How to Accept That You Are Gay

This article was co-authored by Eric A. Samuels, PsyD . Eric A. Samuels, Psy.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in private practice in San Francisco and Oakland, California. He received a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Wright Institute in 2016 and is a member of the American Psychological Association and Gaylesta, the Psychotherapist Association for Gender and Sexual Diversity. Eric specializes in working with men, young adults, and people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. This article has been viewed 879,092 times. If you struggle with accepting your attraction to the same sex, know that being gay is completely normal and you can be proud of who you are by finding support and embracing your individuality. While not everyone needs to know about your sexuality, consider reaching out to family members or close friends who you think will support your lifestyle and can help you process your thoughts. Talking to people who have gone through the same experience can be extremely helpful, so try to find a local or online LGBTQIA group you can turn to for advice and support. It’s also important to understand that you don’t need to conform to gay stereotypes or titles, as they are artificial social constructs. Instead, be genuine with yourself, determine your values, and embrace the hobbies, ideas, and goals that make you an individual! For more tips from our co-author, like how to deal with outside pressure to change, read on.