Same-Sex Relationships / Question
Published: March 18, 2009
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am a girl and recently I have dicovered that I really like my best friend who is the same gender. After i realized this, she told me that she was bisexual. I was very shocked. She has a boyfriend but sometimes we carelessly flirt. Should i tell her i like her? ----confused but curious
Signed: Should I Tell My Best Friend I Like Her?
Dear Should I Tell My Best Friend I Like Her?,
TeenHealthFX thinks that in deciding whether or not to tell your best friend that you like her, that you should consider two things. The first thing to think about is what you hope will come out of telling her this. Are you interested in a dating relationship with her? Are you feeling curious about being physically intimate with her? Do you just want someone to talk to about having this kind of same-sex attraction? What is it that you want to come out of her knowing?
The second thing to think about is whether or not there any possible negative consequences of telling her. Do you think telling her might create any tension or awkwardness in the relationship? If the two of you do date or become physically intimate with one another, will that jeopardize the friendship that you have had with one another?
FX cannot tell you whether or not you should tell your friend you like her – but does suggest that you think about some of the questions we have listed above. And if you find that you continue to struggle with how to handle this, we suggest that you speak to a trusted adult about it, such as a teacher, school counselor, extended family member, or anyone else who you think could offer some guidance and support with this.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
While 93% of teenage women report that their first intercourse was voluntary, one-quarter of these young women report that it was unwanted. 
