Dear Ethel,
I am a first year student, fresh out of high school. Our high school teachers never really talked about relationships and identities that weren’t heterosexual and neither did any adults in my family.
I’ve never dated anyone before but I feel like I might be interested in a lot of different people. But then sometimes I think maybe I’m not into anyone at all! I don’t think I’m ready to try dating or go to any of the LGBT groups on campus but I am keen to learn more about the different identities that are out there. Where is a good place to start doing this?
From,
Not ready for love (just yet…)
Dear Not ready for love (just yet…),
Figuring out if and who you’re into sexually and/or romantically can be difficult if you’ve never had a chance to openly and freely discuss the spectrum of identities that exist in this world! For many people figuring this out is a journey and can change over time, and it is totally ok to not know right now, even though this can be frustrating.
There are many ways you can learn about a/sexuality and a/romantic attraction without going to LGBT groups or dating. OUSA Queer Support at the Student Support Centre has a queer resource library. They have a bunch of books and dvds, both fiction and nonfiction that you can explore at your leisure. Just pop down to 5 Ethel Benjamin Place and ask the Queer Support Coordinator or one of the friendly advocates to show you the library. You can borrow books and DVDs or you can cosy up on a bean bag and have a read.
The internet can also be a great source of information (although there is always the risk of stumbling across some not so great information). To start you off, the Queer Support Coordinator has been compiling a list of useful websites, blogs, and YouTube channels. For more information pop into the support centre or email q.support@ousa.org.nz.
Best of luck on your journey,
From Ethel