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Many people have questions about sexuality and relationships. Perhaps you're feeling curious or worried about your sexuality. Maybe you've been left out or treated unfairly. You might want to talk about whether your relationship is healthy or unhealthy. This page provides information to help you answer those questions and find the support you need.
Sexuality and relationships can be an exciting and fulfilling part of life. However, we can also have difficult experiences, like:
We can all benefit from support at times. It could be that we're in a bad situation and need help. Or we might want to ask questions and try new things. Whatever our needs and wants, we can get help.
On this page, we describe two kinds of support that may help you:
You can use the information below to decide what support best meets your needs.
QLife is a peer support helpline for LGBTQIA+ people and their loved ones who want to talk about issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships. You can access QLife by calling 1800 184 527, or you can web chat through here (external link).
To find more helplines in Australia, go to the Neve Helplines directory (internal link).
You have the right to live in a safe and welcoming community. You deserve to know the real you and live life to the fullest. After all, you're amazing!
Peer support comes from people who are similar in some ways to those who need help. They could have a similar:
Peer support draws on the power of shared experiences. It can help you feel understood and accepted.
Peer supporters are not traditional "experts" but they have lived experience. Peer support conversations may be more casual and relaxed than when an expert offers treatment to a patient or client.
Peer support is usually brief. It aims to:
If you use peer support, you should keep other supports you have, too. Peer support adds to things like counselling and supportive relationships but doesn't replace them.
If you want to find peer support, you could:
Counselling for sexuality and relationships provides a safe and private space for you to talk and ask questions. It can help you learn about and accept yourself.
Counselling may explore topics like:
With a trained counsellor, you can understand and accept your sexuality. You can have more satisfying relationships with friends, family, partners and yourself.
This type of counselling doesn't just help individuals. It helps create a better, kinder society. It helps us respect and embrace our similarities and differences. Learn more on the Neve page Counselling and therapy (internal link).
Charlie is 20 years old. She grew up in a traditional, heterosexual, strict family. Lately, Charlie has begun to question her sexual identity. Before, she had never given her sexuality much thought. However, when Charlie went to university, she saw people dating other people of the same gender. It led her to question her sexuality. She wondered if she might be attracted to women, too.
Now, Charlie is:
Charlie finds a qualified counsellor who specialises in helping LGBTQIA+ people. They discuss her thoughts and emotions in a safe, non-judgmental way. She also attends LGBTQIA+ support groups and events. Charlies identifies as bisexual. She understands herself better than she did before.
It's normal to need support and care after experiencing violence or abuse. Support can help you heal and live a full and joyful life. Many people need time to regain confidence and independence after hard times. Taking extra special care of yourself can help. This section of Neve deals with recovery. It covers things like gaining financial independence and building self-confidence. We share self-care tips and advice about reconnecting to your community. We hope it will help you on your healing journey.
Find out moreOn this page, we get comfy with gender and sexuality: concepts that can inspire fun, curiosity and belonging, as well as fear and confusion.
Find out more
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