Nervous around lesbians?

[Anonymous]

I am a lesbian. Yet I seem to be incredibly awkward, nervous, and scared around other lesbians. Especially if they are attractive. I am totally okay around straight men, gay men, and straight women. But lesbians (when first meeting them)....I become unsure of what to say or do. I forget where I'm going or I become really quiet and analyze everything I say. My face becomes hot and sometimes my hands shake a little. I do have lesbian friends. But it took me a while to become comfortable around them. It seems as though the attractive ones are the people that really get me nervous and scared.

One time this got me into some trouble. I was around a lesbian a couple years ago and I was acting really nervous and probably distant. She thought I was freaked out about her sexuality. I ended up telling her that I'm gay too. She thought I was homophobic but I'm not....well maybe I am lesbianphobic? Who knows. I was so scared to be around her that we ended up drifting apart. At that time in my life though I was just scared for people to consider me gay.

I don't know how to act around lesbians. A woman at a gay club came up to dance with me and I suddenly became very unsure and awkward. I am not as awkward around straight women or gay men when dancing. I don't want this to effect me too much because I do like women. It's just really intimidating to think about a woman who likes women wanting to talk to me or dance with me.

Does anyone relate to this? It may be that I am really nervous around people I like but....that isn't necessarily the case. I usually am attracted to straight girls and I am not as nervous around them. Even to those I have liked in the past. It's just lesbians that make me super nervous. I really hope I don't offend anyone. I am a lesbian too so it's not like I dislike lesbians. I am just really unsure of myself around them.

[silverhalo]

I can relate, I think it is (or is for me) a fear of the potential if that makes sense. Gay guys, straight girls and guys dont pose any kind of potential as in you know nothing will happen between you, even if you are crushing on a straight girl you know nothing will happen so you feel free to be yourself, but other lesbians even if you dont find them attractive or consider them anything other than than friends the potential is still there. I think it will get easier.