Sexuality and Gender

Some people “just know” they aren’t straight.
Some figure things out slowly over time.
Some change how they identify as they grow.

All of these experiences are real and okay.

You might want a label — lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, queer — or you might prefer no label at all. Both are valid.

Nobody else can tell you who you are.

If you say you’re gay, bi, ace, pan, queer — that’s your identity.
If you’re not ready to say it out loud, that’s okay too.

We live in a world where many people assume everyone is straight. This is called heteronormativity — the idea that being straight is somehow the “default.”

Because of this, you might:

• Worry about what others think

• Feel nervous about expressing yourself

• Fear being judged or misunderstood

• Worry about homophobia or negative reactions

• Feel “different” or unsure

None of these feelings mean something is wrong with you.
They mean society still has a lot of growing to do.

If you’re feeling unaccepted, confused or alone, talking to others with similar experiences or reaching out to a trusted adult can really help.

You deserve to feel safe and supported.

You can talk to:

• A trusted adult

• A friend who understands

• A teacher or counsellor

• A youth worker

• Local LGBTQ+ support groups or youth spaces

Speaking to people who understand what you’re going through can help you feel less alone and more confident in who you are.

What Is Gender?

Gender is one way people understand and express themselves in the world.
It’s different from biological sex, which refers to the body you are born with (male, female or intersex).

Gender is about:

• How you feel inside

• How you express yourself

• How you see yourself

• What feels right for you

Some people identify as male or female.
Some people are non‑binary.
Some are gender‑fluid.
Some are questioning.
Some don’t feel connected to gender at all.

There isn’t one “right” way to be.

These are two different things:

Gender Identity

Your internal sense of who you are (male, female, non‑binary, trans, agender, etc.)

Gender Expression

How you show your gender on the outside (clothes, hair, voice, style).

You can express yourself however feels comfortable — masculine, feminine, a mix, or something else entirely.

Gender expression does not determine your sexuality.

Some people are born with a mix of male and female traits in their body.
This is called being intersex.
It’s completely natural — just another way human bodies exist.

Intersex people may be raised in the way their parents choose, but only the individual can decide how they identify later in life.

For many people, gender isn’t something they think about much. But for others, their gender identity is deeply important.

Some young people:

• Feel uncomfortable with their body

• Feel their gender doesn’t match the sex they were assigned at birth

• Feel pressure to “act” a certain way

• Wish they were seen as a different gender

• Feel unsure and want time to explore

• Don’t feel like they fit into “male” or “female” boxes

This doesn’t mean anything is “wrong.”
It means they are discovering who they are — and that takes honesty, time, and support.

If someone feels strong discomfort or distress because their body doesn’t match their gender identity, they might be experiencing gender dysphoria.

This can look like:

• Disliking or rejecting certain body parts

• Feeling “trapped” in the wrong body

• Feeling distressed by puberty changes

• Wanting to be seen as another gender

• Feeling desperate for others to understand

If these feelings sound familiar, please speak to a trusted adult as soon as you feel able. You deserve support and understanding.

Your gender identity and sexuality are unique to you.
There is no right or wrong way to exist.

What matters most is:

• You feel safe

• You feel supported

• You can talk openly if you choose

• You know there is nothing wrong with how you feel

• You understand that you deserve respect, always

You are allowed to explore.
You are allowed to change.
You are allowed to be exactly who you are.

And you never have to figure it out by yourself.