Questioning (sexuality and gender)

When we are born, doctors look at our private parts and say if we are a boy or a girl. But as we grow up, we might start to feel like we are not the gender that matches our body parts. We might feel like we are a boy inside even though we were told we are a girl, or we might feel like we are both a boy and a girl, or we might not feel like we are either a boy or a girl.

This is called questioning your gender. It is okay to feel this way, and there are lots of different ways that people express their gender that might not match what they were assigned at birth. Some people might dress differently or use different pronouns (like "he" or "she" or "they") to match their gender identity.

Questioning your sexuality is different from questioning your gender. Sexuality is who you are attracted to, like if you like boys, girls, or both. Some people might feel like they are attracted to people who are the same gender as them, or people who are a different gender than them, or people of all genders.

It is okay to question your sexuality and gender, and there is no right or wrong way to be. You should always be true to yourself and respect others for who they are. It is important to talk to people you trust, like parents or teachers or friends, if you are feeling confused or need help understanding your feelings.