It’s complicated and that’s why it is important to discuss and know where and when to seek further information and help.
Check out this link
Understanding Sex, Gender & Sexuality
Links to help you
Phone Numbers
211
For local support call 211 to ask about LGBTQ groups in South Georgian Bay
705-722-6778
Call the Gilbert Centre in Barrie for more information and support 705-722-6778
1-800-268-9688
1-647-694-4245
Chat with a peer by calling LGBT Youth line 1-800-268-9688 or 1-647-694-4245
GENDER EXPRESSION
Being a guy does not have to mean being “masculine”, or following specific rules that say how a guy is supposed to behave. You get to make your own rules about what kind of person you are going to be, and everyone (whether cis or trans) expresses gender identity differently!
CLOTHING
Transitioning
TRANSITIONING
Appearance (hair, clothes etc.).
Body.
Pronoun (he, she, they, ze, zir).
Which bathroom you use.
Identification documents (health card, birth certificate, etc.).
Ways of Transitioning
Experimenting with gender → Changing your pronouns/name → Hormones → Surgery → Transhealth Clinic
For help finding how you can get medical help transitioning (hormones and/or surgery) contact your doctor or 211 right on this site
Facilitating conversation with family │friends │ the public.
“COMING OUT”
Celebrating who they are │ Relieve the stress of hiding who they are │ To find a community.
Not all people will reveal their true identity because of feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety/fear of rejection or violence.
The first step of coming out is feeling comfortable with your gender identity/sexuality, no matter what it may mean to others.
It is important that people can come out on their own terms. This is a unique experience for everyone. It might be harder for some and easier for others, depending on who they are coming out to. LGBTQ+ people don’t just come out once: every time they meet someone they have to decide whether or not to come out.
Try to remember it may have taken you a long time to come to terms with your sexual orientation and/or gender identity, so others may need a bit of space to take it in too.
ALLIES IN SCHOOL
There are trusted adults at your school board that are there to make sure you feel comfortable and welcome in your own identity while at school. These people are called Inclusion Itinerant Teachers, and you can contact the Simcoe County equity and inclusion itinerant teachers at 705-734-6363, ext.11859.
What do they do?
They make sure the school board follows trans affirming policies such as:
Respecting student’s right to change their name and pronouns.
Be able to use the restroom of their choosing, if there is no gender neutral option.
You can get in contact with your inclusion itinerant teacher (no legal documents required), or talk to a counsellor at your school or in your community for professional help on how to feel like yourself at school. If you don’t know where to start, contact 211 or the Kids Help Phone.
Mental Health support
LGBTQ+ youth suffer from higher than average rates of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. This is often because they don’t feel accepted as themselves. It is important to reach out for help if you are struggling with your gender identity │sexuality journey.
WHO CAN I TALK TO?
Your doctor.
A mental health counsellor.
Online LGBTQ+ forums.
A Kids Help Phone Counsellor.
211 Representative.
Finding help is easy when you make the right call...
Tel:211 Free Helpline 24 │7
Chat with 211
Request a Call
Email 211
Visit 211 Website
If you wish to speak to a counsellor,
Please call 1 800 668 6868
Or text CONNECT to 686868 to chat confidentially with a trained, volunteer Crisis Responder.
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