We want everyone to feel welcome to use sexual health services in Greater Lincolnshire.
No matter your sexuality, gender, or age, it’s important that you have access to free STI testing and all the information you need to have safe sex.
We understand that talking about sex can feel uncomfortable, but we’re a specialist service here to support you. Anything you share with us will be kept private, and we will only tell anyone if we believe you are at risk of harm.
When you visit one of our clinics, it's helpful if you can let the healthcare professional know if you identify as LGBTQ+. This ensures you receive the best care and advice tailored to your needs.
Whether you're confident in your sexuality and gender identity, or you're still figuring things out, we want you to feel comfortable and respected when using our services.
Sexuality
Your sexuality influences who you’re attracted to (sexual preference) and your thoughts and feelings about sex and most of us become aware of our sexuality when we become a teenager. When talking about sexual preference you may hear the following expressions:
- Heterosexual people (also called straight) are attracted to people of the opposite gender.
- Gay men and women (also called lesbians) are sexually attracted to people of the same gender.
- Bisexual men and women are attracted to either gender.
- Pansexual people - are attracted to people of any sex or gender identity. For example, a pansexual person could be open to someone who is male, female, transgender, intersex, or agendered/genderqueer.
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Asexual people do not experience sexual attraction. Some asexual people experience romantic attraction, while others do not.
There are many other ways in which people may describe their sexuality. The above expressions are not a definite list of how someone may choose to describe their sexuality.
Coming Out
Telling people about your sexuality is called ‘coming out’. You don’t need to tell anyone your sexuality if you don’t want to. It’s up to you who you tell, but you might feel happier if you can be honest about who you really are with people that are family and friends who are important to you.
Lots of people that you tell will be positive and will be proud of you for telling them, especially that you trust them enough to let them know about your sexuality. Sadly, not everyone will be so positive and supportive. You should be prepared for some negative reactions and understand that this may be a difficult thing for some people to understand or come to terms with. However, please remember that it is what is important to you that really matters.
The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone, there are lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans organisations available to support you.
Useful links (From the LGBT Foundation)
- LGBT Foundation’s Helpline on 0345 330 3030 is open from 10am to 10pm every day. You can also email helpline
@lgbt.foundation . - Read about other people’s stories of coming out including Celeb stories of coming out and coming out support
- Register for LGBT Foundation’s weekly eBulletin, which is packed with the latest news and events
- Stonewall have a great “Coming out guide" to answer some of the questions you might have as well as lots of information about coming out as a young person
- The Samaritans have a helpline open 24/7 which you can call free anytime from any phone on 116123. Whatever you’re worried about, you can speak to them. This includes suicidal thoughts or being worried that you may harm yourself. If you feel you are at risk of taking your own life, or seriously harming yourself, attend your local A&E immediately or call 999
- SEXUAL HEALTH - SEX WITHOUT SHAME FOR ALL LGBTQ+ PEOPLE - LGBT Foundation
- Stonewall