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.
“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
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
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.
