Childline: Children questioning their gender identity or sexuality can feel like no one understands
June is Pride Month, with parades, marches and events across the country.
As always, our Childline counsellors will be on hand to listen to young people with any issues or concerns around sexuality and gender identity.
For many people, their gender identity corresponds to the sex they were registered at birth. For others, it does not. Some see gender identity as more of a spectrum, rather than a binary, while for some the concept of gender isn't relevant to their identity.
Last year our Childline service delivered almost 2,500 counselling sessions to children and young people concerned about their sexuality and gender identity. More than two in five of these counselling sessions were about coming out.
Young people told counsellors they were worried about telling their parents and being alienated from friendship groups, which was having a big impact on their mental health.
One boy, aged 17, told the service: “I’ve only recently started accepting myself as gay after years of bullying. I’ve been freaking out that my parents will find out, because yesterday my cousin texted me saying that they know about me. I’m out at school, but I’m not ready for my whole family to know. I was planning to wait until I moved to college to tell them. I feel like I’m losing control.”
This Pride Month, we want to reassure all children that they can reach out to Childline as their authentic selves. Childline is here to be a confidential, and wholly accepting space, where young people can discuss their concerns and feelings freely.
Children questioning their gender identity or sexuality can feel like no one understands what they are going through, so if you’re a parent or carer it is important to listen without judgement and help them to feel accepted and supported.
It may take them a while to find the courage to start the conversation so be patient, don’t rush them, and let them know that you are there if they want to continue the conversation another time.
And remind them that Childline counsellors are available on the phone and online 24/7 to offer support.