Gender Support Program

Your Child’s Gender Identity and Expression 

Every child has a different way of expressing gender and some may express themselves in ways that are different from what we expect. Many gender expansive children are comfortable with the sex they were assigned at birth. However, there are times when a child may assert a gender identity that is different from, or not consistent with, the sex they were assigned at birth. They may also say they’re not comfortable with their physical sex characteristics. 

Every child has a different way of expressing gender and some may express themselves in ways that are different from what we expect:

• Gender-expansive youth: Children and youth who express a wider, more flexible range of gender identity and/or expression than typically associated with their sex assigned at birth. 
• Gender questioning youth: Children and youth who are exploring and discovering their gender identities (example: “I was assigned a girl at birth, but I wonder if I am something other than a girl?”).
• Transgender youth: An umbrella term for children and youth whose gender identity is different from their sex assigned at birth (example: “I was assigned a girl at birth, but I am a boy!”).

Additional Resources

• Want a Second Opinion? — Chat, call or complete this form to request a second-opinion appointment.
• Your Child's Clinic Visit — Learn more about our services and what you can do to prepare for your visit.