Dear Pastor,

I am a teenage girl who is living abroad, but I am originally from Jamaica. For nearly a year, I have been struggling with a problem. For my whole life, I knew that there was something different about me. Well, gradually I have come to terms with the fact that I am bisexual. I really do not have a problem with it, because I figure that it is a part of me. Why not embrace it?

I had told most of my friends about my orientation and they are fine with it, but I have lost a few friends over it, too. The thing I am worried about is actually telling my mother that I am bisexual. I am afraid that if I tell her, she would be mad at me or kick me out. You see, I do not want to disappoint her in anyway. She expects so much from me already and, so far, I have lived up to all her expectations, and even exceeded them. I have done well in school and I have stayed out of trouble, and so on.

Well, I need your help. What do you think I should do?

Bisexual

Dear Bisexual,

You are wrong. I cannot agree with you. You were not born bisexual. You have embraced that lifestyle, and that is why you say you are comfortable. However, I know you are not comfortable. If you were, you would not have written to me. You feel tormented, and you believe that your mother would go crazy if you were to tell her how you feel, and what you have been doing.

Now, please do not misunderstand me. I am not here to condemn you. God forbid that I would condemn anyone who is struggling with a problem. What I would like to encourage you to do is to call a family counsellor or psychologist and make an appointment to see him for professional counselling.

There are times when people claim to be bisexual - homosexual when they are not. Sometimes, young people have gone to parties and got wild after they have had too much to drink. They engaged in illicit sex and do things that they would not normally do. Often, when they are told that they did certain things, they would deny it. That is why one should keep away from drugs and learn to protect themselves at all times.

When you go to see the counsellor and he access your situation, he would advise you how to relate to your mother.

Pastor