Where are the best places to meet other shy gay youth? A family friend just passed away and I'm very shook up. Are there any chat-lines to talk with young people? To me, young is 30, so if people are over 24 that's cool. Since I am considered old (23) in the gay community I don't mind guys that are 5 years older. Most chat-lines are either about suicide or sex and those are two extreme categories that I don't fall under. I'm just a lonely, shy guy in need of companionship. I'm getting old, so youth groups are becoming out of the question since they're all going to kick me out in a few months.
Signed,
Tim, 23, Los Angeles CA
You’re in luck! In the big city of Los Angeles there are in fact lots of great places to safely meet gay youth, even if you consider yourself shy. I know there are some in the gay community who might consider 23 “old,” but I would bet you that most would consider 23 to be very young—for any person, gay or straight! One thing you’ll discover, as you find your own gay community, is that good people will appreciate all the many qualities a person has, not just his/her age.

For more specific referrals, try Googling “Gay+Youth+Services” along with your city name —“Los Angeles,” in your case. You’ll find many suggestions. In Los Angeles, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Youth Services department is a great place to start (www.LAGLC.org). For everyone out there, a great place to start looking for services is checking to see if your town has a Gay & Lesbian Center. They exist precisely to help people integrate their sexuality orientation safely and joyfully into their full identity. Another good bet is looking up any local chapter of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or checking to see if your school has a GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance). They, too exist to help people with resources, advice and to give them a safe place to talk about the issues surrounding being gay. And of course, you can always call our helpline at 866.4.U.TREVOR (866.488.7386). The counselors have access to LGBT resources all over the country.