Age-appropriate conversations about sexual orientation and gender identity with youths and their families by health-care professionals are essential to support the health of all youths and combat mental health disparities, bullying, and higher rates of suicide among LGBTQIA+ youth. As mental health providers, we integrate best practices at the intersection of mental health and pediatrics. We offer strategies for health-care providers to proactively discuss sexual orientation and gender identity and to create a safe place for these discussions.
Sexual orientation refers to emotional and/or physical attraction (eg, gay, pansexual), and a youth can endorse multiple sexual orientations. Gender identity is the innate sense of gender (eg, girl, nonbinary). Gender identity is separate from gender expression, such as appearance, clothing, and behavior. Assigned sex refers to the designation the medical profession labels an infant, usually “female” or “male,” based on reproductive anatomy and chromosomes. To promote trust and convey respect for...
Comments