“Youth have a right to their own identity…a right to learn about their sexuality in a safe and supportive environment” ~ The Maine Youth in Care Bill of Rights

General Information

It can be hard to talk to people about your gender identity or sexual orientation, especially if you are unsure of how you identify or how you want to identify.  It is important to know that you are not alone and there are many resources available to support you.

If you are in high school and looking for support, some schools have a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA).  GSAs, made up of students, faculty, and community members, support students and look to build positive relationships.  If your school does not have this program or a similar one, speak to your guidance counselor or another adult whom you trust and have them help you find local resources.

If you attend a college or a university, most schools have diversity centers or academic programs that have resources available. You can get involved through your local “Campus Life” to discover what your university community has to offer.

Definitions

Gender Identity is your instinctive, deeply felt inner identification as male or female.  Expressing your gender is the way you communicate your gender, examples include: dress, grooming, speech patterns, social interactions, etc.

Transgender, as defined by GLAAD, is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from what is typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth. (https://www.glaad.org/transgender)

Sexual Orientation is your physical and/or emotional attraction to the same and/or opposite gender. Someone’s sexual orientation can include but is not limited to: attraction to someone of the same sex (homosexuality), attraction to someone of the opposite sex (heterosexuality), attraction to members of both sexes (bisexuality) or a lack of attraction to others (asexuality).

Resources

Learn more about Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation on the Human Rights Campaign resource page. Go to www.hrc.org and select the “Issues” tab to learn more.

Visit the Youth Leadership Advisory Team’s (YLAT’s) LGBTQ page to learn of rights and resources that are specific to LGBTQ youth in foster care at www.ylat.org/lgbtq.

Everyone is Gay is a website that offers resources and advice to LGBTQ youth. Find this resource at www.everyoneisgay.com.