Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Why Education Saves Lives
by Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW
Every person deserves to live authentically, to love freely, and to exist without fear. Every person is worthy of acceptance, belonging, and celebration—not despite who they are, but because of the unique light they bring to this world. Yet too many people face rejection, discrimination, and violence simply for being their true selves. This isn't just unfair—it's a tragedy that we have the power to prevent. When we fail to educate ourselves and our communities about sexual orientation and gender identity, we create environments where harmful practices flourish and precious lives are lost. But when we choose understanding, when we lead with love, we create space for everyone to thrive.
Why Education Matters
Knowledge is one of our most powerful tools for creating a more compassionate world. When people understand that sexual orientation and gender identity are natural aspects of human diversity—not choices, phases, or disorders—they're less likely to support harmful practices and more likely to create inclusive environments.
Misunderstanding and ignorance fuel:
Conversion therapy: These discredited practices attempt to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Every major medical and mental health organization, including the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, and the World Health Organization, condemns conversion therapy as ineffective and harmful. I would even say it is abusive. Research shows it leads to increased depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Yet it persists in places where education is lacking.
Bullying and abuse: Young people who identify as LGBTQ+ experience bullying at rates significantly higher than their peers. This harassment doesn't just hurt in the moment—it creates lasting trauma. Students who face this hostility are more likely to miss school, experience academic difficulties, and suffer from mental health challenges.
Family rejection: When families lack understanding, they may respond to a loved one's coming out with rejection or attempts to "fix" them. This rejection has devastating consequences.
The Life-or-Death Stakes of Acceptance
The statistics are sobering and should move us all to action, but behind each number is a real person with dreams, talents, and so much to offer the world. LGBTQ+ youth who face rejection from their families are:
More than 8 times as likely to attempt suicide
Nearly 6 times as likely to report high levels of depression
More than 3 times as likely to use illegal drugs
More than 3 times as likely to be at high risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections
Transgender and non-binary youth face particularly acute challenges. Studies have found that over 40% of transgender adults report having attempted suicide, with rates even higher among those who faced family rejection or discrimination.
But here's the powerful, hopeful truth that should inspire us all: acceptance saves lives. LGBTQ+ youth who feel accepted by their families, schools, and communities show dramatically lower rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. When just one adult affirms a young person's identity, their risk of suicide drops significantly. Your acceptance, your kindness, your willingness to learn—these things matter more than you may ever know. You have the power to be that person who makes all the difference.
Understanding Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation refers to who someone is emotionally, romantically, and/or physically attracted to. It's not a choice, and it's not something that can be changed through willpower or therapy. Research consistently shows that sexual orientation develops through a complex interaction of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors.
Common sexual orientations include:
Heterosexual (straight): Attracted to people of a different gender
Homosexual (gay/lesbian): Attracted to people of the same gender
Bisexual: Attracted to people of more than one gender
Pansexual: Attracted to people regardless of gender
Asexual: Experiencing little or no sexual attraction to others
Queer: An umbrella term some people use to describe non-heterosexual orientations
Sexual orientation exists on a spectrum, and some people's experiences don't fit neatly into these categories. Some people's orientation may also be fluid over their lifetime. All of these experiences are valid and normal.
Understanding Gender Identity
Gender identity is separate from sexual orientation. It refers to a person's internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. Gender identity is about who you are, while sexual orientation is about who you're attracted to.
Some gender identities include:
Cisgender: When someone's gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth
Transgender: When someone's gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth
Non-binary: Someone whose gender identity doesn't fit within the categories of exclusively male or female
Genderfluid: Someone whose gender identity changes over time
Agender: Someone who doesn't identify with any gender
Two-Spirit: A term used by some Indigenous peoples to describe individuals who embody both masculine and feminine spirits
Like sexual orientation, gender identity is not a choice. It's a fundamental aspect of who someone is. Transgender people have existed throughout history and across all cultures.
What Society Owes Each Person
We all share responsibility for creating a world where everyone can thrive. This means:
Education in schools and communities: Age-appropriate, factual information about sexual orientation and gender identity should be part of education. Knowledge dispels fear and builds empathy.
Acceptance without judgment: Each person's identity and orientation are theirs alone to define. Our role is to listen, believe people about their own experiences, and offer support—not to question, judge, or try to change them.
Compassion and love: Behind every statistic is a person—someone's child, sibling, friend, or neighbor. When we lead with compassion, we create space for people to live authentically and safely.
Active allyship: It's not enough to simply avoid being discriminatory. We must actively stand against discrimination, speak up when we witness harassment, and work to create inclusive environments.
Legal protections: Laws must protect all people from discrimination in employment, housing, healthcare, and public accommodations. Marriage equality must be protected. Conversion therapy must be banned. Anti-bullying policies must explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity.
Moving Forward Together
Creating an accepting society isn't just about tolerance—it's about celebration. It's about recognizing that the diversity of human experience makes our world richer, more beautiful, and more vibrant. When we embrace people for who they truly are, when we create space for authenticity, everyone benefits. Families grow stronger when love isn't conditional. Communities become more vibrant when everyone can contribute their unique gifts. Workplaces become more innovative when people can show up as their whole selves. And countless lives are saved and allowed to flourish.
Every conversation we have, every time we correct misinformation, every moment we choose understanding over judgment—these actions create ripples of change. They tell LGBTQ+ people, especially young people struggling to understand themselves, that they are valued, that they belong, and that they are loved exactly as they are. Your voice matters. Your acceptance matters. You have the power to change someone's world.
This isn't about politics or ideology. It's about humanity. It's about recognizing that every person—every single person—deserves dignity, safety, and the freedom to live authentically. It's about choosing love over fear, understanding over ignorance, and compassion over judgment.
To every LGBTQ+ person reading this: You are not broken. You do not need to be fixed. You are whole, worthy, and deserving of love exactly as you are. Your identity is valid. Your feelings are real. And you belong in this world. There are people who see you, who celebrate you, and who are fighting every day to make this world safer and more welcoming for you.
To parents, family members, and friends: Your love and acceptance can literally save a life. When someone trusts you enough to share their truth, thank them for that trust. Listen. Believe them. And let them know that your love is unconditional.
To educators, therapists, faith leaders, and community members: You have the power to create spaces where everyone feels safe and valued. Use that power. Speak up. Stand up. Show up.
The question isn't whether we can afford to embrace acceptance and understanding. The question is: how many more beautiful, talented, deserving people will we lose if we don't?
Choose love. Choose empathy. Choose compassion. Choose non-judgement. Choose education. Choose acceptance. Lives depend on it.
Resources and Support
If you or someone you know is in crisis:
The Trevor Project - 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth
Call: 1-866-488-7386
Text START to 678-678
Online chat: TheTrevorProject.org
Trans Lifeline - Peer support hotline run by and for transgender people
US: 1-877-565-8860
Canada: 1-877-330-6366
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - 24/7 support for anyone in crisis
Call or text: 988
Online chat: 988lifeline.org
Crisis Text Line - Free 24/7 crisis support via text
Text HELLO to 741741
For ongoing support, education, and advocacy:
PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and their families
Website: pflag.org
GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network)
Working to create safe and affirming schools for all students
Website: glsen.org
The It Gets Better Project
Hope and support for LGBTQ+ youth through shared stories
Website: itgetsbetter.org
Human Rights Campaign
Advocacy for LGBTQ+ equality and resources for coming out and living authentically
Website: hrc.org
GLAAD
Working to accelerate acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community
Website: glaad.org
National Center for Transgender Equality
Policy advocacy and resources for transgender people
Website: transequality.org
The Trevor Project Resource Center
Extensive resources on LGBTQ+ identity, coming out, and mental health
Website: thetrevorproject.org/resources
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this website; blog, video, articles, media, social media, book, and references, are ONLY for informational and entertainment purposes. It is NOT intended as a psychological service, diagnostic tool, medical treatment, personal advice, counseling, or determination of risk and should not be used as a substitute for treatment by psychological or medical services.
Please seek consultation by an appropriate healthcare provider.
Call 911 if there is an emergency.
Call or text 988, which is the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline,
Call National Suicidal Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 to talk to someone 24/7 if needed. Call National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 to talk to someone 24/7 if needed.
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References
American Psychological Association. (2021). Resolution on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts. Retrieved from apa.org
Ryan, C., Russell, S.T., Huebner, D., Diaz, R., & Sanchez, J. (2010). Family acceptance in adolescence and the health of LGBT young adults. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 23(4), 205-213.
The Trevor Project. (2023). 2023 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health. Retrieved from thetrevorproject.org
James, S.E., Herman, J.L., Rankin, S., Keisling, M., Mottet, L., & Anafi, M. (2016). The Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. National Center for Transgender Equality.
Johns, M.M., Lowry, R., Andrzejewski, J., et al. (2019). Transgender identity and experiences of violence victimization, substance use, suicide risk, and sexual risk behaviors among high school students. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 68, 67-71.
American Medical Association. (2019). AMA Policy on LGBTQ Issues. Retrieved from ama-assn.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015). Ending Conversion Therapy: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ Youth. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4928.
Russell, S.T., & Fish, J.N. (2016). Mental health in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 12, 465-487.
Movement Advancement Project. (2019). Conversion Therapy Laws. Retrieved from lgbtmap.org
Kosciw, J.G., Clark, C.M., Truong, N.L., & Zongrone, A.D. (2020). The 2019 National School Climate Survey: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth in Our Nation's Schools. GLSEN.
World Health Organization. (2014). Sexual Health, Human Rights and the Law. WHO Press.
Bailey, J.M., Vasey, P.L., Diamond, L.M., Breedlove, S.M., Vilain, E., & Epprecht, M. (2016). Sexual orientation, controversy, and science. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 17(2), 45-101.
