Here is our first special discussion activity! Tagging those members who high fived the post above! @Claire-RO @Tiny_leaf @WheresMySquishy    Special Discussion Part 1: What is bisexuality?     The Bisexual Resource Centre defines bisexuality broadly as ‘people who experience physical, emotional, sexual, and romantic attraction to people of more than one gender’. The term has become an umbrella for a few different orientations, including pansexual, omnisexual and sexually fluid.  Identifying as bisexual doesn’t mean you have to have sexual or romantic experiences with multiple genders – just being attracted is enough.    The bisexual community faces a lot of misunderstanding – from the straight and queer communities equally. In fact, the bisexual community faces higher rates of anxiety and depression than the straight, gay and lesbian communities. Some of the misunderstandings come down to the different ways people define and understand bisexuality. T here are a few myths about what it really means to be bisexual. So, let’s break them down and debunk them once and for all.   Debunking the myths: Bisexuality isn’t ‘just a phase’: While your sexual identity may change over the course of your life, nothing is ever ‘just a phase’. Sexual identities aren’t fixed, and changing who you’re attracted to doesn’t erase who you were before. Bisexual people aren’t 'just indecisive': Identifying as bisexual doesn’t mean you can’t decide whether you’re gay, lesbian or straight.  Bisexuality isn’t easier than being gay or lesbian: The challenges that face the bisexual community are unique, we will talk about some of the challenges later in this special discussion. But while they’re different from those faced by other parts of the queer community, they’re no better or worse. Bisexual people don’t become straight or homosexual when they’re in a relationship: If you identify as bisexual and you’re in a same-sex relationship, that doesn’t make you homosexual. The same goes for being in a heterosexual relationship: it doesn’t make you straight. You can still be bisexual either way. Your family and friends and lovers might assume your sexuality based on the gender of your partner, but those assumptions will be wrong. The American actor Stephanie Beatriz explains: "To be bi is a continual series of coming-out moments… You’ll come out again and again and again to every person you’ll ever date…" Check out what she’s got to say here .   A lot of these myths come from simple misunderstandings, or from trying to fit people into neat boxes. As with most things in life, bisexuality is much more complex than that. It’s important to understand that identity and sexuality are fluid and can change at any time – so, don’t feel the need to define yourself and make it permanent. ___________________________________________________________ Activity 1: These are just some of the key facts about bisexuality, are there any other key facts or things that are important to know about bisexuality?  What do you want people to know about bisexuality?  ... View more

Here's the next question for Friday:    Have the things you've worried about changed over time or across your life? Why/why not? Do you have any advice/experiences to share with everyone about dealing with uncertainty/stress surrounding the future?   ... View more

Hi @Brendos94, not a problem for jumping in at the end of the week, I am doing the same!  One of my favourite aspects of the SlowMo GRs is that you can come into the conversation on any day of the week!   So far we have had 4 questions relating to the topic of Future Stress. You are more than welcome to answer as many as you would like! Questions are usually in bold so they are easier to locate      I am about to post the fifth question  ... View more

Hi @Bananatime04 it sounds like you are dealing with a lot at the moment, I am going to send you an email to check in, so keep an eye on your inbox. Let's continue this conversation off the forums and in email   ... View more

Welcome @Zeynd and thank you for making your first post! Getting a new camera does sounds exciting! Do you enjoy photography? I am looking forward to sleeping in on the weekend ... View more

Hi @Bananatime04, Just wanting to second @Tiny_leaf's question, are you able to confirm with us if you are safe right now, or if you are referring to hurt as an ongoing issue you have been working through? Just a quick reminder to make sure to do what you need to off the forums to keep yourself safe too- we trust you are able to take steps to keep yourself safe and reach out to your supports if and when you need them ... View more

Hi @not-an-otter,   I just wanted to check in and see how you are going this week? Was this your first week back at school? Sending our thoughts to you this week     The big thing I want to acknowledge is that your journey is yours and is okay to have conversations about gender in your own time and in your own way Starting that first conversation with your friend was so brave, and I am glad to hear they were supportive! I think @Tiny_leaf's post is also really incredible and I hope that you feel that you aren't alone in the ReachOut community- there are so many people here who can relate and are here to support you     There are some really incredible services that can also really help support you. Qlife offer peer support over the phone or via webchat- could not recommend them more highly A lot of Australian states also have a gender centres that can offer a range of supports, and some are youth specific. More than happy to link you a few I know of  We will also be having a live discussion on gender here next week which you might be interested- it could be an opportunity to ask our guests some questions   We are here whenever you need to chat or write down how you are feeling ... View more

Hi @Bee and thank you for reaching out- advocating for yourself can be tricky, but a conversation I am sure so many people here can relate to   @Tiny_leaf has posted some great ideas here, what are your thoughts @Bee?   You mentioned developing some great strategies that work for you when communicating with the psychologist. Can you tell me a little bit more about how you managed to work in these strategies with the psychologist? Was it something that you tried over time?   I can really relate to that feeling of not feeling ready to talk to a professional about what is really going on inside. For some people this can be a trust and rapport thing that builds over time, for others it might be the doctor-patient power imbalance, or maybe just not feeling ready to open up. Whatever that barrier is for you, we are more than happy to talk with you about ways you can share what you need with the psychiatrist and get the most support of your sessions. Would you be interested in chatting a bit more about where that barrier is sitting for you at the moment, and talk through some ways to self advocate to make the most of your appointments? ... View more

Hi @N1ghtW1ng that is a really tough situation, but also sounds like one that you have really thought over and come to a decision that was in your best interests. There are some great words of support here from @WheresMySquishy and @MisoBear  I really loved this comment from WheresMySquishy " You know yourself better than anyone. If you decide that something isn't for you, it's okay to quit...Our instincts evolved to keep us safe and guide us towards what is best for us" and I truly believe you will find your path too   You have mentioned that it was helpful the last time you had big news to have that conversation with your parents more remotely. What are your thoughts about the way you will have this conversation this time? If having the conversation face to face is challenging, are there other ways you could tell your family?   The decision you made was really brave    ... View more

So many great news stories!    I am a big believer in the power of pets and the importance they have in our lives. I found this great article about a university pairing undergrad students with a guide-dog in training!    Amazing to see some of the great things some unis are doing- this one has benefits for both the student and the puppy!    ... View more

@WheresMySquishy, you have raised some really great strategies around creating a safe space for anyone in your network to talk about sexuality. The point around making sure that the person feels no pressure- giving that space to be heard where you will sit, listen non-judgmentally and not necessarily jump in to offer advice is so important ... View more

I love this reflective activity @Bee, fantastic idea!   A few weeks ago, I was with my extended family when someone found my Pop's homemade videos of all the fun moments of all of the 9 grandchildren growing up- there are hundreds of videos! One of the videos was taken over a period of a week when we had a big family holiday together for Christmas back in 2008! We watched 2 hours of film covering all the highlights of that Christmas.   It made me feel such a strong appreciation for my family and so much love! Watching the video and seeing the smiles on everyone's faces, and how happy they were to be celebrating Christmas together was just awesome  Wishing I could time travel to relive it again!     I am going to tag a few members who might also enjoy this activity    @happycat45 @Bananatime04 @xXLexi_Lou122Xx @lokifish @Esperanza67 @lennycat2017 @Andiamo97 @missyj @Brendos94 @ErinsAntics  ... View more

Hi @happycat45 and awesome work on making your first post! So glad you enjoy the theme- well done to @lokifish for the theme choice!   I have noticed that we share the same pirate name! Looking forward to getting to know you better as a fellow Barracuda Bart  We have a really fun Weekly Wellbeing activity this week, and I think if you enjoyed this theme of the wiggles and it appealed to your inner child you may really enjoy the wellbeing activity! This week we are talking about positive memories that make you happy.   See you around the forums! ... View more

Hi @xXLexi_Lou122Xx,   I am so sorry to hear how much pain you were feeling yesterday. Finding such heartbreaking comments on the walls would have been upsetting- no one should have to read comments like that   How are you feeling today? Were you able to use any self care or coping strategies last night to work through the heavy feelings?   It is really good that you went and spoke to the teachers when you were feeling upset Super proud that you sought support straight away, that was a really great decision   ... View more

For those who would like to see a summary of the discussion we had for this FB live event, this video goes through all the top highlights!     A huge thank you again to our amazing panel!! ... View more

The ReachOut team are so excited to share this incredible moment with you all- here are a few pics from our recent staff meeting where we celebrated reaching 10,000 members!     A HUGE thank you to all of our incredible community from the team at ReachOut!   The Online Community Team reflected on some of our highlights in the forums community. One theme that really shone through was the courage and strength of our community members to share their stories, and the compassion we see from those who offer others support! All the feels!   Thank you for continuing to be the incredibly supportive, kind hearted, fun and welcoming members that make this community special    ... View more

Hi @Esperanza67, I am sure there are a lot of our forum members can also relate I am also looking forward to hearing from other members too. What are your thoughts about the last question @Esperanza67 - How can you create a safe environment for others around you to talk about sexuality? ... View more

Hi @Saltwaterdreamtime,   I am just catching up on this thread since we last spoke on Monday. I am hearing these last few days have been really tough- you have been doing so much to stay on top of work, support your brother, and trying to find time for yourself, it is completely understandable that you have felt anxious and I am truly sorry to hear how painful this week has been     From discussions we have had the last few months, I want to acknowledge that you have courageously tried so many different professional supports, mentoring and have reached out for help to a lot of different services. You know yourself best and and we trust that when you need to, you know what works for you and what doesn't when it comes to seeking help offline     I also recognise that it can feel really lonely when you are the main support for other people who depend on you, and while we are limited by our online service, we want to be a community you can come to to talk when you need to lean on someone. I hope that we can work together to make this a safe space for you, and a safe space for every member of our community- there are a lot of people who care about you here including @MisoBear @Beautifullybroken @Tiny_leaf and the RO team     I'm also about to send you an email, so keep an eye on your inbox this morning :) ... View more

Hi @Vivian13    Just checking in to see how are you going? How have the last few weeks been since we last spoke?     ... View more

Part 3: Conversations about sexuality and coming out   Sharing what you’re going through can lighten your load and help you feel less alone, but it can also feel daunting.    What can I do if I’m not ready to talk to anyone in person? If you’re not ready to have this conversation with someone you know, speaking online can be helpful to engage anonymously with people in the same situation (just like we are doing now!). You’ll find a tonne of people who can relate to what you’re going through.    Do I have to ‘come out’? The phrase ‘coming out’ is often used for the conversations we have about sexuality. Most of the stories we hear about LGBTQIA+ people relate to how and when they ‘came out’ – and it can make it feel like a big event or announcement. While that can feel right for some people, it’s not for everyone. It’s entirely up to you whether, when and how you share your thoughts on your sexuality. Coming out can also be evolving process that may occur throughout your life.    Check out this video from Qlife with three people who share their stories of questioning their sexuality and coming out:      How do I know if I’m ready to talk? If you’re thinking about sharing your thoughts on your sexual identity, there are a couple of important questions you should ask yourself first: Am I ready? Do you really feel like the time is right for you to do this, or are you reacting to pressure from the outside? Will I be safe?  Do I have someone I trust enough to tell? The first time you have this conversation with someone could be hard. It should be with someone you trust completely. Do I feel good about the decision?  It may feel you can only share with others and talk about your sexuality when you are 100% sure, however in reality it is a process that may change many times. No matter where you are at on the journey of questioning your sexuality, it is okay to share your thoughts about your sexuality before you are 100% sure. It is your choice when and how you talk about sexuality.    I’m ready to talk – but how do I actually have the conversation? If you’re ready to come out or invite in, ReachOut has some resources on how to have the conversation here. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to these things, so what has worked for other people may not work for you. It’s up to you to find your own way of handling it – to decide what it means for your life and how you eventually choose to identify. There’s no right or wrong way to be you, and you’re now well on your way to celebrating what makes you unique!    Activity 3: Have you had a conversation about sexuality? What worked or didn’t work?  How can you create a safe environment for others around you to talk about sexuality?   ... View more

I have really loved reading through all the posts in this thread so far! Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences so far! I have been catching up on the posts from @not-an-otter @Esperanza67 @Tiny_leaf and @WheresMySquishy last week   Today we are posting the last activity for our special discussion on sexuality! ... View more

I am sorry to hear you don't have anyone around to support you at the moment What are your plans for today? ... View more

Such a great idea @WheresMySquishy! Word clouds are a really beautiful way to represent the affirmations you have identified ... View more

I am proud that I prioritised my self care and well-being last night, and said no to plans to rest/have an early night ... View more

I am looking forward to having dinner with a friend tonight ... View more

Hi @Saltwaterdreamtime  Just checking in- how are you feeling today? It sounds like last night was a challenging one Were you able to try any strategies, speak to someone or do some self care to help manage the anxious feelings? ... View more

Hi @KayBee,   @Tiny_leaf has offered some lovely words of support and a really great referral, I would love to hear your thoughts on some of the questions in Tiny_Leaf's post.    The step you have taken today to openly, honestly and courageously share your experiences is really incredible, and I want to acknowledge that the decision to post here would not have been an easy one We are very grateful you have reached out to ask for help and start a conversation about the experiences you have had these last couple of years, and how you are coping.   You have mentioned having an experience of assault- I am wondering if you have spoken to anyone about this before? To echo @Tiny_leaf's comment, you deserve every support to help you come through this- we definitely hold this hope with you You have also mentioned that alcohol has been something you have turned to to cope when things get tough, have you sought support after hospital for alcohol use?   If you ever need someone to talk to, I would really highly recommend BlueKnot's helpline which is a trauma safe and supportive service, as well as 1800 RESPECT  Thank you for reaching out and putting your trust in this community to talk about the difficult experiences you are having- we are around to talk whenever you need us ... View more

Hi @Bento,   I am sorry to hear that you are feeling supported to pursue your dreams. It sounds like studying game design is something you are really passionate about, and I can imagine it would have been such a shock to hear that some of the assessments were missed   You have mentioned a few different studying options and units you are interested in. Just wanting to clarify, at the moment is it the lack of support and concerns from others that has led to questioning your choice to study?   The feeling of disappointment and heartbreak that comes with others not supporting your dreams is really tough to carry. Can you tell us a little bit more about the people in your life? Of those you speak to, is there someone who is more supportive than others?   So many members here can relate to feeling uncertain with what the future will hold, and the stress and courage of chasing their dreams. You are not alone, and we are here to listen and support you whenever you need a non-judgmental and open space to share your thoughts and dreams   ... View more