LGBTQ+

Sex describes biological differences between the female and male genitalia. A child’s sex is usually assigned at birth. 

Gender describes a person’s internal sense of their identity. For example, someone might identify as a woman or girl, non-binary, transgender, a man or boy, gender fluid, or something different. 

These are some words people use when talking about gender identity:

If your child doesn’t feel certain about their gender, life can be very stressful, and there may be times when they feel that they don’t fit in anywhere. Young people going through gender identity issues can experience stigma, bullying, isolation and even violence from others. They might also struggle with difficult feelings and use coping mechanisms like self-harm.

Remember that there are things you can do to help your child and to make sure they have the right support around them.

• Show your child explicitly that you accept them and want to support them if they are feeling confused about, or coming to terms with, their gender-identity. Fear of negative judgement and rejection can be huge obstacles to seeking support and talking to you.
• Be patient if they don’t want to talk about it, and focus on listening and finding out what it’s like for them when they are ready. 
• Go at your child’s pace. If your child is questioning their gender, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are trans, but they may be. Remember that it’s a journey of discovery and expression.
• Find out as much as you can about what your child is going through, including looking at what support is available at your child’s school or from local services. You may need to be their advocate in talking to school, college or health professionals, if and when the time is right.
• Communication is everything, and being open-minded is the best approach. Whatever happens, they are still your child.
• Ask your child how they want to be addressed – whether it’s ‘he’/’him’ or ‘she’/’her’ or something else. If you make a mistake, correct yourself or allow yourself to be corrected, and continue to try. This will show your child that you are making an effort, showing them respect, and doing your best to adapt to their preferences.
• You don’t need to learn all the terms and language – your child will steer you, and it’s a good opportunity to show your support in being receptive to what they say.
• Respect your child’s boundaries. It may feel uncomfortable for them to be asked very personal, intimate or intrusive questions – so ask if it’s okay to ask, and respect the answer. Think about how you might feel if your own parent asked you something deeply personal about yourself. 
• Finding a supportive group for your child can really help. Being part of a group may help to reduce your child’s sense of isolation – allowing them to meet people with similar experiences and a shared understanding of what they’re going through. Groups can offer a safe space and a sense of community, whether in person or online. A good place to start is seeing if there are any LGBTQIA+ youth groups in your local area or at your child’s school.
• It’s understandable if you are feeling upset, anxious or scared about what your child is going through. Being honest about this with other adults you trust is really important, and it might help to share your experiences with other families in the same situation. There are organisations listed below who can help you with this.
• Be alert for signs that your child is struggling with their mental health – including withdrawing, seeming low or depressed, self-harming or expressing suicidal thoughts. If you are concerned, seek professional support and advice from your GP.

The Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) is England’s only NHS service for children and young people experiencing difficulties in the development of their gender identity. The service has main clinics in London and Leeds, as well as satellite clinics elsewhere across England in places like Exeter.

GIDS has a staged approach to supporting young people. Every young person is different and will be treated as an individual. If your child is referred to GIDS, first they will have a full psychosocial assessment, which is usually three to six appointments with two experts. They will work with your child, and family, to explore your child’s understanding of their gender identity, and to talk about how their feelings may have changed over time, and how they might change in future.