope with the potential consequences before telling others that you are LGBT.

Friends and family may not react in an understanding way, and relationships can be changed significantly. Having time to fully come to terms with being LGBT before coming out to others can mean you are more prepared to deal with any misunderstanding or prejudice you may face.

Visit Gay Youth UK for further information.

Drugs

Don’t feel under pressure to try drugs if you don’t want to, remember Drugs are illegal and can have a serious impact on your physical and mental well-being, check out the Direct Gov website for further information.

Visit the talk to Frank website.

Homophobia Bullying and Hate Crimes

Being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is not a crime – hate crime is. No one should have to put up with being harassed, bullied, victimised, or verbally or physically abused because of their sexuality. We all have the right to live in peace and dignity at home, at work, at school, or in any public place. It is important that the police are informed of homophobic hate crime, even if it is reported anonymously. If you have experienced or witnessed a homophobic incident, you can complete our on-line Incident Report Form.

You can inform the Police - homophobia is now viewed as a hate crime and is an illegal offence, if you think your bulling as homophobic then it will be recorded as such.

Health

Details coming soon.

Transgender

Transgender is an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression, or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth. Gender identity refers to a person’s internal sense of being male, female, or something else; gender expression refers to the way a person communicates gender identity to others through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, voice, or body characteristics. “Trans” is sometimes used as shorthand for “transgender.” While transgender is generally a good term to use, not everyone whose appearance or behavior is gender-nonconforming will identify as a transgender person.

There is a local Swindon TG Group that exists in order to provide information and help to those who are either confused about gender or who are simply looking for a safe and friendly environment in which to 'dress' regardless of gender, disability, religion, ethnicity or other irrelevant factors.

Mermaids is a support group originally formed in 1995 by a group of parents who were brought together as a result of their children's longstanding Gender Identity Issues. Check out Young Voices on the website.

Mermaids Information line: (0208) 1234819 : Monday to Saturday: 3pm until 7pm only (UK Time), when staffed and answerphone at other times -  local rates!