Better Health Channel
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
  • Gender, sex and sexuality are each different concepts. Gender refers to an internal sense of identity, while sex refers to the identity assigned to a person at birth based on physical characteristics. 
  • Sexuality, or sexual orientation, refers to the sex or gender a person is sexually attracted to (such as being lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, etc.)
  • Your gender is what feels natural to you, even if it differs from the gender that was assigned to you at birth based on your presumed sex.
  • Some people may not feel comfortable with the gender assigned to them at birth. They may choose to live according to their true gender identity. This is called gender affirmation.
  • A person may affirm their gender by taking steps to be socially or physically more aligned with their gender identity, including changing their name, taking hormones, or having surgery. 
  • If your child seems unsure about their gender, support what they say and do. Seek help if your child is distressed, or if you need support.

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Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Reviewed on: 18-04-2023