At what age do kids know they're gay?

[Anonymous]

What signs do they exhibit?

[Anonymous]

This is not a universal thing.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the kid. Some know quite young. Others keep changing their minds throughout adolescence (my kid anyway). Are there specific signs you're noticing, OP?

[Anonymous]

Sexuality can and may be fluid. There are no hard and fast rules. "Gay" is not defined by effeminate behavior in boys and masculine behavior in girls. It is a sexual preference.

Some adolescents go through questioning of sexuality. Some continue to explore throughout their lives. I know of people that have married one gender and then gone on to another. I know people who are "purely" homo or hetero sexual and have "always" known what side of the fence their on.

Sexuality is not something that can be neatly packaged, as much as it seems easier to do so. Don't worry about the when's and what's of your child's sexuality. Accept them for who they are... When the time comes, if they know that you will accept them no matter what, they'll open up to you.

[Anonymous]

^they're, not their.

[Anonymous]

When did you know that you were straight? I'm not being snarky. Kids come into an awareness of romantic/sexual interests at different ages. I had my first crush in 4th grade. My husband reports having his first crush in K.

[Anonymous]

Usually sometime between 3 and 60.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What signs do they exhibit?

My mom knew my best pal was gay when he was 5.
Parents were in denial for much of his life.

drag queen gay eventually

[Anonymous]

I was slow and not particularly mature and didn't get an inkling until I was 19, and even then it took me a couple years to figure it out and finally come out. Absolutely no signs beforehand, everyone was surprised, myself included. Some people have always known, others come out when they're 14, others switch back and forth. For some it's obvious, but that's not always the case. Probably depends on one's situation too - my friends were all straight girls who weren't particularly interested in relationships, so it was never a big part of my life and I never really needed to think about it until I actually fell in love with a girl.

What you can do is model acceptance and openness, not just towards gay couples but as a general attitude. Keep the communication lines open and listen, and if it's there, it'll come out eventually (sorry, bad pun )!

[Anonymous]

The signs are getting the Gay Package in the mail from the Godfather of Gay, Elton John. It gives kids their membership pin and rules of gayness.

[Anonymous]

I knew when I was 12. Had words for it by 14.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The signs are getting the Gay Package in the mail from the Godfather of Gay, Elton John. It gives kids their membership pin and rules of gayness.

Don't forget the toaster oven that lesbians get when they recruit someone successfully!

[Anonymous]

Read some John Irving. I like "In one Person"
(but doesn't everyone love the World according to Garp?)

I do think there is too much pressure on kids in high school to pick a team now and days. Although I think the accepting of gays is great in most high schools - I almost feel that there is not enough just to let the kids just be their normal lost souls that high school is (and maybe even college). But, isnt' that what high school is all about - belonging to a group?

[Anonymous]

It is usually pretty easy to tell when they are young. For boys: do they like girls toys? Are they dramatic and whiney? Do they act girly?

Source: my youngest son

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The signs are getting the Gay Package in the mail from the Godfather of Gay, Elton John. It gives kids their membership pin and rules of gayness.

Don't forget the toaster oven that lesbians get when they recruit someone successfully!

Drat. I want a toaster oven, but I'm heterosexual. No fair.