How can I learn to accept and love who I am when I live in a town where almost everyone is homophobic?

Surrounding yourself with supportive people who accept you for who you are is the key. Even when surrounded by judgement, love and support can make you stronger. You can try to get in contact with the closest LGBT group or circle. You will find supportive people there, and not only there, I'm sure! And of course, you can try to work towards becoming more independent so that you'll have the chance to move somewhere where you'll feel safer and more welcomed.

You don't need to seek acceptance from others. You find it within yourself. Depending on what other people think will only hurt you in the long run. Don't seek validation of your own emotions, or thoughts from others. People can only hurt you when you allow them to.

Go online for help from other people of the LGBT Community or search for a local GSA or LGBT Club/ Support group to get help from people going through the same problem as you. And just remember that other people are biased against you, it is not your fault you were born the way you were and you are perfect and beautiful no matter what hateful words others say to you.

You shouldn't be ashamed of who you are, no matter what the people around you think! Love yourself, and embrace it! It shouldn't matter to you what others think, as long as you are being true to yourself, it shouldn't matter what others think. You be you. :)

Hello! I know it can be hard to love yourself when people around you, judge you. But the way you see yourself should NEVER be affected by others. You are who you are, and or people accept you and respect you, or their opinion is reelevant, surround yourself with people who do accept you. words have power, but you are stronger than them.

I totally feel you! Go on the Internet and look for those who have LGBT+'supportive blogs and talk with them maybe and look through their posts. :)

Dont be affraid of being who you are. You also are god's creation. May be he is trying to bring varieties of colors in life. Keep loving yourself. Everything will be stable at one point but make sure that you would never loose self respect and identity. Be what you are.

surround yourself with people like you, I'm not talking about people IRL but people online, you can find a good buddy on this site :) Also, don't forget that there're plenty of arts LGBT related, you can either watch LGBT films/ TV series or read LGBT novels, photography and music about LGBT are good choices too. Whatever you do, wherever you are, the point is keeping in mind that you're not alone, you can find support not only in people but also in other art works. If you need any sources of LGBT arts, PM me, I'd be glad to help you :)

Homophobia is usually an issue in religious places. If you question your own beliefs and avoid blindly following anything, then it'll be easier to accept yourself the way you are instead of trying to just be what people consider normal. Reading about lgbt+ things online and befriending lgbt+ people through social media like 7cups, tumblr and twitter can help.

Before anyone can accept you and love you, you must accept you and love you. It's difficult for others to see you without self love and self acceptance and then feel that acceptance. They must see your example to understand how to follow it. But most importantly, you are the opinion that matters. At the end of the day, your heart and your soul are what you will answer to. And to love yourself is to enrich yourself with a whole new view of happiness that you deserve to have. It's best to focus on yourself and build yourself regardless of others opinions. You are worth everything in this world. And you deserve to be happy with who you are. And only you can make you feel that love and acceptance.

It can be difficult to remain and it is often tempting to move to the scene in the cities but important to remember that it must start somewhere in these communities. People will surprise you and by showing them that a great person like you identifies as such their views may become more accepting of the gay population in general.

Remember that they don't change who you are. If they don't understand you, it is not because you are bad or wrong, it is because they are small-minded. Remember that there are people like you everywhere, and that your gender and sexuality, whatever they may be, whether you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or anything else, are real and valid. You matter more than what they think of you does.

Remember that what you're doing is right, and perfectly fine. Be proud for being capable of accepting who you are, because not everyone does. Your happiness shouldn't affect others. How could it? They are the ones who are wrong, not you. Because you are able to follow your heart, unlike them. Who decide to hate on others for you not being like them. You were born to stand out, and some people will not accept that. You just have to stick with the ones that do, without changing yourself. Love yourself just the way you are, because you are beautiful. :)

Know there's nothing wrong about you for being gay but it's this homophobic society we live in that is wrong. Have hope in the future, believe that you will have people who will support you for who you are and will help you feel safe. Maybe looking for lgbt organisations can help you find some friends inside your community. Don't feel bad if you're in a situation where you can come out: your safety is important. You'll find a way to freely be yourself some day; I promise.

i am as well a gay person and live in a place where everyone is homophobic and i know that it is hard to love yourself when people are passing hateful comments about things which you relate to or are directly living through but you know deep inside yourself that you are just the best, most beautiful person you could ever be. they will say god hates you, that you are a sinner, that you will go to hell; now i don't know if you believe in god but i'm pretty sure if there is a god they love you just like how they love everyone else. you could practice selflove by looking at things that you like about yourself and ignoring what people say about you. its a long process and its steep but the view from up there is beautiful and i know it because i have been there. and i know that you will one day reach there. stay strong you are beautiful and loved.