Sexual orientation and gender identity aren’t the same thing. Everyone has both a gender identity and a sexual orientation.
Gender identity is your internal and psychological sense of yourself as a woman, a man, both, in between or neither. Only you can determine your gender identity.
Sexual orientation is a term used to describe your pattern of emotional, romantic or sexual attraction. Sexual orientation may include attraction to the same gender (homosexuality), a gender different than your own (heterosexuality), both men and women (bisexuality), all genders (pansexual), or neither (asexuality).
For more information about gender identity and sexual orientation, including how to find support services in your area, visit Qmunity – BC’s Queer Resource Centre or Trans Care BC by calling 604-675-3647 or toll free 1-866-999-1514.
You may express gender in a way that differs from how you feel on the inside. This expression includes the name and pronoun you use, your style of dress, voice or hairstyle. Gender expression may be referred to as masculine, feminine or androgynous. You may change how you express yourself depending on the situation you are in, such as at school or work, home alone, out with friends.
When you are transgender, also known as trans, your gender identity doesn’t match the sex that you were assigned at birth (usually male or female). Like anybody, trans people may identify as straight, pansexual, queer, asexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay or something else.
How stress can affect your health
For many reasons, LGBTQ2S+ people may have extra stress and feel alone. If your trans identity is not known to others you may feel shame, guilt or other negative emotions when you consider the possibility that you might be trans.