Gender Identity
Neurodiversity Hub Wirral
Understanding gender identity
Gender identity is how someone feels about their own gender. Some people feel the same as the sex they were given at birth, and some do not.
A person may be assigned male at birth but identify as female. A person may be assigned female at birth but identify as male. Some people do not identify as male or female. Some people may feel both male and female at different times.
People express their gender in different ways. This may be through clothes, hair, voice, or how they act.
When gender feels uncomfortable
Some people feel discomfort or distress when the sex they were given at birth does not match the gender they identify with. This is called gender dysphoria (GD).
There is some evidence that autistic people may be more likely to experience gender dysphoria. We do not yet know why. Some recent research also shows that the link may not be simple. More research is needed. We also need better tools and support for autistic people who have gender dysphoria.
If a young person feels discomfort about their gender identity, they may feel lonely, unhappy, or separate from other teenagers.
Gender identity issues are not a mental health condition. But a young person may still struggle with their mental health if they feel stressed, confused, or unsupported.
There may be social pressure from friends, classmates or family to behave in a certain way. A young person may also face bullying or harassment for being different. This can affect self‑esteem and school performance.
These difficulties can affect emotional and mental wellbeing. Some young people may experience high levels of distress. Depression is also common for young people who feel uncomfortable with their gender.
Where to get support
If a young person feels unsure or distressed about their gender identity, it is important they talk to a trusted adult.
This could be a parent, carer, or other family member. It could also be someone at school or college.
Schools and colleges are now much more aware of gender identity and trans issues. They want to support young people and have a duty to do so.
If a young person does not feel able to talk to someone they already know, they can contact charities or local gender support groups. Many of these groups have trained counsellors who can offer confidential support.