A lot of LGBT+ teens want more (or even just one) queer friend. But for a lot of reasons, it can be hard to meet other gay teens. For one thing, a lot of youth aren't out about their sexual orientation or gender identity. For another, just because you are both gay, doesn't mean you and the one other queer kid you know will have anything else in common!

Here is information on why it can be great to have LGBT friends and how to meet them, as well as on what to do if a friendship is actually not a healthy one.


 

Why You Need LGBT+ Friends? 

A big reason that so many LGBT people cherish their gay friends is that it can be really isolating to feel like you are the only person in your position around. Plus, people usually like to feel like they have friends with whom they have some key things in common. And yes, you can have straight friends who share your love of comic books, or chess or baseball or pop culture and whom really get you and who you can tell everything to. They might even be great LGBT-allies.

But having someone who shares something so key to who you are as your sexual orientation or gender identity can be really comforting and life affirming.

When You Want LGBT+ Friends

Having friends who get you is really important!  Much like people who are into gaming often want gamer pals, a lot of LGBTQ teens want friends who are in the same place as them.

Who else could understand the difficulties of coming out, or having a straight crush, or getting a boyfriend or girlfriend, or questioning your sexual orientation or gender identity?

Here are some tips for making more LGBTQ friends

10 Ways to Make LGBT+ Friends

Let's be honest, a gaggle or LGBT friends isn't going to simply appear on your doorstep with a bag of chips just dying to catch the next Teen Wolf episode.  So how do you make queer friends? The truth is you might actually have to do some work.  But the work that is needed is totally doable, even for all you introverts out there!

When a Friendship is Doing More Harm Than Good

Having friends who get you is really important!  Much like people who are into gaming often want gamer pals, a lot of LGBTQ teens want friends who are in the same place as them. But some LGBT youth hold onto toxic friendships because the friend is also and they don't know any other queer teens. But sometimes it can be hard to even tell if a friendship is toxic or not. 

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Having a friend with whom you share something as key to your identity as your gender identity or sexual orientation can be really important. But so can having supportive friends whove got your back and who make you feel good about yourself.  Ideally, you can have both!