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For young people and parents / i pobl ifanc a rheini

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for young people / I pobl ifanc

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Cathays & Central Youth & Community Project | Just another WordPress site

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Impact | Cathays & Central Youth & Community Project

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Cathays & Central Youth & Community Project is Registered Charity Number 1122532 & company limited by guarantee - registered in Wales - Number 06141902

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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National LGBT+ Domestic abuse helpline number is 0800 999 5428

Email: help@galop.org.uk
Galop, the LGBT+ anti-violence charity.
If you've experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse, we're here for you. We also support lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people who have had problems with the police or have questions about the criminal justice system.
​
Gay Ammanford
www.gayammanford.com
Gay Ammanford, Carmarthenshire's only LGBT Project and Social Support Group, Do you identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender? Would you like to meet and socialise with other LGBT people in a supportive, safe and discrimination free environment, away from the gay scene?

The Wave Newport
(LGBT Youth Support Group, Newport South Wales)
Email: jen@newportpride.org.uk
Phone: 07745718701
thewavenewport.yolasite.com
Facebook: The Wave / Y Don or Newport Pride
Transgender in Wales Swansea LBGT Forum
http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=16491
http://transgenderinwales.blogspot.co.uk/
PFLAG
Free support for parents, friends and family of lesbians and gay people in the UK
http://www.pflag.co.uk/index.htm

Merthyr Tydfil LGB Group
Contact by email: merthyrtydfillgbgroup@yahoo.co.uk,
Post: Merthyr LGB Group, c/o VAMT Voluntary Action Centre 89-90 High St Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8UH,
Phone: 07852961183 (all enquiries will be dealt with during office hours, otherwise leave a message on the answerphone and the enquiry will be dealt with as soon as possible.)
Join Facebook group Gay friendly in Merthyr.

Pembrokeshire LGBT social group
For LGBT, friends and family (over 18s). This is a mixed abilities group, all welcome
Pembroke 21C Thursdays 3.30pm - 5pm
Contact 01646 629123 or 07961378407
PAPYRUS & help prevent young suicide. Call HOPELineUK 0800 068 41 41
More information about PAPYRUS prevention of young suicide is available at
www.papyrus-uk.org

South Wales Gay Men's Chorus
SWGMC is non-auditioned male-voice choir based in Cardiff in South Wales, UK. Our members hail from all over South Wales and come together in Cardiff for weekly rehearsals and post-rehearsal drinks. ​
www.swgmc.com

True Colours
LGBT and Allies singing group. Meet Monday evenings in Swansea for a fun and friendly sing along and a chat. there are no auditions, you don't have to be a great singer or read music. Check out our website for details www.truecolours.wales or Contact 07837920234 9am-7pm.

Domestic Abuse Counselling
Waves is a confidential counselling and outreach service provided by specialist trained counsellors. If you have experienced any form of domestic violence /abuse or family violence, this service may be for you. ​By providing therapy and individual support for people, this project aims to enable people to make positive changes in their lives. ​The waves project also aims to make its services available to anyone who does not usually have access to therapy; people on low incomes, young people, disabled people, women, men, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender + Community (LGBT+).
https://www.wavescounsellingproject.com/about-us

A comprehensive resource for people in the UK searching for support in the transgender community. Our easy to use, mobile friendly directory connects you to an established network of trans support groups near you. Many transgender individuals experience negative mental health issues due to the prejudice and other biases they face. Research suggests that our community faces a greater risk for depression, anxiety, and addiction or substance abuse.
https://www.transunite.co.uk/

​
Please e-mail us if you would like us to include your organisation.
​All links posted on our website are for information purposes only and do not represent the views of LGBT Cymru Helpline.

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National LGBT+ Domestic abuse helpline number is 0800 999 5428 Email: help@galop.org.uk Galop, the LGBT+ anti-violence charity. If you've experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse, we're here for you. We also support lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people who have had problems with the police or have questions about the criminal justice system.

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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About Belong

Youth Cymru and The Amber Project are working in partnership on a new project for young people (aged 12-16) who identify as transgender, or are questioning their gender identity, and have experience of self-harm.

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Support for Trans young people affected by self harm

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What we do?

We run creative workshops in a friendly, caring and supportive atmosphere, with the option to a counsellor during the session.

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Where & When?

The workshops takes place weekly on a Thursday evening (4.30 - 6.30) at The Quaker Meeting House, 43 Charles Street, Cardiff, CF10 2GB
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For any enquires or to make a referral, please contact Rachel Benson -

rachel@youthcymru.org.uk / 01443 827840

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You might be interested in...

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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7 Things Asexual People Want You To Know

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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First, let's get on the same page with some words that are commonly used when talking about the LGBTQ+ community, as well as gender experience and identity. Please be aware that even though someone may fit the generally used definition of one of these terms, they may not personally identify this way. That's okay, they don't have to! It's always best to ask, and listen, to how a person refers to themself.

Sex: Sex is a label - male, female or intersex - that you're assigned by a doctor at birth based on the genitals you're born with and the chromosomes you have. It does not necessarily match someone's gender / gender identity.

Gender: Gender is complex: It's a social and legal status, and set of expectations from society, about behaviors, characteristics, and thoughts. Gender identity is the internal perception of one's gender, and how they label themselves, based on how much they align or don't align with what they understand their options for gender to be.

Cisgender: Applies to someone whose gender matches their "assigned" sex at birth.

Transgender: Applies to a person whose gender is different from their "assigned" sex at birth. Doctors typically assign gender based on sexual organs, but sex and gender are different.

Non-binary: Non-binary, similar to genderqueer, is a spectrum of gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or exclusively feminine‍-‌identities that are outside the gender binary of male and female.

Genderqueer: Similar to "non-binary" - some people regard "queer" as offensive, others embrace it.

Genderfluid: Applies to a person whose gender identity changes over time or changes at different times.

Two-spirit: Used by some indigenous people to describe their sexual, gender, or spiritual identity. Refers to an individual who has a feminine and masculine spirit.

Note that Sexual Orientation is an emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people; of the same gender, different gender or multiple genders.

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Understanding Pronouns - LGBT Life Center

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First, let's get on the same page with some words that are commonly used when talking about the LGBTQ+ community, as well as gender experience and identity. Please be aware that even though someone may fit the generally used definition of one of these terms, they may not personally identify this way.

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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What are the symptoms of gender dysphoria? Transgender man explains

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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The Science of Being Transgender ft. Gigi Gorgeous

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What is gender identity?

People can often feel uncomfortable when talking about gender identity, sex and sexuality, and can get these terms confused.

A person's 'sex' describes biological differences between the female and male genitalia. A child's sex is usually assigned at birth.

A person's 'gender' describes a person's internal sense of their identity. For example, you might identify as a girl, or a boy, or neither - or a variation. The first person to develop an awareness of their gender identity is most likely to be the child itself.

There is an increasing recognition that for some people, gender is a spectrum, and that people may express themselves in many different ways, as being at one end or the other, for example male or female, or in the middle (non-binary). For others, where they are on this spectrum may change or fluctuate at different times. People who identify as non-binary may also refer to themselves as 'gender fluid', or 'gender queer').

A transgender person self-identifies their gender as being different to the sex they were assigned at birth. Questions around gender identity can emerge at any time. There is a wide range of reported experiences. Some individuals know from childhood that they feel mis-gendered, while others might not recognise this until adulthood. It might also be apparent to the parents from an early age. It can be unhelpful to describe being transgender as a choice. Gender identity is a deep-rooted, sense of self. Transgender people have been with us throughout the history of humankind.

We usually take gender for granted. Most people identify with either 'she' or 'he' pronouns but these labels are not by any means the sum total of anyone's identity. Having a sense of identity is really important because it helps us to be resilient.

You may hear doctors referring to 'gender dysphoria', or 'gender identity disorder' (GID), 'gender
incongruence' or 'transgenderism', when they are diagnosing your child.

How can I help my child?

If you are someone who doesn't feel certain about your gender, life can be very stressful, and there may be times when you feel that you don't fit in anywhere. Young people experiencing gender identity issues can experience stigma, bullying, isolation and even violence from others. They might struggle with internalised unhappiness and using coping mechanisms like self-harm. But there are things you can do to help and to make your child feel supported.

These are things which can really make a difference:

1. Your acceptance and support is vital for your child if they are confused about, or coming to terms with their gender-identity. Fear of negative judgement and rejection can be huge obstacles in your child seeking support.

2. Your child might be questioning their gender. This doesn't necessarily mean that they are trans, but they may be. It is a journey of discovery and expression; go at their pace and try help them as much as you can.

3. Find out as much as you can about the issues, including support in services, in school and in the community. You may need to be their advocate in talking to school, college or health professionals, if and when the time is right.

4. Communication is everything; being open-minded is the best approach. Whatever happens, they are still your child.

5. Be patient if they don't want to talk about it and be supportive when they are ready.

6. It's understandable to feel upset, anxious, scared and experience a sense of loss if your child is transitioning. Being honest about that is really important. Sharing your experiences with other families in the same situation. There are organisations (below) who can help you with this.

7. Ask your child how they want to be addressed - whether it's 'he'/'him' or 'she'/'her' or something else. If you make a mistake, correct yourself or allow yourself to be corrected, and continue to try. Most young people will recognise you are making an effort, showing them respect, and doing their best to meet their preferences.

8. You don't need to learn all the terms and language - your child will steer you, and it's a good opportunity to show your support in being receptive to what they say.

9. Be alert for signs of withdrawal, depression, self-harm or suicidal thoughts. If you notice any of these behaviours tell your child that you are there for them, and seek support from your GP.

10. Respect your child's boundaries. It can be insensitive and uncomfortable to ask very personal, intimate or intrusive questions - so ask if it's okay to ask, and respect the answer. Think about how you might feel if your parent asked you something deeply personal or intrusive.

11. There is a vibrant online trans community - offering support and sharing experiences and ways to make your child feel more comfortable being themselves with or without medical intervention. This can include information on things like using make-up, dealing with negative reactions and finding things like gender-neutral hairdressers.

Gender Identity Development Service

The Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) is England's only NHS service for children and young people experiencing difficulties in the development of their gender identity. The service has main clinics in London and Leeds, as well as satellite clinics elsewhere across England in places like Exeter.

GIDS has a staged approach to supporting young people. Every young person is different and will be treated as an individual. If your child is referred to GIDS, first they will have a full psychosocial assessment, which is usually three to six appointments with two experts. They will work with your child, and family, to explore your child's understanding of their gender identity, and to talk about how their feelings may have changed over time, and how they might change in future.

Depending on your child's age and the issues they want to explore, a meeting can be arranged with a paediatric endocrinologist either for possible hormone blocking treatment, or to help determine whether or not your child has started puberty.

Hormone blocking is a physically reversible intervention: if your child stops taking the blocker their body will continue to develop as it was previously. However, the full psychological effects of the blocker, or whether it changes the course of adolescent brain development, are not completely known. Blockers give young people time to consider their options and to continue to explore their developing gender identity before making decisions about irreversible forms of treatment.

In some cases, cross-sex hormones, (oestrogen or testosterone) might be considered, but these can only be prescribed from age 16, and after your child has spent a minimum of 12 months on hormone blockers. Cross-sex hormones will cause some irreversible changes to the body. For example, oestrogen will cause the growth of breast tissues, and testosterone will cause the voice to break. Any decisions to prescribe cross-sex hormones will not just take into account your child's gender identity, but also their emotional wellbeing and physical health.

Where can I get help?

Support for young people (up to 19yrs) with gender identity issues, and their families. Teens

Forum and Parents Forum on their website.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0844 334 0550 (09:00 - 21:00)

Mobile only: 0344 334 0550 (09:00 - 21:00)

Pink Therapy

UK's largest independent therapy organisation working with gender and sexual diversity clients.
Gendered Intelligence

Working with the trans community, particularly specialising in supporting young trans people aged 8-25. Includes resources for trans and gender questioning young people, and their families.

LGBT and anti-violence charity, incl. trans advocacy service. National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline runs a tran specific service, staffed by trans members of the team.

0800 999 5428 Tuesdays 13:00 to 17:00

Information and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people.

Helpline: 020 7593 1850 (Mon-Fri 09:30-17:30)

MindEd for families is a website where you can hear about other parents' experiences and find clear, helpful guidance on children and young people's mental health and wellbeing

YoungMinds Crisis Messenger

Provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis

If you need urgent help text YM to 85258

All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors

Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

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Supporting Your Child with Gender Identity Issues

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People can often feel uncomfortable when talking about gender identity, sex and sexuality, and can get these terms confused. A person's 'sex' describes biological differences between the female and male genitalia. A child's sex is usually assigned at birth. A person's 'gender' describes a person's internal sense of their identity.

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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OutLife | the home of health, advice and support for LGBTQ+ people

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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What is sexual orientation?

Sexual orientation is a term that is used to describe what gender, or genders, someone is attracted to. The most common sexual orientations that people identify with are straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual, but there's a whole pile of other terms and language around it that are important to know too. Make sure not to confuse it with gender identity - sexual orientation describes what gender or genders you're attracted to, and gender identity describes what gender or genders you are.

Please note, that although we tried to list as many terms as we can here, sexual orientation is a super complex issue, and new terms are being developed to describe different orientations and ways of thinking about sexual orientation and attraction all the time. It's always important to respect everyone's sexual orientation, even if they identify as something you've never heard of before.

Remember, sexual orientation can be fluid, and many people identify as different orientations at different stages of their lives. It's totally fine to question your sexual orientation, and to identify with something different than what you did before.

We understand also that if you feel your particular sexual orientation isn't represented or accurately described by any popular terms, you might feel pretty alienated and alone. But you should try to realise that whatever you identify with is absolutely fine and great, even if there's no popular word out there that describes it. You might just be a bit ahead of your time, and society and language will catch up with you eventually.

A-Z of sexual orientation​

Asexual

Asexual is the term used to describe people who feel little or no sexual attraction to anyone. This is totally normal and may be more common than you think.

Bisexual

This is the term used to describe people who are sexually attracted to more than one gender. It is sometimes shortened to just "bi".

Biphobia

Biphobia is the word for the discrimination and prejudice that bisexual people face.

Closeted

This is a terms used to describe when someone is not currently open with others about their sexual orientation or gender identity. How "closeted" someone is may vary depending on the context. For example, some people may be closeted at work or school but not at home.

Coming out

This is the process of accepting your sexual orientation or gender identity, and becoming open about that with both yourself, and others.

Gay

This is used to describe people who are exclusively attracted to members of the same gender. Some gay women will prefer to refer to themselves as lesbians.

Heteronormative

Heteronormative is the term used to describe the belief that that to be heterosexual and cisgender is the only natural way of living, and that anything else is outside of the norm, unusual or deviant.

Heterosexism

This is a form of prejudice or bias that believes that heterosexual relationships between cisgender people are somehow superior, more natural, or deserving of better treatment than gay or lesbian relationships, or relationships between transgender people.

Heterosexual

This the word used to describe someone who is exclusively attracted to members of the opposite gender.

Homophobia

Homophobia is a form of prejudice or discrimination faced by lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

Homosexual

This a word used to describe someone who is exclusively attracted to members of the same sex. Many gay and lesbian people will prefer to simply be referred to as gay or lesbian.

Lesbian

This is a word used to describe women who are exclusively attracted to other women. Some of these women will prefer to simply describe themselves as gay.

LGBTQIA+

LGBTQIA+ is a commonly used acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex or Asexual. The + sign is to signify other categories of gender and sexual orientation that aren't accurately described by these terms.

MSM

An acronym for "men who have sex with men". People who fall under this category do not necessarily identify as gay or bisexual, but may be straight men who have had sexual experiences with men at different stages of their life.

Outing

This is when a person publicly declares someone else to be LGBTQIA+. It is often against the will of the LGBTQIA+ person.

Pansexual

This is used to describe someone who is attracted to people irrespective of gender identity and expression.

Pride

Pride is an international movement that encourages LGBTQIA+ people to celebrate their sexual orientation or gender identity, that challenges ongoing discrimination and oppression of LGBTQIA+ people, and that increases the public visibility of LGBTQIA+ people. In the UK, most Pride celebrations take place during the summer months.

Queer

Queer is an umbrella term used to describe people who do not fall into a traditional gender role or sexual orientation. Essentially, it can be used to describe anyone who is not heterosexual and cisgender. However, it has historically been used as a slur against LGBTQIA+ people, and some will still be pretty offended by it. As such, it's only ok to use it about another person if that person self-identifies as queer.

Questioning

This is when someone is unsure of their sexual orientation or gender identity and are in the process of questioning it. Many people go through phases of questioning in their life, whether they're straight, gay, bi, lesbian, trans or cis, and this is absolutely fine.

Sexual orientation

Sexual orientation is a term used to describe what gender or genders someone is attracted to.

Straight

A term used to describe people who are exclusively attracted to members of the opposite gender. It can be used interchangeably with heterosexual.

You can contact the LGBT Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 or or find details of local switchboards and organisations that offer face-to-face counselling at www.switchboard.lgbt www.turingnetwork.org.uk .

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Sexual orientation is a term that is used to describe what gender, or genders, someone is attracted to. The most common sexual orientations that people identify with are straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual, but there's a whole pile of other terms and language around it that are important to know too.

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For young people

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How does advocacy work?

Advocates can offer support by:

Providing you with the information you need to understand your rights, make informed decisions and access the different avenues of support available to you

Helping you to explore your options and develop the skills and confidence you need to navigate services

Empowering you to speak and, in complex cases, speaking with the third party organization on your behalf, in order to advocate for the protection of your rights.* This can include attending advocacy focused meetings within the Manchester area.

*Because the aim of the advocacy service is to empower trans people, we will encourage you to find ways of speaking for yourself before speaking on your behalf

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Advocates can offer support by: Providing you with the information you need to understand your rights, make informed decisions and access the different avenues of support available to you Helping you to explore your options and develop the skills and confidence you need to navigate services Empowering you to speak and, in complex cases, speaking with the third party organization on your behalf, in order to advocate for the protection of your rights.* This can include attending advocacy focused meetings within the Manchester area.

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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Need Help?

It's important you get the help and support you need.

If you need help and advice on any issue, the following organisations are experienced in dealing with your concerns. Some of these organisations also provide counselling advice.

Always remember, if you are ever in immediate danger you should always call 999.

Equality and human rights issues

Equality Advisory and Support Service (England, Scotland, Wales) offer free, confidential advice and support if you feel you have been discriminated against or if you feel your human rights have been breached.

Travel advice

GOV.UK offers travel advice specifically for LGB&T people travelling abroad. Click here for country or territory specific advice.

Revenge Porn

Revenge Porn Helpline provide free, confidential advice and support for all victims of revenge porn.

Hate crime

True Vision provide advice on hate crime, how to report it, and where to get support .

GOV.UK also provides advice on how to report hate crime.

Trans health

NHS offers transgender health advice and support.

The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust's Gender Identity Development Service offers health advice and support to young people presenting with difficulties with their gender identity.

LGB health advice

NHS offers LGB health information and support.

Domestic abuse

Galop is a national LGB&T domestic abuse helpline.

Young people under 25

The Mix (formerly Get Connected) provide phone, email or web chat support on any issue. Also includes a comprehensive searchable directory of other LGB&T support services.

Children and young people up to the age of 19

Childline provides free, confidential advice, support and counselling on any issue.

If you require emotional support

Samaritans provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide.

If you need more information or guidance on your rights, the following links below might be helpful.

Gender Identity

Information on Application for a Gender Recognition Certificate (and how this interacts with marriage.)

Marriage

How to apply for a Marriage or Civil Partnership in the UK.

Discrimination

There is a range of guidance and advice on your rights.

GOV.UK has information on discrimination and your rights.

Guidance for employers and service providers on supporting and including transgender customers and recruiting and retaining transgender staff.

Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance for workers.

Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance for service users.

There is also information on the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Crime

Information on how to get a historical conviction for consensual gay sex deleted from the record.

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Need Help? It's important you get the help and support you need. If you need help and advice on any issue, the following organisations are experienced in dealing with your concerns. Some of these organisations also provide counselling advice. Always remember, if you are ever in immediate danger you should always call 999.

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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Overview
Around the world, people are under attack for who they are.
Living as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) person can be life-threatening in a number of countries across the globe. For those who do not live with a daily immediate risk to their life, discrimination on the basis of one's sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression and sex characteristics, can have a devastating effect on physical, mental and emotional well-being for those forced to endure it.

Discrimination and violence against LGBTI people can come in many forms, from name-calling, bullying, harassment, and gender-based violence, to being denied a job or appropriate healthcare. Protests to uphold the rights of LGBTI people also face suppression across the globe.

The range of unequal treatment faced is extensive and damaging and could be based on:

your sexual orientation (who you're attracted to)

gender identity (how you self-identify, irrespective of the sex assigned at birth)

gender expression (how you express your gender, for example through your clothing, hair or mannerisms),

sex characteristics (for example, your genitals, chromosomes, reproductive organs, or hormone levels.)

Amnesty International campaigns to protect and uphold the rights of LGBTI people globally, including their right to life, freedom and safety.

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What does it mean to be LGBTI?

The term LGBTI refers to a broad category of people, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex, although we recognize that there are many terms around the world that are used by people to define their sexual orientation or gender identity. The terminology used can vary widely depending on historical, cultural and societal contexts.

It is well established in international human rights law that states must take steps to safeguard the rights of LGBTI people.

Gender identity vs sexual orientation

Gender identity refers to each person's deeply felt internal and individual sense of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth. An individual's gender identity may be that of a man, woman, or outside the binary categories of man and woman; it may also be more than one gender, fluid across genders or no gender at all.

Sexual orientation refers to a person's capacity for profound emotional, affectionate and sexual attraction to, and intimate and sexual relations with other people. People experience sexual and romantic attraction differently. You can be attracted to people of a different gender, or the same gender as you. Some people are asexual, meaning they experience little to no sexual attraction.

What does it mean to be transgender?

Transgender (or trans) people have a gender identity that is different from typical expectations of the gender they were assigned at birth.

Some trans people might decide to get legal gender recognition or undergo gender affirmative interventions to help them feel more confident or comfortable living as their true gender.

Being transgender has nothing to do with a person's sexual orientation. You can be a trans man and be gay - or be a trans woman and be lesbian.

Not all transgender people identify as male or female. Some identify as more than one gender or no gender at all and might use terms like non-binary, agender, genderqueer or gender fluid to describe their gender identity.

What is gender affirmation?

Some trans people decide to affirm their gender identity, which is the process of living your life as the gender you identify with.

There is no single gender-affirming process. Some people may adopt new pronouns, change their name, apply for legal gender recognition, and/or undergo gender-affirming surgery or hormone therapy.

What is gender recognition?

Gender recognition, in theory, allows trans people to align their legally recognized gender with that of their own gender identity. For some trans people, having their gender legally recognized is an essential step towards being able to live freely, authentically and openly.

Unfortunately, even in countries where it is possible to affirm one's gender identity legally, the process is often dehumanizing, long and expensive.

In some countries, trans people need medical proof before they can get their gender identity legally recognized. This can be an invasive process and also reinforces the misinformed view that being trans is an illness. Unfortunately, despite the World Health Organization updating their guidelines to no longer recognize being transgender as a 'disorder', this attitude, is still prevalent in many societies around the world.

Requiring transgender people to undergo unnecessary medical treatments to obtain legal gender recognition violates their right to the highest attainable standard of health, which is protected under international human rights law, including by the UN Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

For transgender people, official identity documents reflecting their gender identity are vitally important for the enjoyment of their human rights. They are not only crucial when travelling but also for everyday life. States must ensure that transgender people can obtain legal recognition of their gender through a quick, accessible and transparent procedure in accordance with the individual's own sense of their gender identity while preserving their right to privacy.

What does it mean to be non-binary?

Non-binary people have a gender identity that exists outside the categories of male and female. It is an umbrella term for various gender identities that lie outside of the gender binary. While some non-binary people may identify as trans, others may not.

Some non-binary people may use gender-neutral pronouns, such as they/them. Others may use a combination of gendered and gender-neutral pronouns, such as they/he or she/they. It is important to always respect people's pronouns. If you aren't sure what words to use to describe them, find polite ways to ask them.

There is an assumption that everyone's physical, hormonal and chromosomal characteristics fit neatly into either male or female. But that is not always the case, an estimated 1.7% of children in the world are born every year with variations of sex characteristics.

These variations are diverse; for instance, some children have genitalia outside the standard norms of male and female bodies, others have female reproductive organs but have XY (male) chromosomes, or male reproductive organs and XX (female) chromosomes.

These characteristics might be present at birth or become more apparent during or after puberty.

Many people with intersex variations are forced to undergo invasive, non-emergency and irreversible "normalizing" surgeries, often when they are children, and therefore cannot consent, but sometimes this can happen later in life. Many people Amnesty International has spoken to that have gone through such surgeries reported lasting negative impacts on their physical and mental health, sexual lives, psychological well-being and gender identity.

When performed without informed consent or adequate information, these surgeries violate people's right to physical bodily integrity and may have long-term consequences on their right to health and their sexual and reproductive rights, particularly since they can severely impede people's fertility.

Discrimination against LGBTI people

We are each protected against discrimination based on our sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression and sex characteristics under international human rights law.

However, in practice, authorities in many countries that have signed international treaties, committing them to protect human rights, continue to implement and introduce legislations that singles out and discriminates against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.

There are 64 countries around the world which have laws that criminalize homosexuality, many of which can be traced back to European colonization.

In some countries, such as Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Uganda and in the northern states in Nigeria, people can be sentenced to the death penalty if they engage in consensual same-sex sexual acts.

Discrimination goes beyond being criminally prosecuted for being an LGBTI person and can include limited access to healthcare, difficulty in securing employment, bullying or harassment in the workplace and much more.

LGBTI identity and intersectionality

Intersectionality is a term coined by black, feminist legal academic, Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw, and was first publicly explained in her 1989 essay ' Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex.'

The term 'intersectionality' was originally used to describe the multiple forms of inequality and discrimination black women face in the USA but has now become an international marker for defining ways that different forms of oppression and discrimination intersect with each other.

Many countries of the Global South may have their own knowledge and experiences of addressing intersecting oppression. Feminist academic Nivedita Menon gives the example of India - stating that there has been a long history of engaging with multiple, intersecting identities that can be traced back to the anti-imperialist struggle, without any reference to Crenshaw's work.

For example, an LGBTI person may experience discrimination because of their gender identity or sexual orientation, and oppression because of their race, class, caste, religion, ethnicity, (dis)ability, or age. In order to fight back against systems that oppress LGBTI people, we need to deconstruct all systems of oppression, including racism, imperialism, ableism, sexism, xenophobia, ageism or classism.

Pride as a Protest

What is Pride?

While Pride is often perceived as a celebration it originally began as a riot against police brutality at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. On 28 June 1969, the Stonewall Inn was raided by the police, as it had been on many occasions before, due to laws which required a 'man' or a 'woman' to be wearing clothing items which 'matched' their gender on their state-issued ID. As the LGBTI community in the Stonewall Inn, primarily led by trans women of colour, fought back, police brutality increased amid six days of riots which was a galvanizing force for LGBTI activism in the USA.

In many states around the world, Pride is still centrally and most importantly a protest which highlights, commemorates, and fights for the rights of LGBTI people.

Pride is marked differently in countries across the world. Many communities organize parades, marches and concerts that bring LGBTI people, allies, and the public together. But in other places, pride is actively shut down by governments and law enforcement agencies, leading to security risks for those participating.

While Pride has increasingly become one of the most visible modes of celebrating queer joy and resistance, LGBTI activism, protest and ways of coming together as a community have always existed across the world in different iterations. There are also several places in the world where Pride as a concept may not resonate with local LGBTI people, and they prefer to celebrate their identities in subtler, more locally relevant ways.

Amnesty is committed to ending discrimination against LGBTI people around the world.
We learn from the lived experiences of LGBTI people and make recommendations to governments and other influential leaders on how to improve laws. For example, our research on the rights of intersex people was one of the first of its kind from a human rights perspective and strongly influenced new laws in Denmark, Finland, Greece and Norway.

Amnesty also helps activists around the world by producing resources on various issues that affect LGBTI people. This work takes many forms, from an advocacy toolkit for activists countering discrimination in Sub-Saharan Africa to the Body Politics series aimed at increasing awareness around the criminalization of sexuality and reproduction.

There is still a lot of work to do and we endeavour to continue to push for the fulfilment of all the rights of LGBTI people, in close collaboration with partners, LGBTI groups and activists across the globe.

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Around the world, people are under attack for who they love, how they dress, and who they are.

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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Tips and advice on how to stay safe online

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How do i tell my parents im gay? / Sut ydw in dweud i fy rhieni fi'n hoyw?

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How do i tell my parents im gay? / Sut ydw in dweud i fy rhieni fi'n hoyw?

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How to tell my parents booklet / sut i dweud i rhieni

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How to tell my parents booklet / sut i dweud i rhieni

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FFLAG Trans how do I tell my parents booklet

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Wanda Sykes Takes Us Through the History of LGBTQ+ — Now You Know

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For young people and parents / i pobl ifanc a rhieni

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What is sexuality?

Your sexuality is the way you describe sexual, emotional and physical feelings or attractions you have towards another person. You may be attracted to people of the same gender, or a different gender, or you might not experience sexual attraction at all. These are all things which make up your sexuality - it is about more than just who you have sex with.

It is important to remember that there is no 'right' or 'wrong' sexuality; it is simply about how you personally identify and experience attraction. There are lots of different ways people may identify their sexuality:

asexual/ace/aromantic: someone who experiences little or no sexual attraction to others, or interest in sexual relationships or behaviour

bisexual/bi: main attraction towards more than one gender

gay: a person who is mostly attracted to people of the same gender

heterosexual/straight: someone whose main attraction is towards people of a different gender

lesbian: someone who identifies as female and is mostly attracted to others who identify as female.

pansexual/pan: a person who has feelings/attraction for people of all gender identities

queer: A term used to describe a wide range of gender identities and sexualities that are not heterosexual or cisgender. It can mean different things to different people.

demisexual: someone who experiences little or no sexual attraction until romantic feelings develop

For a fuller list of different terms, visit Stonewall.

You may describe your sexuality using one of these terms, or a different term, or none at all. It's completely your choice and what feels right for you.

How might sexuality impact your mental health?

Having any particular sexual orientation does not mean you have a mental health problem. But the experiences you have because of your sexuality can impact your mental health. Sometimes, people are bullied, treated differently or badly because of their sexuality. You might be made to feel different from those around you, or might have friends or family who don't understand or support your sexuality.

Society may treat you differently, not understand your sexuality, or not accept it. There may be places where you don't feel safe or comfortable. These are all experiences or feelings that can leave you feeling upset, worried or isolated.

You may not have experienced these things directly yourself, but have witnessed or heard of people being treated badly because of their sexuality. Understandably, this might make you feel afraid of sharing your sexuality with others, especially if it's for the first time.

You might experience:

feeling different from other people, like you don't fit in

being stereotyped or put in a certain 'box'

prejudice about your sexuality

bullying, or being treated differently by others

not feeling safe to show affection to your partner in public

feeling 'invisible' because you may not have role models or people around you who share similar feelings and experiences

not having support from - or not being accepted by - those closest to you, like friends or family

people mislabelling your sexuality

Remember: It is illegal for people to treat you differently because of your sexuality. Find out more about your rights under the Equality Act 2010

Having negative experiences, or seeing others being discriminated against or mistreated because of their sexuality on the news, in the media or in public, can be extremely upsetting and distressing. As a result you may feel:

scared about coming out and what people might say or how they might react

that you need to hide your sexuality

under pressure to label your sexuality when you may not be sure or not want to

confused about your sexuality

that you need to change your sexuality and be someone you're not

self-conscious around others

difficulty meeting new people as you might feel like you need to come out every time you meet someone new

lonely and isolated

Whether you have these experiences one time, or on a regular basis, it can have an impact on your mental health and how you think and feel about yourself. You may find yourself feeling down, anxious or isolated. Constantly carrying these emotions can be exhausting, and you may have difficulty concentrating or trouble doing everyday tasks like eating or sleeping. But there are steps you can take to get the help and support you deserve.

No one deserves to be treated differently because of their sexuality, and you should be able to live freely and without fear. In recent years, society has come a long way in ensuring there is equality for LGBTQIA+ people with laws such as the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act. While there is still much more to be done, it can be helpful to remember there are people working hard every day to create a more equal society.

What you can do to look after your mental health

Here are some things that you can do to look after your mental health:

Talk

Talking to somebody you trust about how you're feeling and what you've experienced can really help. You could talk to close friends, family, parents, a teacher you get on with, a counsellor or mentor. You might not know exactly what to say and that's okay. Talking to someone can help you to understand how you feel, and helps people around you think about how they can support you.

Write it down

If you don't feel comfortable talking to anyone or you're not sure what you want to say, writing your thoughts down can help. You could also write down positive quotes or messages that help you feel good and stick them up in your living space so that you can look at them each day.

Find your 'safe spaces'

Finding a 'safe space' where you can focus on your mental health can help you switch off and feel calm. This could be a local LGBTQIA+ group in your community, at school, or online. Or your 'safe space' could be a hobby that you enjoy doing, a favourite show you enjoy watching, or a chat with a friend who makes you feel safe.

Create boundaries to prioritise your mental health

Sometimes conversations can be uncomfortable. If you start to feel uncomfortable or trapped in a situation, simply walking away can help create a boundary for you. If you can, remove yourself from whoever is upsetting you so that you can take a moment to breathe and calm your thoughts.

If things are difficult at home, see our blog on how to look after your mental health in a difficult living environment.

If you feel unsafe and you're at risk you can:

report a Hate Crime: https://www.report-it.org.uk/your_police_force

text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger for free 24/7 support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. If you need urgent help, text YM to 85258.

call Childline for free to speak to someone about what's happening and how you're feeling.

call 999 if you are in an emergency and there is risk to life (either your own or another person's)

Find role models

There are lots of people, whether they are people you know or influencers online, that can help you to feel positive and empowered. It can help to see other people like you who are going through a similar journey.

Clean your social media feed

If you are seeing things online that make you feel upset or pressured, remember you can mute, block or unfollow accounts that bring you down. Taking breaks from social media can really help too - so try deleting your apps for a weekend and seeing if it helps. For more tips on how to have positive time online take a look at our social media and mental health page.

Tips from our Activists

Our Activists share their advice on sexuality and how they look after their mental health.

Talking about your sexuality with others

Sharing your sexuality with others for the first time is often called 'coming out'. It can feel scary or daunting to talk about your sexuality for the first time with someone, especially if you aren't sure what they'll say or how they'll react.

If you're nervous about how someone might respond, you could try asking them for their thoughts on an LGBTQIA+ topic first. This might help you understand their thoughts better, and get a feeling for whether they're likely to be supportive.

Before you have the conversation, consider what your boundaries are, e.g. how much you do and don't want to share. Writing down what you are going to say first can also help if you are feeling nervous. You might want to consider an 'exit plan' too - a way to remove yourself from the conversation if you start to feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Dhyana's story: My mental health while questioning my sexuality

My personal experience, in all honesty, has not been straightforward. There has been a lot of questioning in my life around my sexuality, and I'm still not sure.

I worry that not knowing where I belong within the LGBTQ+ community means that I won't be accepted. This worries me because it doesn't leave many places where I feel like I belong, which can affect my mood.

I really began questioning my sexuality over this past year and a half, and this has had a big impact on my mental health due to all the uncertainty and anxiety. But I have managed to keep going by looking at people that inspire me. They in their own way have shown me that a little of self-love goes a long way. Taking time for yourself every now and then is so important when struggling with mental health.

To continue reading Dhyana's story, visit ' Looking after my mental whilst questioning my sexuality'.

For more advice and tips on sexuality and mental health, look at our blogs:

What if I don't want to come out?

Some people find it really empowering to speak about their sexuality, whereas others might not want to. Sometimes, you may feel pressure to 'come out', and feel that others have a right to know your sexuality when you don't want to share or you're not ready. Or, it may not be safe for you to come out if you're not sure about how someone will react.

Remember, it's okay not to share your sexuality if you don't want to; you have no obligation to and it's up to you who you talk to. Whether you're inviting people to know about your sexuality or not, everyone's experience is different, and they are all valid.

Supporting a friend with their sexuality

If you want to support a friend with their sexuality:

be visible in your support for the LGBTIQA+ community. This is called being an ally

learning as much as you can about the experiences/challenges faced by the LGBTIQA+ community

join part of a movement for change. Many organisations campaign for LGBTIQA+ equality and you can help them campaign and spread the word

call out discrimination when you see/hear it

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Your sexuality is the way you describe sexual, emotional and physical feelings or attractions you have towards another person. You may be attracted to people of the same gender, or a different gender, or you might not experience sexual attraction at all.

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What is Sexual Orientation discrimination? We explain its definition, areas covered and what constitutes discrimination.

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Sexual Orientations Explained: Lesbian, Gay, Heterosexual and Bisexual

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Your sexual orientation is a way to describe the feelings you have for someone you fancy, want to date or be in a relationship with. You might fancy people of a different gender, the same gender or more than one gender. You might not fancy anyone at all and that's fine too!

Some interesting things to think about:

We don't know what causes someone's sexual orientation, but we know that it isn't a choice - no one can change who they fancy. Sexual orientation is a part of who we are.

You can't tell what someone's sexual orientation is by looking at them - the only real way to know this is if they tell you.

Someone else can't tell you what your sexual orientation is - only you know how you feel and you should never feel pressured to label yourself.

Some people know their sexual orientation from a young age and some people take a while to work out what makes them feel comfortable. This is completely fine - everyone is unique.

Because these feelings are personal and because everyone is different, there are a lot of different labels that are used to describe sexual orientation. The labels that a lot of people (including organisations) use are:

Lesbian - girls who fancy girls. Some girls may prefer to be called gay, but others prefer to be called a lesbian.

Gay - when boys fancy boys or girls fancy girls. Although more commonly used for boys, 'gay' applies to girls too.

Bisexual/bi - when people fancy a range of people. This could mean a boy fancying other boys and girls, or people who are non-binary (for more information on what non-binary means, click here).

Straight/heterosexual - when girls fancy boys or boys fancy girls.

A lot of people don't like labels but sometimes it's useful to have some common words that everyone understands, just to make life a bit easier. For example, a sexual health clinic might hold a 'lesbian drop-in' session to offer help just to women who fancy women. The fact that everybody knows what is meant by a service for lesbians means that the right people will use it, which is really important.

There are a lot of other labels that are used - some you might have heard of, some you might not. Here are a few more, but there are many others:

Queer- a term that some people use who aren't straight. Although some older people might find this word offensive as it was often used to insult gay people, a lot of people nowadays have reclaimed the word and use it because they don't like other labels.

Pansexual/pan - people who fancy people of any gender. This might be someone who says that they don't think someone's gender is important when they fancy people.

Asexual/ace - people who don't fancy others. Some people find that they don't want to date or be in a relationship with other people because they don't feel any attraction to them.

Some people will feel that these words describe their feelings properly while others won't. Your sexual orientation is personal and it's your business - whether or not you decide to use a label.

For further information please call Stonewall's Information Service on 08000 502020, tweet to @StonewallUKInfo or email info@stonewall.org.uk

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Your sexual orientation is a way to describe the feelings you have for someone you fancy, want to date or be in a relationship with. You might fancy people of a different gender, the same gender or more than one gender. You might not fancy anyone at all and that's fine too!

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OutLife | the home of health, advice and support for LGBTQ+ people