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Gender diversity is an umbrella term that is used to describe gender identities that demonstrate a diversity of expression beyond the binary framework.

For many gender diverse people, the concept of binary gender – having to choose to express yourself as male or female – is constraining. Some people would prefer to have the freedom to change from one gender to another, or not have a gender identity at all. Others just want to be able to openly defy or challenge more normalised concepts of gender.

Navigating gender diversity in the workplace can seem like a complex issue that needs special treatment. However workplaces often find the considerations made for gender diverse people are simple things that make the workplace more mindful and inclusive for everyone.

One thing to be aware of are the legalities that are applied to workplaces with the goal of avoiding discrimination in the workplace. The ACT Human Rights commission has some clear guidelines around gender in the workplace.

Supporting a gender diverse student at school is mostly about ensuring the student’s identity is treated as valid. Often this starts with a conversation around how the student wishes to identify, how they may wish to express their identity, what facilities they’re going to be comfortable using, and what they may expect from staff and students. Legally speaking, schools in the ACT are required to recognise X gendered students. As a result, schools must be able to accommodate the needs of gender diverse students.

There can be a lot of gender segregated activities at school. “Girls vs Boys” can be a quick and easy way to pick sporting teams or pair off students for an activity. It’s also common for health classes to be gender segregated, as well as some extra-curricular activities. Rather than make special accommodations for gender diverse students that may single them out, why not reconsider how these activities are generally approached? Chances are by making such spaces safer for gender diverse students, more equitable conditions are being made for all other students.

Parents may notice that their child does not fit society’s gender norms of ‘male’ or ‘female. This may present as a child enjoying activities or things that are commonly understood to be ‘for the opposite sex’. Some parents may not even notice their child’s experience of gender diversity, while for others it may be overwhelming or distressing. Some parents may be confused about what gender diversity is, why their child is gender diverse and what this means for them as parents.

There is a common perception that gender diversity is a recent trend among young people. However, there is a lot of historical and cultural precedent for gender diversity, and for communities finding new language and modes of expression that better represent their experiences of gender. Gravitating towards non-binary and gender diverse labels is something that can happen regardless of age.

Mental health statistics specific to gender diverse populations are not as well researched or understood as for the broader LGBTIQ+ community. Given a certain amount of common experiences and crossover between the communities, it can reasonably be understood that there are high rates of mental health issues, self-harm and suicidality prevalent in the gender diverse community. With such high need for mental health services, it is important to recognise the  barriers faced by the gender diverse community to accessing support services.

Clients who identify as gender diverse or non-binary might have quite different experiences to binary trans people – textbook, clinical understandings of what it means to be trans are not necessarily applicable to gender diverse people. As with many trans people, the experience of dysphoria may or may no be present. It is important not to assume gender dysphoria as a given for people exploring new ideas and understandings of gender.

Gender diversity can be a very sensitive topic to navigate as a medical professional, but it is important that a medical practice is able to respect the needs of gender diverse individuals. Poor experiences mean that gender diverse people may not seek out medical help when they need it. Being able to take steps to ensure that gender diverse patients feel safe and respected will not only benefit those patients, but ensure practices more inclusive.

In some cases, it may be necessary for medical practices to ask for or record a patient’s legal name and sex assigned at birth. Taking into account that such questions might be upsetting or difficult for a gender diverse patient to answer, this experience should be made as comfortable as possible, and be approached with sensitivity and understanding. Having  space on patient intake forms to acknowledge how a patient wishes to be addressed, can be helpful. In environments where a patient has to deal with multiple staff members, there needs to be an understanding that all staff will respect the patient’s choices.

Being gender diverse means different things to different people. A lot of people think that if someone is gender diverse they have to present themselves in a certain way (e.g. androgynous clothing). Some gender diverse people do not want to present themselves as either ‘male’ or ‘female, while others are happy to present themselves as what society sees as a binary gender. However this does not make them any ‘less’ gender diverse. For all the ways there are to explore gender, there is no one ‘right way’. You might find yourself gravitating towards a particular label or you might not. It might be about rejecting what feels inauthentic or embracing what is exciting. Perhaps it is about challenging how those around you see gender or maybe it is about challenging how you understand yourself. It is your path to navigate and how you express yourself is a personal choice.

That does not mean you have to do this alone. Many gender diverse people enjoy spending time within the gender diverse community. Many might need support from therapists, support groups and community centres, both online and offline. Some people experience gender diversity as a wonderful adventure filled with possibilities while for others it can feel difficult to find ways to express the complexity of their internal gender identity. This can be experienced as overwhelming and isolating. Being around other gender diverse people can help reinforce your identity and can support to better understand the unique ways that people explore, experience and express their gender identity.

So your friend just came out to you with an identity you don’t fully understand. It seems important to them, but you’re not sure how to show them respect and feel a little embarrassed to ask them questions.

It’s okay to ask them questions!

What does it mean to be gender diverse and how can a supportive family environment be established? Gender diversity is a very broad term that can mean different things to different people. To understand how to support gender diverse people in your family, it is often best just to ask the person. Being gender diverse for some people can mean that they do not identify with the current binary system of man and woman. They may feel themselves to be androgynous or gender creative or have no gender at all (agender). There are any number of ways a person may choose to identify and express themselves as gender diverse. Sometimes this might mean a change in how they want to be referred to – such as a different name or pronoun, or it might mean dressing differently or taking up a different role or duties in the family. Sometimes people come out as gender diverse and their gender expression might not change at all.

The best thing you can do is to start a conversation in which you are curious and positive about how the gender diverse person would like to be seen. It might seem like there is a lot to learn about gender diversity, but the most important thing to learn is how to specifically respect the gender diverse people in your life.