Whether or not you have come out to your family about being LGBT - lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (having issues or feeling wrong with the gender you were born in) there are many reasons for wanting to move on, including:

• Being tired of keeping your sexuality a secret.
  
  
• Feeling out of place, harassed or bullied.
  
  
• Having parents who have reacted badly to you coming out.
  
  
• Feeling unable to express your true self at home.
  
  
• Needing the freedom to live the lifestyle you want.

These can all make you want to rush to move out. Don't. To make moving out a success it is worth planning it and choosing the best option for you.

Housing options

Affording a place

As well as the options in section 1 you could move into:

An LGBT Friendly House-share - this is renting a room in a shared house, from a private landlord. These are often advertised in magazines, LGBT projects and local shops as ‘gay friendly'. When you go to look round spend some time talking to the people you would be sharing with. Go with your gut instinct about whether you can live with them. If you get on, this can be great as you will have a group of people who may understand where you are coming from. If they are not your kind of people, keep looking.

A Hostel - this is temporary but can offer support as well as a room. It is a good idea to check first whether the hostel atmosphere is gay friendly or not.

Finding a place

For advice you can contact:

Lothian Lesbian & Gay Switchboard
0131 556 4049

LGBT Youth Scotland
0845 113 0005

Shelter's free housing advice helpline
0808 800 4444

Penny, 19

If you rush your move you may end up somewhere temporary or crowded, such as:

Your Partner's Place - relationships can go really wrong if they get too close too soon and by moving in you might actually ruin what could've been a great thing. You should stay financially independent, so that if things go wrong you do not have to cope with debt issues along with the stress of losing a partner and a home.

A Relative's Or Friend's Sofa - this can work short-term and gives you a chance to get your head together but soon you may feel you have outstayed your welcome. Overcrowding, not having your own space and trying to stay out of someone's way can be stressful.

Moving in with your pal or partner

Being homeless

If you need to talk to someone you can call the Lesbian & Gay Switchboard .

• If you are experiencing harassment you should contact the police, a LGBT project, your local Citizens' Advice Bureau, your landlord (if you are a council or housing association tenant) or Shelter's free housing advice helpline on 0808 800 4444 if you rent from a private landlord.
  
  
• If you are going to college you will find that your student union has excellent policies to support you if you experience harassment or discrimination.
  
  
• Councils and housing associations have good equal opportunities policies allowing same sex couples the same tenancy rights as heterosexual couples so be up front if applying for a house with your partner.
  
  
• Same sex couples are not recognised by Social Security so you need to apply for benefits individually.

Your rights as a tenant

Harassment by your landlord