Youth in BC

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				Gender Identity What is gender identity and expression? What is the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation? What does Transgender mean? Who are intersexed people? What common experiences do trans people share with other sexual minorities? What is gender identity and expression? A person's gender identity is the sense they have of being male or female. Gender expression is how someone shows their gender to other people. We all have a gender identity, and we all have ways of expressing it. Sometimes society has a narrow view of what it means to be a male or female, and we learn that when we are young. Those who look different face increased risk of harassment at school, sometimes hate violence, and other issues. But many create supportive communities where they can be who they are. TOP What is the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation? Gender identity is a person's internal sense of being a male or female, a boy or a girl. Sexual orientation is someone's sexual attraction to others who may be of the opposite sex, the same sex, or either sex. Like other people, transgendered people can be straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual. Generally speaking, their gender identity – not their physical sex status – determines their sexual orientation. TOP What does Transgender mean? A transgendered person is someone whose gender identity or expression differs from ‘typical’ or ‘traditional’ expectations for their physical sex. The term transgender is used to describe several groups of people who use a variety of other terms to self-identify. Transgendered people can include transsexuals (not all transsexual people need or want sex reassignment surgery), masculine women, feminine men, drag queens/kings, cross-dressers, gender queers, two-spirit, butches, transmen, transwomen, etc. Like other people, transgender people can be straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual. TOP Who are intersexed people? Intersexed people are individuals born with anatomy or physiology which differs from cultural and/or medical definitions of being male and female. The medical term "hermaphrodite" has been commonly used, but is not accepted by many intersex people. It is standard medical practice to assign a sex at birth to individuals born with intersex/atypical anatomy or physiology and to perform surgeries beginning in infancy and often continuing into adolescence. Though more enlightened medical professionals now wait for the child to display their gender preference before starting the surgeries. TOP What common experiences do trans people share with other sexual minorities? They are all subject to the same social pressures to fit in, which can include harassment and even violence. Many transgendered people, like openly gay men, lesbians and bisexuals must also deal with discrimination in their life. Many trans people also often confuse their internal feelings of being another gender with feelings of being gay or lesbian. It can take a long time for them to recognize and acknowledge their true identity. And, like gay men and lesbians who do not come out, many trans people must cope with a profound loneliness as members of a relatively small sexual minority. And remember, we’re here 2 listen if you need us. Wanna talk?

		Resources: Transgender Health Program Three Bridges Community Health Centre 301-1290 Hornby Street, Vancouver BC, V6Z 1W2 Lower Mainland: 604-734-1514 BC only: 866-999-1514 Web: www.vch.ca/transhealth Email: transhealth@vch.ca Works to bring together transgender people and loved ones, health care providers, health planners, and researchers to work on improving transgender health services in BC. Welcomes anyone who has a transgender health question or concern. Services are free, anonymous, and confidential. BC FTM Network 6-1220 Salsbury Drive, Vancouver, BC V5L 4B2 Tel: 604-683-2278 Email: bcftmnetwork@hotmail.com Outreach to the female-to-male (FTM) transgender/transsexual community in BC. Information and peer support contact information for FTMs and their families, friends, partners, and allies. Trans Youth Drop-in Meeting location: Britannia Community Center in the Al Mattison Lounge 1661 Napier St., Vancouver Tel: 604-734-1514, ext. 1 Web: www.vch.ca/transhealth/youth/index.html Email: transhealth@vch.ca Meets Fridays from 6:30-8:30 PM. Drop-in space to hang out, eat, meet other people, play games, and do art projects. Peer-run, for trans youth and their partners, friends, siblings, or other loved ones. Wheelchair-accessible.

	PRIVACY LEGAL FEEDBACK THANK YOU

		The Crisis Centre is a professional and caring organization staffed by counsellors and trained volunteers who are committed to helping youths in crisis. 24-Hour Distress Line Numbers: Lower Mainland: 604.872.3311 \|\| Toll Free: 1.866.661.3311 24 Hour (TTY) Access: Lower Mainland: 604.872.0113 \|\| Toll Free 1.866.872.0113 Additional BC Crisis Line Tel #'s >>


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Youth Resources



Understanding and coping with…

	Bullying & Harassment

	Stress

	Suicidal Feelings


	sexuality

	-	Sexual Health

	-	Gender Identity

	-	Sexual Identity

	-	Sexual Exploitation

	-	Pregnancy

	-	Facts


	Mental Health