What is Gender Identity?
Your deeply felt sense of your own gender, which may or may not align with the sex you are assigned at birth.
Understanding Gender Identity
Gender Identity is a core aspect of self-understanding and personal identity. When a person’s gender identity is affirmed and respected, it fosters self-confidence, emotional well-being, and a sense of belonging.
Common Identities
Cisgender: When your gender identity matches the sex you were assigned at birth.
Transgender: When your gender identity is different from the sex you were assigned at birth.
Nonbinary: A broad term for anyone whose gender doesn’t fit strictly into “man” or “woman.”
Two-Spirit: A sacred identity used by some Indigenous communities to describe gender roles outside colonial ideas of “male” and “female.” This term is cultural and should only be used by Indigenous folks.
Gender Identity & Mental Health
Your gender identity—whether you're a man, woman, nonbinary, genderfluid, agender, or something else entirely—is a core part of who you are. When your identity is affirmed, supported, and understood, your mental health tends to flourish.
But for many, especially trans and nonbinary folks, that’s not the reality. Instead, people often face:
Misgendering or deadnaming
Lack of representation in school, healthcare, or media
Family rejection or unsupportive communities
Barriers to gender-affirming care
These experiences can lead to anxiety, depression, self-doubt, and isolation. That’s why gender affirmation—being seen and celebrated for who you are—is a powerful form of mental health support.
When we protect and affirm gender-diverse people, we reduce suicide risk, increase confidence, and create space for people to live fully.
Some people think gender is black and white — just “man” or “woman.” Others imagine it as a spectrum — like colors fading from one to another. But honestly, gender is more like a rainbow explosion — infinite, vibrant, and unique to you.
Visualizing Gender
EXPLORING YOUR GENDER
Ask yourself:
How do I feel about the sex I was assigned at birth?
What does gender mean to me personally?
Do I feel connected to a label, or do I want to create my own?
There’s no right or wrong way to explore your identity. It’s a journey that can change — and that’s okay.
© The Trevor Project: The Coming Out Handbook