Identity & Gender
Feeling ‘different’ can be tough, especially when you’re a teenager going through lots of changes. The most important thing is to be true to yourself and surround yourself with supportive people.
You might think you’re the only one in your school who feels like this, but there are lots of people just like you out there. Around 10 per cent of people across Australia experience same-sex attraction, and they choose a range of terms including lesbian, gay and bisexual to describe themselves. Growing numbers of young people are identifying as transgender or gender diverse, and we also know that there are a number of intersex people in our community.
Being bullied or discriminated against just for being yourself can make you feel bad. Try and remember that it says a lot more about the person doing the bullying than it does about you. If you have experienced discrimination, violence or abuse, you can report it. Because of all this, young LGBTQI people are more likely to experience anxiety and/or depression than their peers. If you’re going through a tough time, it’s important to understand what’s going on and do something about it. |