Gender Identity
WHAT IS AN INDIVIDUAL’S ASSIGNED GENDER IDENTITY?
An assigned gender identity is the gender one is born with and usually refers to a child’s external anatomy. The assigned gender can be male or female.
Other words for assigned gender are biological sex, birth sex, and natal sex.
WHAT IS GENDER IDENTITY?
Gender identity is an individual’s internal feeling and belief that they are a male, female, neither or another gender.
Gender identity is not the same as assigned gender (explained below).
WHAT DO THE WORDS NON-BINARY MEAN?
The words non-binary are used to refer to individuals who do not class themselves as either male or female. A non-binary individual can feel they have both male and female elements to their being. Their gender falls outside the traditional genders male and female.
Other words for a non-binary individual are gender variant, gender queer, gender expansive.
WHAT IS A TRANSGENDER CHILD/PERSON?
A transgender child/person is an individual whose gender identity is not the same as their assigned gender.
A transgender individual is also one whose gender identity falls outside of the traditional gender identities of male and female.
The word trans is shorthand for transgender.
WHAT DO THE WORDS GENDER TRANSITION MEAN?
Gender transition is the process whereby an individual will live as their gender identity and not as the gender they were assigned with. It is also known as the time period when gender reassignment occurs.
Transition can happen with or without medical procedures and hormones.
Any surgery that is part of gender transition and changes the body to align with an individual’s gender identity is referred to as gender affirming surgery (GAS), sex reassignment surgery (SRS) or gender confirming surgery (GCS)
WHAT IS A GENDER PRONOUN SET?
A gender pronoun set is a part of an individual’s gender expression and is specific to the individual you are talking about.
Some examples are – he/him/his or they/them/theirs
WHAT DOES SEXUAL ORIENTATION MEAN?
An individual’s sexual orientation refers to their self-identification in relation to the gender to which they are sexually attracted.
Sexual orientation words are heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, straight, pansexual.
AT WHAT AGE CAN YOU CHANGE YOUR GENDER?
Under section 1 of the gender recognition act 2004 you can make an application for a gender change certificate. You can do this if you have changed your gender already according to the law of the country where you changed your gender or been living as that gender.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR SECTION 1 OF THE GENDER RECOGNITION ACT 2004
WHAT IS GENDER DYSPHORIA?
A transgender child can suffer from great upset and stress caused by the fact their gender identity does not match their assigned gender identity. This can affect their mental state and all aspects of their well-being and life. The term used to describe this stress is gender dysphoria.
A child can suffer from physical dysphoria where they are distressed about their physical appearance or social dysphoria where someone is using the wrong pronouns for them.
Some transgender teenagers can suffer from depression, feel isolated, anxiety, self harm and have suicidal thoughts.
HOW CAN PARENTS BEST SUPPORT A CHILD WITH A GENDER IDENTITY ISSUE?
NOTICE YOUR CHILD – If your young child is a transgender child or non-binary, they may not know themselves what is happening to them as they grow up. They may be confused and unable to convey to you that they look a certain way but feel a certain way. However, you may start to notice certain behaviours that may alert you to this fact:
- Showing preference for clothes normally associated and worn by a different gender
- Not wanting to go into the washrooms meant for their assigned gender.
- Wanting underwear worn by a different gender
- Your child may be withdrawn
- Your child may react at being referred to by their assigned gender.
- They want to be known by a certain name used by a different gender.
LISTEN TO YOUR CHILD – Your child may try to inform you about what they like and what they don’t like which you may find peculiar because another gender often likes these things. However, if this happens quite often and for many different things, please don’t ignore it.
Your child may start telling you that they think they are another gender. Listen carefully and comfort your child. Think how hard and brave it must be for them to come and tell you. Please do not react or get upset. This may make your child withdraw.
LEARN ABOUT GENDER IDENTITY – Take it easy on yourself if you are out of your depth. If you don’t know what a transgender child is then you don’t know. It’s not wrong not to know, it’s wrong not to educate yourself about it so you can be a better parent to your child.
- Educate yourself about transgender
- Talk to your GP or the NCPSS for help and guidance.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
- Talk to your child and understand how they feel and be part of their journey.
- Contact the organisations listed in our L.I.P Help Guide 17
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
ACCEPT THEIR GENDER IDENTITY – Accept and support the correct gender identity of your child. As soon as you do this you will notice your child will flourish in most aspects of their life. This is because they feel understood, accepted and loved unconditionally. A weight has been lifted from their shoulders and they are now free to express themselves.
BE PART OF THEIR JOURNEY – No one is expecting you to be the best parent in the world, or that you have all the answers and you know what to do. Like most parents you weren’t given a manual when your child was born. However, you can show and tell your child you love them and care for them no matter what their gender identity. Walk with them side by side as they grow and live their life.
WHAT IS YOUR PARENT MOTTO?
DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD NOT YOURSELF!
WHO CAN A PARENT CONTACT FOR HELP AND SUPPORT IF THEIR CHILD HAS AN ISSUE WITH GENDER IDENTITY?
You can contact NSPCC – If your child has an issue with their gender identity you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns if your child has gender identity issues.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact YOUNG MINDS – They have a helpline for parents on 0808 802 5544, Monday – Friday 9:30am – 4:00pm.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR YOUNG MINDS – PARENTS HELPLINE
You can contact MERMAIDS – They have a helpline for parents on 0808 801 0400.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR MERMAIDS – PARENTS HELPLINE
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child is suffering from gender identity and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.