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Challenges young people are facing around sexuality and gender identity

Helplines insight briefing

Publication date March 2024

This briefing uses insight from Childline counselling sessions and NSPCC Helpline contacts from 2022/23 about sexuality and gender identity.

Some young people who are LGBTQ+ will have supportive experiences as they explore their sexuality and gender identity. However, some young people face pressures or challenges.

Key themes include:

  • coming out to the family
  • conversion practices
  • pressures in school
  • pressure to choose a label
  • young people struggling with guilt and self-acceptance.
Challenges young people are facing around sexuality and gender identity
Download the briefing (PDF)
“I’m being bullied at school for “not acting like my gender” but I feel like I have no one I can tell. I haven’t come out as non-binary. I don’t think my teachers or parents would get it and I’m still working out if that is my label. How can I explain that’s what I’m being bullied for when I’m not ready to come out yet?”

Young person, aged 16, Childline
“I’m calling in relation to my teenage son. A couple of months ago I noticed a change in his mood and after a bit he mentioned he’s questioning if he’s gay. I haven’t told my husband yet as I’m afraid how he might react, and I think my son feels the same; his dad has openly made negative comments about LGBTQ people before. I want my son to know he can talk to me about this, but don’t know how to start that conversation”

Parent, NSPCC Helpline

Citation

Please cite as: NSPCC (2024) Challenges young people are facing around sexuality and gender identity. London: NSPCC

Childline and NSPCC Helpline insight briefings

Our insight briefings use data and insight from Childline counselling sessions and NSPCC Helpline contacts to explore concerns children and young people have raised and how these affect them.

See the full series