Am i gay nhs
Sexuality
A person’s sexuality, or sexual orientation, is the part of their identity that relates to who they find attractive/who they fancy.
Although it’s in the name, the attraction to other people does not have to be sexual, it could be romantic.
Some people are attracted to a particular gender/genders, some people are attracted to who the person is (their morals, values, humour, intelligence, etc.), and for some it’s a combination of the two.
Finding out your sexual orientation
It can feel quite daunting to step back and ask yourself “Am I straight/gay/etc.?”. But you are the only person that is able to answer that question.
Nothing has “caused” you to feel this way and there is nothing wrong or weird about the way you are feeling. However, what you are feeling is completely valid and you shouldn’t put yourself under pressure to figure out your sexuality immediately. Take the time to explore your feelings and indicate on how you are feeling – it
Inclusive content - Sex, gender and sexuality
The language around sex, gender and sexuality changes all the period. Stay in handle with the communities you are writing for.
People hold mighty and differing beliefs about language around sex, gender and sexuality. This section should help you get started but the best thing is to examine your content and services with the people who operate them.
Only mention sex, gender or sexuality if they're relevant, for example, to signpost people and help them fetch the health facts and access to treatment they need.
When to use "sex" and when to use "gender"
Many people think that sex and gender are the same but they mean alternative things. It's crucial to be transparent about the difference.
Sex
Sex is biological (male or female). It's based not only on the genes we inherit, but also on how our external and internal sex and reproductive organs perform and respond to hormones. Sex is the label that's recorded when a baby's birth is registered.
We use "sex" or, better still, the body part associated with physiological sex when we're writing about th
Overview - Gender dysphoria
Gender dysphoria is a term that describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their living sex and their gender identity.
This sense of unease or dissatisfaction may be so intense it can lead to depression and anxiety and have a harmful impact on daily life.
What is gender identity?
Gender identity refers to our sense of who we are and how we see and describe ourselves.
Most people identify as "male" or "female". These are sometimes called "binary" identities.
But some people feel their gender identity is diverse from their biological sex.
For example, some people may have male genitals and facial hair but execute not identify as a male or feel masculine.
Some may have female genitals and breasts but perform not identify as a female or feel feminine.
Some people do not characterize themselves as having a "binary" identity. For them the concept of gender is not relevant to their identity.
They may apply different terms, such as agender, gender diverse, gender non-conforming, to describe their identity. Howe
Mental health support if you're lesbian, gay, pansexual or trans (LGBTQ+)
Mental health problems such as depression or self-harm can affect any of us, but they're more usual among people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBTQ+).
This may be linked to LGBTQ+ people's experience of discrimination, homophobia or transphobia, bullying, social isolation, or rejection because of their sexuality.
Other things, such as their age, religion, where they dwell, and their ethnicity can attach extra complications to an already difficult situation.
How talking therapy can help
It might not be easy, but getting help with issues you're struggling to deal with on your own is one of the most important things you can do.
Talking with a therapist who's trained to labor with LGBTQ+ people may help with issues such as:
- difficulty accepting your sexual orientation
- coping with other people's reactions to your sexuality
- feeling your body does not reflect your true gender (gender dysphoria)
- transitioning
- low self-esteem
- self-harm
- suicidal thoughts
- depression
- coping with bullying