how do i accept myself :S

[LateBloomer]

I know being gay isn’t even an issue nowadays. But for me it is. I still don’t feel normal. I can’t seem to accept myself for it. And until I can, how am I supposed to make my partner happy? How can I ever be happy? I know I love him. I know I want to be with him forever and I will continue to be the happiest when I am in his presence. But I don’t feel comfortable being gay. I know I am gay. I don’t fancy women. I never really have. I only find men attractive – that is the definition of being gay, which is what I obviously am. I am not homophobic. I have no problem saying my boyfriend is gay. But I don’t feel like I can call it myself. Apparently counselling will help me resolve my homophobic view of myself. But how? How can talking to a complete stranger (talking about what though?) help me accept myself? I really do believe that my lying to my mum about where I am going and what I am doing most days is the major cause of my depression and low moods. I know I need to accept myself for who I am. I know there is nothing wrong with being gay. No-one will treat me any differently (I don’t think so anyway?). The majority of my friends haven’t. Apart from the lads who apparently think I am going to pounce on them at any minute and who I now barely have contact with. I know being gay is normal. It isn’t something I should be ashamed to be. But how do I accept myself?

Lots of questions in there and I certainly don't have all the answers. But responding to your question about how can a stranger help you with your feelings, I'd answer by saying look at why you're HERE at GaySpeak, asking questions of strangers.

If you go to some sort of counseling, you get to ask some questions and the counselor will ask you some questions, maybe some you've never thought of before. They'll give you something to think about so that you can arrive at you own conclusion. They shouldn't give you the answers but help you to answer your questions.

Best of luck.