On this page, we talk about gender.

We also talk about sexuality.

On this page:

• What gender is
• What sexuality is
• Discrimination because of your gender or sexuality
• What you can do if you experience discrimination

You might think of yourself as:

• a man
• a woman
• gender diverse.

  A gender diverse person is someone:

  • who feels like they do not fit the idea of being a man or a woman
  • whose gender given to them when they were born does not match the gender they are.

Some people might need medical support to feel like they can show their gender in the way that is best for them.

For example, someone might:

• take medication
• have surgery.

People can explore and show their gender in many different ways.

You might explore or show your gender with the:

• clothes you wear
• names you use
• way you communicate
• communities you belong to.

We made a list of types of gender.

But your gender might be different.

How you feel about your gender might also change over time.

Female

A female person is someone who thinks of themselves as a woman.

Male

A male person is someone who thinks of themselves as a man.

Transgender

A transgender person is someone whose gender identity is different now to what they were given when they were born.

Transsexual

A transsexual person is someone who changes parts of their body to match the gender they are.

Non‑binary

A non‑binary person is someone who feels like they do not fit the idea of being a man or a woman.

Intersex

An intersex person is someone who has parts of their body that do not fit with what many people think of as being male or female.

This could include parts inside their body.

No matter your gender, you have the right to be yourself.

If you cannot explore and share your gender with other people in your life, you can find other ways to do so.

For example, some online groups can be a safe place for gender diverse people to be themselves.

Sexuality is about the sexual thoughts and feelings you have.

It also includes the sexual activities you want to do.

Sexuality is also about the types of people that you might:

• love
• be attracted to.

For example, you might be attracted to:

• men
• women
• gender diverse people
• no one.

We made a list of types of sexuality.

But your sexuality might be different.

How you feel about your sexuality might also change over time.

Heterosexual

If someone is heterosexual, they are attracted to people of the opposite gender to them.

For example, a woman being attracted to men.

This is also known as being ‘straight’.

Homosexual

If someone is homosexual, they are attracted to people of the same gender as them.

For example, a woman being attracted to women.

This is also known as being ‘gay’ or ‘lesbian’.

Bisexual

If someone is bisexual, they are attracted to:

• men
• women.

They can also be attracted to people of other genders as well.

Pansexual

If someone is pansexual, they are attracted to people of all genders.

They might not think about someone’s gender at all.

Demisexual

If someone is demisexual, they are only attracted to people who they can have an emotional connection with.

Asexual

If someone is asexual, they are only attracted to people sometimes or not at all.

This is also known as being ‘ace’.

For many people, their sexuality is a great pleasure in their life.

You can explore your sexuality in a fun and healthy way, including when you take part in sexual activities.

It is important to make sure that:

• you respect the people around you
• everyone is safe
• everyone has given their consent.

  When you give your consent, you say it is okay for someone to do something.

We wrote some examples of ways you can explore your sexuality.

You could touch parts of:

• your body
• someone else’s body.

You could do this with a person who you:

• have sex with sometimes
• are in a relationship with, like your boyfriend or girlfriend.

  Your relationship with someone is how you are connected to them.

You could take part in sexual activities with a sex worker.

You could watch:

• movies that make you feel sexual
• pornography.

  Pornography is photos or videos of:

  • someone’s private body parts
  • people taking part in sexual activities.

You could read or listen to books that:

• are about romance
• make you feel sexual.

You might experience discrimination because of your gender or sexuality.

The many different types of gender and sexuality are not new.

But many people still don’t understand them.

For example, someone might tell you:

• they do not want to be around you anymore
• you need to hide or change your gender or sexuality.

You might experience bullying.

Experiencing discrimination can:

• cause a lot of pain
• make you and the people who care about you very upset.

It can be even harder if you also experience discrimination about something else.

For example, about a disability.

People who are gender diverse are more likely to experience bad mental health.

This includes:

• feeling stressed
• hurting themselves
• having issues with alcohol or drugs
• experiencing depression.

  Depression can be a serious mental health problem.

  If you have depression, you feel very bad most of the time.

The way the community treats gender diverse people might be the reason why these things happen to them.

It is important that everyone:

• is curious about gender and sexuality
• respects other people’s gender and sexuality
• keeps an open mind about gender and sexuality.

If you experience discrimination because of your gender or sexuality, you can get support.

You do not need to go through this alone.

We are sorry that this has happened to you.

Below is a list of supports you can contact if you experience discrimination.

QLife supports LGBTQIA+ people and their families.

They can support you to talk about things like:

• sexuality
• gender
• feelings
• relationships.

You can visit the QLife website for more information.

You can call them between 3:00 pm and 10:30 pm.

1800 184 527

Headspace supports people who are 25 years old or younger with their mental health.

You can visit the Headspace website for more information.

You can call Headspace.

1800 650 890

ReachOut is a support where young people can share their thoughts and feelings.

And the information they share does not include any of their personal details.

You can visit the ReachOut website for more information.

BeyondBlue is a service that connects people with mental health care they might need.

They are open 24 hours and 7 days a week for short counselling.

You can call BeyondBlue.

1300 224 636