Diverse sexuality, sex and gender (LGBTIQA+)

Sexuality, sex, and gender cover a broad spectrum and is different for everyone. Exploring your sexuality and gender is personal, and a normal part of self-discovery.

Understanding sexuality, sex and gender

Sexuality, sex, and gender can be complex and dynamic. It’s not as clear-cut as some people might think, and covers a broad spectrum.

Here are some helpful definitions from the Australian Government style manual:

  • Gender - is about social and cultural differences and identity. 'Gender' and 'sex' both mean 'the state of being male or female' but are often used in different ways.
  • Gender expression – is the way a person expresses their gender.
  • Gender identity – is about who a person feels themselves to be. It refers to the way a person identifies or expresses their masculine or feminine traits.
  • Gender-queer and non-binary - refer to people who don't identify as either male or female. They may identify as both or neither.
  • Gender-fluid - refers to people who do not identify with a fixed gender.
  • Intersex - refers to people with innate genetic, hormonal, or physical sex characteristics that do not conform to medical norms for female or male bodies.
  • Sex - refers to the legal status that was initially determined by sex characteristics observed at birth.
  • Sex characteristics - are a person's physical sex features, such as their chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs.
  • Sexual orientation - is a person's romantic or sexual attraction to another person, such as heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
  • Sexuality - includes biological sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and reproduction.
  • Transgender - means people whose gender identity is different from that given to them at birth.

headspace also has resources on understanding what LGBTIQA+ means, your sexuality, and gender identity.

Some people find terminology helpful to identify their sexuality or gender identity, whereas others may not like or identify with these terms, and that’s ok too. There’s no right or wrong way to be you, and you don’t have to fit in a label. Your identity is yours – it’s completely up to you to decide how you want to describe it, what it means for your life, and who you want to share it with.

Questioning your sexuality or gender identity?

Understanding the sexual feelings and attractions we have towards others, and the gender we identify with and express, is a personal journey.

It can take time to figure out what fits right with you. Know that you don’t need to decide or do anything straight away. You can take as much time as you need to clarify what these feelings mean for your identity and your future.

In the meantime, it can help to:

At the end of the day, remember that no matter what gender you identify with, or who you’re attracted to, you are a worthy human being just as you are.

Dealing with bullying or discrimination

It’s never ok for someone to harass, or make you feel ‘less than’ or bad about your sexuality or gender. Facing prejudice or exclusion because of your sexuality or gender identity can affect your wellbeing.

You don’t need to manage discrimination, poor treatment from others, or other negative experiences on your own. Seek support from a trusted friend or family member, or outside support if you’re still finding it hard to cope.

Get support

Your experience of your sexuality, sex or gender is valid and will be respected by the counsellors at Counselling and Psychological Services. We acknowledge there are a range of unique challenges that LGBTIQA+ people face that can affect their mental health and wellbeing, and we provide counselling for LGBTIQA+ students and staff.

It can also be helpful to explore the range of supports for LGBTIQA+ folk and what you can do to feel connected to the community.

If you'd like more support, come along to one of our workshops or make an appointment for individual counselling.

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