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Planet Puberty: Helping parents of kids with intellectual disability and autism navigate a new world 

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Planet Puberty: Helping parents of kids with intellectual disability and autism navigate a new world 

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Perimenopause expert

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Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

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Updated Travel Advisory for Nonbinary and Trans New Jersey Residents | Garden State Equality

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Garden State Equality is expanding on our previous travel advisory for nonbinary and trans New Jersey residents. While our previous travel advisory applied only to international travel, we now also advise travelers to exercise caution when traveling domestically. Nonbinary, trans, and gender diverse people, people with X gender markers, people whose gender marker differs from […]

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APA Statement on Access to Treatment for Gender Diverse People

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APA supports access to psychological care and evidence-based treatment for transgender, gender-diverse, and nonbinary children, teens and adults.

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Healthy Relationships 101 | Teens for Courage

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Follows WPATH standards, able and willing to write letters of recommendation for Hormone
Replacement Therapy or Gender Affirming Surgeries
Sees clients ages 13years old and Up

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The greatest act of courage is to be and to own all of who you are - without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth of who you are.

Individual Outpatient Therapy

Outpatient therapy is focused on identifying struggles, processing the origins and patterns, and learning more effective ways to cope with them.

Solution Focused Therapy

Solution Focused Therapy is a singular goal focused intervention, where the client, with the therapist's help, creates clear measurable goals and objectives. The therapist and client focus on the success and barriers to achieving those objective. Client always has homework between sessions.

Surgical and Hormonal Assessments and Letter

This assessment is specifically for Transgender and other individuals in the gender-diverse community when a mental health letter is necessary for medical interventions.

Public Speaking is an event where the therapist is requested to come as a guest speaker and will talk to a group of people about their personal life and experiences. Trainings are presentations to a group of people that include lessons pertaining to a specific topic. I am available to create and present trainings related to Transgender/ Non-binary identities, LGBTQ+ needs and disparities, and Ethical Non-Monohomy.

Public Speaking and Trainings

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Therapy | CAARE Counseling & Consultation | United States

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The greatest act of courage is to be and to own all of who you are - without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth of who you are. Individual Outpatient Therapy Outpatient therapy is focused on identifying struggles, processing the origins and patterns, and learning more effective ways to cope with them.

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How to Support Kids Who Are Questioning 

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How to Support Kids Who Are Questioning 

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In recent years, the way kids and teens think about gender and sexuality has moved beyond the simple binaries of male/female and gay/straight. This gives them a lot more flexibility to understand and express their gender and sexual orientation in ways that feel right to them. But sorting out these feelings and thoughts can be confusing and sometimes scary - for kids and their families. And questioning kids do best when they have the support of their families.

What does it mean to be "questioning?"

It's normal for very young children to experiment with gender identity, but "questioning" in this context refers to older kids and young adults who are in the process of exploring their gender identity and/or sexual orientation. For young people, questioning both who they're attracted to (their sexual orientation) and what gender they identify with (male, female or another gender), has become more and more common. A recent poll shows that about 1 in 6 Americans aged 18-23 identify as something other than heterosexual. Kids who are trying to figure out where they fit along these spectrums are often referred to as "questioning."

For more on the terminology that young people often use to describe sexual orientation and gender identity, see the helpful glossary from the Human Rights Campaign.

What helps kids when they are in a questioning mode?

Mental health experts stress the importance of giving kids who are questioning unconditional support at home. "We know that queer youth who have family support adjust to things a lot better," says Michael Enenbach, MD, a former child and adolescent psychiatrist and clinical director at the Child Mind Institute in the San Francisco Bay Area. "It's really vital to have the support of the parents even if parents don't agree with the child is saying or doing." That means explicitly letting your child know that you love them, accept them, and stand by them - even if you're confused or upset by the thoughts and feelings they're having.

Most kids are probably not going to come right out and tell you that they're having questions about who they're attracted to or that they don't feel right in the body they were born in. Being comfortable enough to reveal these feelings to their friends or parents or even themselves can be a long and difficult process. Dr. Enenbach says that even when parents pick up on signs from their kids - things they say, changes in the way they dress, things they post on social media, reports from other parents - you shouldn't push your kids to talk about it. "It's really important not to be too pointed and assertive," he says.

So instead of saying something like, "Do you think you might be gay?" or "I've noticed that you've been dressing differently," it's better to check in with open-ended questions and let them know that you're there if they need you. You might say: "I hope you know that I'm here for you no matter what, and that you can talk to me about anything that's going on." You can also let kids know that if they'd rather talk to someone outside the family, you can arrange for them to meet with a therapist.

Dr. Enenbach also notes that it's best to keep the conversation light and try not to hover. "Don't ask every day, 'How are you doing?'" he advises. Instead, check in once a month. "Ask your child, 'How's everything going? Anything you want to talk about? Anything you want to talk to someone else about?' It's really something that the teenager needs to figure out on their own, but know that they have the support of adults."

Even without discussing the issue with your child directly, you can take steps to make it clear to them that your family is accepting of all gender identities and sexual orientations. This could include making a real effort to use other people's correct pronouns, talking openly and without judgment about any non-straight or gender nonconforming people in your family's life, and even talking about the media you watch together. You may see a character on TV coming out to their family and take the opportunity to say something like, "It's so great they felt comfortable coming out to their dad. I hope you feel you could come to me if you had questions of your own or wanted to talk to me about your gender or sexuality."

When a child does start to share ideas about their identity, it's important for parents to respect those ideas and meet kids where they are. Start by being really open to what they have to say; just hear them out without passing judgment. It may be awkward at first, but that's okay. The important part is to listen, let them know that you take their feelings seriously and follow their lead.

That includes using the pronouns or names that they ask you to use, even if they're still figuring out what works for them. "Wherever I meet a family or child with these concerns we use the words that the teens choose," says Emma Woodward, PhD, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute.

Risk for mental health challenges

Just because your child is having questioning thoughts doesn't mean they're upset about it. But these thoughts and feelings can cause mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, and LGBTQ+ kids are at higher risk for these disorders, especially if they feel rejected by family members or peers.

It's important for parents to notice when a child seems constantly worried or withdrawn, doesn't want to see friends, isn't sleeping or eating well or has lost interest in activities they usually enjoy. These are signs of mental health challenges that may or may not be related to gender or sexual identity. If these symptoms last more than a few weeks and especially if they seem to be getting worse, it may be time to get your child help from a therapist.

A child who seems to have a high level of distress around gender issues might be experiencing something called gender dysphoria. Kids with gender dysphoria feel strongly that they are the wrong gender, and those feelings can cause an intense need to change genders.

It's important to note that being transgender is not a mental health disorder. And not all transgender people experience gender dysphoria. But kids who do have gender dysphoria are at an increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior, especially if family and friends do not accept them as the gender they identify with. Treatment can make a big difference for kids with gender dysphoria, and therapists can help families navigate options for kids who are considering transitioning to a different gender.

Kids who are questioning may also be targets for bullying. Whether or not your child is openly discussing their gender and sexual identity with you, it's important to be ready to advocate for them. If you suspect bullying, start by talking with your child about what they're experiencing and how they want to handle it. It's best to get the child's consent before talking to their teacher about bullying. At the same time, you can let them know that it's important to stand up for themselves and that you're ready to back them up: "We don't have to do it right away, but we might need to talk to your teacher if this keeps happening." Later, you might consider going to the principal if your concerns aren't addressed after working with the teacher.

Even if you don't have specific concerns about bullying, it may be helpful to bring up the subject at your next parent-teacher conference. You might say, "Hey, I know that my child presents a little differently. Have you noticed any teasing or anything like that?" "It's important to check in with teachers," Dr. Enenbach says, "but I would only really push and go to the school administration if you notice that your kid is really distressed and showing signs of depression."

How to handle your own challenging feelings

It's normal to experience upsetting feelings of your own if your child is questioning their gender or sexuality. You might feel anxious about the challenges your child could face, how to share news about their identity with extended family, or how to support a child whose identity is different from your own. In particular, parents of kids who are questioning their gender identity might feel a sense of mourning for the child they imagined they would have - the daughter who was going to walk down the aisle in a white dress, for example.

These feelings are all valid, says Dr. Enenbach, but parents should try to avoid letting them get in the way of supporting their child. "I'm not saying it's easy for parents to be supportive," Dr. Enenbach says. "But it's really important to do your best and seek guidance on your own to help support the kid." Learning more about LGBTQ+ identities and experiences can help, and so can joining a support group for parents for kids in similar situations. PFLAG, an organization for LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones and allies, is a great place to start.

You might also consider working with a therapist of your own to process your feelings separately from your child. "That kind of work especially is important for parents to do on their own, with their own provider," Dr. Woodward says. Parents' feelings "can cause a child to feel a lot of guilt and shame. Those are complicated feelings, but it's not the kid's responsibility to manage their parents' emotional responses."

Finally, it's helpful to remember that questioning kids' identities may evolve as they continue to explore their gender and sexuality, so parents shouldn't expect that the labels or pronouns kids choose for themselves will necessarily be fixed. The goal isn't to get the child to settle into an identity, but rather to support them through as much exploration as feels right to them. "It really is about following their lead with how they identify and what language they're comfortable with," says Dr. Woodward. All parents want their kids to feel safe, happy and loved. And being supportive, open and informed are the best ways for parents to help questioning kids have that experience.

How can I help a teenager with gender identity?

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How to Support Kids Who Are Questioning - Child Mind Institute

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Kids who are questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation do best when they have the support of their families.

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Mazzoni Center offers an array of patient-centered treatment and services based on a harm reduction and informed consent model. We value collaboration between the patient and medical provider in healthcare decision-making, and support patients in understanding the range of treatment options available to them.

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LGBTQ+ WAE,  in Livingston, NJ and online

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LGBTQ+ WAE,  in Livingston, NJ and online

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A community focused on social interaction, education, individual expression, and advocacy for people with IDD and/or ASD who self-identify as LGBTQ+.
Also, a resource to caregivers, families, and allies.

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Jewish Services for the Developmentally Disabled

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LGBTQ+ WAE: The Power of an Inclusive Community

The intention of LGBTQ+ WAE is to bring together a group of people who share similar life experiences and to enjoy the support of that community. The goal: to lessen the isolation and reduce stereotypes and misperceptions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) who identify as LGBTQ+. Regularly scheduled online or in-person meetings allow participants to connect with others who deal with similar issues in a more diverse group than they might otherwise encounter.

A Safe Place for the IDD and ASD Community and Allies

LGBTQ+ WAE is a community focused on social interaction, education, individual expression, and advocacy for people with IDD and/or ASD who self-identify as LGBTQ+. The group supports each individual and their community in expanding knowledge and understanding of day-to-day issues faced by people who identify with the LGBTQ+ community. In addition, it serves as a resource to caregivers, families, and allies so that they may better understand, support and advocate for the person in their care.

Holistic Approach to Wellness

The community aligns with the WAE Center's philosophy of "Finding the Spark Within" each individual and supporting their discovery process.

The WAE (Wellness, Arts, Enrichment) Center's distinctive approach is built around:

Dedication to the individual

Unconditional acceptance

Promoting self-expression

Meaningful life engagement / friendship

Embracing diversity in all aspects of our community

Inclusion/participation in the local communities

Meeting Schedule

Monthly meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month @ 7pm. Please email FGraye@jsdd.org to RSVP.

Meetings are solely online until further notice.

Have questions about LGBTQ+ WAE?

For more information and to join us, email our facilitator Faye Graye at FGraye@jsdd.org.
Supported by a generous grant from The Healthcare Foundation of NJ

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LGBTQ+ WAE - Jewish Services for the Developmentally Disabled

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LGBTQ+ WAE brings together people who share similar life experiences. The goal: to connect people with IDD who identify as LGBTQ+.

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Comprehensive list of resources in NJ

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Multi-disciplinary healthcare services for transgender patients.

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At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) New Brunswick it is a top priority to optimize health and well-being for every patient. Our LGBTQIA Program is firmly rooted with that purpose in mind.

In full support of the transgender community, RWJUH provides a full suite of specialized services designed to bring you to the best "you" you can be.

At the Center, a multidisciplinary team of family medicine physicians, gynecologists, urologists, endocrinologists, plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists provides specialized care for LGBTQ patients. Hormone therapy and surgical procedures are offered to support the transition of transgender patients.

Services We Provide

To complement our services, our LGBT Health Navigators can assist with any questions that you may have and help guide you through your experience.

More Information

See news coverage about the PROUD Gender Center of New Jersey from ABC7 Eyewitness News.

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Transgender Community Services | LGBTQIA | RWJ University Hospital

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At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) New Brunswick it is a top priority to optimize health and well-being for every patient. Our LGBTQIA Program is firmly rooted with that purpose in mind. In full support of the transgender community, RWJUH provides a full suite of specialized services designed to bring you to the best "you" you can be.

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LGBTQIA+ Program at RWJUH in New Brunswick 

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LGBTQIA+ Program at RWJUH in New Brunswick 

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Equitable healthcare for youth and adults

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At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick, we are dedicated to meeting the diverse healthcare needs of our community. The LGBTQIA+ Program is part of our initiative to provide quality care to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, A sexual community. Our hospitals and medical centers are welcoming, inclusive environments, with physicians and staff dedicated in their commitment to equitably serve the needs of the LGBTQIA+ population.

Nationally Recognized Diversity Programs

We recognize the serious challenges facing LGBTQIA+ youth and adults, and stand in support of diversity and inclusion for all. Our program services includes policies intended to eliminate the disparities in care LGBTQIA+ patients often face when seeking medical care. We have been awarded the Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality recognition by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation five consecutive times. This requires us to meet certain criteria:

Upholding an explicit patient non-discrimination policy

Instituting an equal visitation policy for LGBTQIA+ couples

Maintaining an employment non-discrimination policy

Staff training in LGBTQIA+ patient-centered care

Our staff regularly creates and attends community events that promote inclusion. We also aim to educate the community to counteract misleading information regarding common health concerns in the LGBTQIA+ community. Patient Health Navigators are available to assist patients with questions and concerns.

Full Suite of Services for the Transgender Community at the PROUD Gender Center of New Jersey

Access to a comprehensive, compassionate, and individualized health care program is vital to the transgender community, and at RWJUH, we've established a highly specialized, full suite of services through our PROUD Gender Center of New Jersey.

As world-class health care leaders, we continually increase our knowledge concerning those we serve, through medical conferences and other learning resources, such as support groups. That's why you can place your confidence in our staff and services, and know that you will be treated with dignity and professionalism every step of the way.

To make an appointment, call 1-833-BH-PROUD or 1-833-247-7683.

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The LGBTQIA program is part of RWJBarnabas Health's initiative to provide quality care to New Jersey's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) community. Our hospitals and medical centers are welcoming, inclusive environments, with physicians and staff dedicated in their commitment to equitably serve the needs of the LGBTQIA population.

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✨ Thinx (BTWN) is now Thinx Teens™️! ✨ See what's new 👉

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You-ology: A Puberty Guide for Every Body

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What if learning about changing bodies wasn’t secretive or shameful? And what if it could even be inclusive, fun, and, well, kind of adorable? A new kind of pub

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Trish Hutchison, MD is a board-certified pediatrician, nationally recognized health educator, and author. Dr. Trish is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Girlology, a leading wellness app supporting girls and caregivers with personalized on demand health resources that guide them through puberty and adolescence with confidence. Dr. Trish founded and directed a young women's health center for the Department of Adolescent Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. She is an expert on adolescent development, teen sexuality, parenting, and has been listed among the Best Doctors in America.

Dr. Trish has authored books for youth on puberty and sexual development. Her most recent publication is a book for youth published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is also a Co-Founder of the Period Education Project, a national non-profit that trains medical students to deliver menstrual health education to under resourced communities. Dr. Trish has over 20 years of clinical practice and currently works in College Health at The College of Charleston. This keeps her up to date on issues that kids face daily, including her own two college aged daughters.

She earned her MD at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) then completed her Pediatrics residency at Vanderbilt University.

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Girlology was designed to give you medically accurate, in-the-moment support needed to navigate your journey with all the facts and greater confidence. An accessible resource like no other, Girlology helps girls (of all ages) and parents prepare for what's ahead.

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Great videos about menstruation

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It's important to remember that asexuality is an umbrella term, and exists on a spectrum. Asexual people - also known as "Ace" or "Aces" - may have little interest in having sex, even though most desire emotionally intimate relationships. Within the ace community there are many ways for people to identify.

Here are just a few common terms to explore:

Demisexual: People who only experience sexual attraction once they form a strong emotional connection with another person.

Grey-A: People who identify somewhere between sexual and asexual.

Queerplatonic: People who experience a type of non-romantic relationship where there is an intense emotional connection that goes beyond a traditional friendship.

Aces commonly use hetero-, homo-, bi-, and pan- in front of the word romantic to describe who they experience romantic attraction to. For example, a person who is hetero-romantic might be attracted to people of a different sex or gender, but not in a sexual way.

FAQ

1. My friends talk about sex all the time, but I don't feel any desire to be with someone in that way. Is it normal to not feel any sexual attraction towards other people?

2. I am romantically attracted to boys and girls, but I don't want to be with them physically. Can I be bisexual and asexual?

3. I kissed my boyfriend for the first time and it was gross! Does this mean I am asexual?

4. How do I tell my partner/the person I like that I am asexual?

5. People are telling me that something is wrong with me now that I've come out as asexual. Even worse, some are saying that asexuality doesn't exist. How can I help them understand me?

Answer:
Yes, it is completely normal to not feel sexual attraction towards other people. Love doesn't have to equal sex! You can have strong, meaningful relationships with friends or partners that don't necessarily involve a sexual connection. In fact, there is a huge spectrum of identities and sexualities out there that can help describe different kinds of attraction. We encourage you to learn more about identities like asexuality, which may help you feel more at ease about not feeling sexually attracted to others. Remember, nothing is set in stone, and you don't have to label yourself with a term unless you're ready. Your feelings may or may not change over time, and that is completely okay!
Question 2: I am romantically attracted to boys and girls, but I don't want to be with them physically. Can I be bisexual and asexual?
Answer:
Absolutely! Because you feel romantically attracted to others, you may feel comfortable using the term "romantic" instead of "sexual," then adding "bi-" to show that you're attracted to both boys and girls. This creates a term that's commonly used in the asexual and ace community: "biromantic." Another term for you to explore could be panromantic, which describes a person who is romantically attracted to others, but their attraction is not limited by the other person's sex or gender.
Question 3: I kissed my boyfriend for the first time and it was gross! Does this mean I am asexual?
Answer:
Not necessarily. There are a lot of things that make up our identity, and who we are physically and romantically attracted to can be discovered over time in many different ways. It sounds like you are listening to yourself and are in touch with your feelings - that's an awesome first step! What you experienced is perfectly normal, even though being grossed out by your first kiss might have been confusing.

People who identify as asexual experience little or no sexual attraction to others. Asexual people, or "aces," often identify somewhere on a spectrum that includes their emotional, spiritual and romantic attraction to other people.

It might be helpful to think about how you feel about your boyfriend, too. How do you feel about him romantically, spiritually, and emotionally? Remember, love does not automatically equal sex or being physical. In fact, there are many happy, healthy relationships that don't involve those things.

So, are you asexual? That's up to you to decide, because you know yourself best! You might do some more research and find out that "asexual" is a good way to describe yourself - or, you may find another term that fits your feelings better. Give yourself time and space to explore what you are feeling. You are not alone!
Question 4: How do I tell my partner/the person I like that I am asexual?
Answer:
This is a tough question, and there isn't any easy answer. Coming out to ANYONE can be scary, and many people in the ace community face specific risks when coming out, like being rejected by a partner or love interest. Some aces even voice fears of never finding a partner who will accept them for who they are. However, there is a whole community out there that is able to offer support. We recommend checking out AVEN. The Trevor Project also has a great resource for coming out called "Coming Out As YOU!" available at: thetrevorproject.org/resources/guide/the-coming-out-handbook/.

You deserve love and happiness, and we hope that you will find someone who will love you for the amazing, whole person that you are! You should NEVER feel pressured to have sex with someone if you don't want to, no matter how much you like them. If someone doesn't accept you for being asexual, then they might not be the right person for you.
Question 5: People are telling me that something is wrong with me now that I've come out as asexual - even worse, some are saying that asexuality doesn't exist. How can I help them understand me?
Answer:
It sounds like you are honestly and bravely sharing your feelings with the people you love and depend on, but that they aren't hearing, understanding or validating you. That's really tough, especially because having the support of family and friends can make such a huge difference as we're discovering who we are. We want you to know that being asexual is completely valid and normal, and that you have our full support!

It might help to explain to the people in your life that asexuality is a sexual orientation just like being bi, gay, lesbian, pan, or straight - it all comes down to how you are attracted to other people, in what ways. Remind them that you can have strong, meaningful relationships with friends or partners, even if you aren't being physical with them. You can also try and connect them with some resources, like the ones at the bottom of this page, so they can do some research on their own.

Ultimately, we can't change how other people respond to us, or force them to understand who we are. What we can do is share our stories and make meaningful connections with others who are ready to accept us for who we are. You are an amazing gift to the world, and we are so happy that you are being authentically YOU!

Resources

Through The Trevor Support Center, you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project does not review or ensure the accuracy of the content on other sites.

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Understanding Asexuality - The Trevor Project

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It's important to remember that asexuality is an umbrella term, and exists on a spectrum. Asexual people - also known as "Ace" or "Aces" - may have little interest in having sex, even though most desire emotionally intimate relationships. Within the ace community there are many ways for people to identify.

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Amaze makes growing up less awkward. Learn about your body and relationships with fun, animated videos that answer all your questions.

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We've updated our web site!

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AMAZE - Age appropriate puberty and sex education videos

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AMAZE takes the awkward out of sex ed and growing up. Real info in fun, animated sex education videos that give you the answers you actually want to know.

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My teen says they’re nonbinary. How do we know it isn’t a phase?

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My teen says they’re nonbinary. How do we know it isn’t a phase?

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My teen says they’re nonbinary. How do we know it isn’t a phase?

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Five months ago, my 16-year-old daughter approached my husband and me and informed us that she is nonbinary. We’re not sure what to do.

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www.medscape.com needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding.

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World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s Standards of Care—Eighth Edition (SOC-8)

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https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Guide-to-Being-an-Ally-to-Transgender-and-Nonbinary-Youth.pdf

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The Coming Out Handbook - The Trevor Project

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Trevor Project: How to Support Bisexual Youth

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Trevor Project: How to Support Bisexual Youth

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Coming soon: Screened YouTube playlists for different topics

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Coming soon: Screened YouTube playlists for different topics

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Terminology for sexual orientation and gender identity or expression

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Ally | A term used to describe someone who is actively supportive of LGBTQ+ people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as well as those within the LGBTQ+ community who support each other (e.g., a lesbian who is an ally to the bisexual community).

Asexual | Often called "ace" for short, asexual refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual activity with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may experience no, little or conditional sexual attraction.

Biphobia | The fear and hatred of, or discomfort with, people who love and are sexually attracted to more than one gender.

Bisexual | A person emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to more than one sex, gender or gender identity though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree. Sometimes used interchangeably with pansexual.

Cisgender | A term used to describe a person whose gender identity aligns with those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth.

Coming Out | The process in which a person first acknowledges, accepts and appreciates their sexual orientation or gender identity and begins to share that with others.

Gay | A person who is emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to members of the same gender. Men, women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves.

Gender binary | A system in which gender is constructed into two strict categories of male or female. Gender identity is expected to align with the sex assigned at birth and gender expressions and roles fit traditional expectations.

Gender dysphoria | Clinically significant distress caused when a person's assigned birth gender is not the same as the one with which they identify.

Gender-expansive | A person with a wider, more flexible range of gender identity and/or expression than typically associated with the binary gender system. Often used as an umbrella term when referring to young people still exploring the possibilities of their gender expression and/or gender identity.

Gender expression | External appearance of one's gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, body characteristics or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.

Gender-fluid | A person who does not identify with a single fixed gender or has a fluid or unfixed gender identity.

Gender identity | One's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither - how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.

Gender non-conforming | A broad term referring to people who do not behave in a way that conforms to the traditional expectations of their gender, or whose gender expression does not fit neatly into a category. While many also identify as transgender, not all gender non-conforming people do.

Genderqueer | Genderqueer people typically reject notions of static categories of gender and embrace a fluidity of gender identity and often, though not always, sexual orientation. People who identify as "genderqueer" may see themselves as being both male and female, neither male nor female or as falling completely outside these categories.

Homophobia | The fear and hatred of or discomfort with people who are attracted to members of the same sex.

Intersex | Intersex people are born with a variety of differences in their sex traits and reproductive anatomy. There is a wide variety of difference among intersex variations, including differences in genitalia, chromosomes, gonads, internal sex organs, hormone production, hormone response, and/or secondary sex traits.

Lesbian | A woman who is emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to other women. Women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves.

LGBTQ+ | An acronym for "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer" with a "+" sign to recognize the limitless sexual orientations and gender identities used by members of our community.

Non-binary | An adjective describing a person who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Non-binary people may identify as being both a man and a woman, somewhere in between, or as falling completely outside these categories. While many also identify as transgender, not all non-binary people do. Non-binary can also be used as an umbrella term encompassing identities such as agender, bigender, genderqueer or gender-fluid.

Outing | Exposing someone's lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender or gender non-binary identity to others without their permission. Outing someone can have serious repercussions on employment, economic stability, personal safety or religious or family situations.

Pansexual | Describes someone who has the potential for emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to people of any gender though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree. Sometimes used interchangeably with bisexual.

Queer | A term people often use to express a spectrum of identities and orientations that are counter to the mainstream. Queer is often used as a catch-all to include many people, including those who do not identify as exclusively straight and/or folks who have non-binary or gender-expansive identities. This term was previously used as a slur, but has been reclaimed by many parts of the LGBTQ+ movement.

Questioning | A term used to describe people who are in the process of exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Same-gender loving | A term some prefer to use instead of lesbian, gay or bisexual to express attraction to and love of people of the same gender.

Sex assigned at birth | The sex, male, female or intersex, that a doctor or midwife uses to describe a child at birth based on their external anatomy.

Sexual orientation | An inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people. Note: an individual's sexual orientation is independent of their gender identity.

Transgender | An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Therefore, transgender people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.

Transitioning | A series of processes that some transgender people may undergo in order to live more fully as their true gender. This typically includes social transition, such as changing name and pronouns, medical transition, which may include hormone therapy or gender affirming surgeries, and legal transition, which may include changing legal name and sex on government identity documents. Transgender people may choose to undergo some, all or none of these processes.

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Ally | A term used to describe someone who is actively supportive of LGBTQ+ people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as well as those within the LGBTQ+ community who support each other (e.g., a lesbian who is an ally to the bisexual community).

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PFLAG publication for parents and family

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PFLAG publication for parents and family

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Princeton chapter: https://pflag.org/chapter/pflag-princeton
PFLAG: https://tinyurl.com/y3uk2uz4

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A rewrite of the perennial favorite PFLAG publication OUR DAUGHTERS AND SONS, OUR CHILDREN offers a fresh eye for parents, caregivers, families, and friends about what to do when a loved ones comes out. Full of useful knowledge, helpful tips, expert opinions and first-person stories, OUR CHILDREN-which has a focus on sexual orientation and gender expression--is a must read for anyone looking to learn more about how to support LGBTQ loved ones...or looking for support for themselves.

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A rewrite of the perennial favorite PFLAG publication OUR DAUGHTERS AND SONS, OUR CHILDREN offers a fresh eye for parents, caregivers, families, and friends about what to do when a loved ones comes out.