Understanding Gender, Sexuality, and Expression
Supporting Queer and Gender-Diverse Children and Youth
Gender, sexuality, and expression can evolve continuously throughout a person’s life. It can be a complex experience to navigate for children and youth as well as their parents and caregivers. Broadly, our understanding of gender has evolved beyond the male-female binary, and the way people interpret these shifts is sometimes informed by cultural views, religious beliefs, or other factors.
If you think your young person is exploring their gender, sexuality, and/or expression but hasn’t yet shared much about their journey, you may find it difficult to initiate a conversation—and that’s okay. If you’ve been walking alongside your young person for some time as they navigate their gender, sexuality, and/or expression, you may still feel uncertain about how best to support them—and this is also normal. We’ve developed this resource to help you as a parent or caregiver understand important facts and concepts related to gender, sexuality, and expression and to provide information about how to best support the young person in your life.
Part 1: What are some common terms I should know?
Language is constantly evolving. Learning important concepts shows that you care for and respect your child and are choosing to use language that makes them most comfortable. This page has a glossary of common terms related to gender, sexuality, and expression.
Part 2: What are pronouns and why do they matter?
Pronouns are used to represent someone’s gender identity. Gender identity is a person’s core sense of self and how they feel as an individual, making them very significant. This section covers some common pronouns and the impact of misgendering.
Part 3: How can I tell if my child or youth is exploring their gender, sexuality, or expression?
Usually, there isn’t one defining moment that tells you that your child or youth is exploring their gender identity or sexual orientation. Here you will learn about some signs that signal this exploration is underway, as well as the coming out process.
Part 4: How might gender, sexuality, or expression affect my child or youth’s mental health?
When the way you look and are treated is misaligned with how you feel and see yourself, it can cause a variety of negative feelings to arise. This page discusses the impact of those feelings on mental health and introduces the concept of intersectionality.
Part 5: How can I support and advocate for my child or youth through this journey?
Creating or maintaining an open, safe environment where you are approachable and supportive is critical while you walk alongside your child or youth in their journey. This section offers some support strategies for you to try.
Part 6: How can I take care of myself?
There is a coming out process for parents too, and recognizing yourself as the parent or caregiver of a queer child may be an adjustment. This section offers tips on processing your feelings and seeking support while focusing on supporting and affirming your child or youth.
Part 7: Frequently Asked Questions
This page contains some frequently asked questions and answers about gender, sexuality, and expression.
Part 8: Additional Resources
Here, you will find additional resources to learn more about gender, sexuality, and expression, as well as culturally responsive services available.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone.
If you are a parent/caregiver worried about your child, or a young person looking for help yourself – please reach out. Our network of child and youth mental health centres has 4,000 professionals ready to help children, youth and families with free counselling and treatment. We provide care in person, on the phone and virtually. No problem is too big or small.
Find your closest child and youth mental health centre.