Sexual & Gender Identity

Not everyone is attracted to someone of the opposite sex and this can initially be a confusing and scary time.

Some people are attracted to people of the same sex and some are attracted to people of both the same and the opposite sex – someone who feels this way may be gay or lesbian or bisexual.

Other people may feel their gender doesn’t match their body, or that their gender isn’t conventionally male or female – it may be that someone who feels this way is transgender or intersex.

It is not legal for someone to discriminate against you because you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex, and it is certainly not OK for them to bully you because of this. If this is happening at school you need to tell your parents, a teacher, the principal or someone you trust to share the information with.

Differences between states

Northern Territory

If you are confused about your sexuality or gender, or you have questions about how you feel you can contact the following services:

  • Q Life, a national service that aims to keep GLBTIQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer) communities connected – visit the Q Life or call 1800 184 527.
  • The Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council is also a main point of contact for people in the Northern Territory wanting to discuss sexuality or gender, and can put you in touch with local support services – phone 08 8944 7777.
  • Headspace provides free counselling for young people aged between 12 and 25, on issues including sexuality and gender. You can contact the Alice Springs branch on 08 8958 4544, the Darwin branch on 08 8931 5999 or visit the Headspace website.
  • Sisters & Brothers NT is an advocacy and reconciliation group for GLBTIQ people in the NT. Visit the Sisters & Brothers NT website for further details.

If you are being bullied or harassed at work you should tell a supervisor. You can also contact the Northern Territory Working Women’s Centre for assistance on 1800 817 055.

For legal advice you can contact the Central Australian Women’s Legal Service on 08 8952 4055 or 1800 684 055.

Depending on where you live, alternatively you could contact the Katherine Women’s Information and Legal Service on 08 8972 1712 or 1800 620 108 or the Top End Women’s Legal Service on 08 8982 3000 or 1800 234 441.

ACT

If you are confused about your sexuality or gender, or you have questions about how you feel, contact A Gender Agenda.

If you are being bullied or harassed at work you need to tell a supervisor or you can contact Women’s Legal Centre ACT or the Discrimination Commissioner for help on what to do.

Western Australia

If you are confused about your sexuality or gender, or you have questions about how you feel, contact Living Proud on 08 9420 7201 or 1800 184 527.

NSW

If you are confused about your sexuality or gender, or you have questions about how you feel, contact the Twenty10 incorporating the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service of NSW (GLCS).

For legal advice you can call Inner City Legal Centre on 1800 244 481.

For legal advice you can also call Women’s Legal Service NSW on 02 8745 6999 or 1800 810 784 or Legal Aid on 1300 888 529.

Victoria

If you are confused about your sexuality or gender, or you have questions about how you feel, you can contact the following organisations:

  • Minus 18 – Minus 18 is a Melbourne-based resource for same-sex-attracted teens who want advice and support.
  • Wayout – The Wayout Project works with communities in rural Victoria to raise awareness about homophobia.
  • Gay and Lesbian Switchboard – Confidential counselling service. Call 03 9663 2939 (metropolitan areas) or 1800 184 527 (country Victoria).  Counsellors are available Mon/Tue/Thur 6-10pm, Wed 2-10pm, Fri/Sat/Sun 6-9pm.
  • The Better Health Channel – The Victorian Government’s health website contains general information on health and wellbeing issues, including sexuality.

If you are being bullied or harassed at work, you need to tell a supervisor or you can contact the following organisations for information, advice or support:

There are also some useful information sheets on the YouthLaw website.

South Australia

If you are confused about your sexuality, you can contact the following services:

  • SHine SA advocates for equal rights and opportunities for gay and lesbian communities. This service works in partnership with many community groups and agencies and has a range of contacts to refer you to if they are unable to help. SHine SA offers a range of services to meet the needs of people with diverse sexualities such as clinics, counselling, community and professional education, and training of professionals on homophobia. For clinical and counselling services phone SHine SA on 1300 794 584.
  • The Youth Healthline is a confidential service on 1300 131719 where young people can ring for information about health issues including relationships, sexual health, and sexuality and identity.

Tasmania

If you are confused about your sexuality or gender, or you have questions about how you feel, contact Working it Out.

If you are being bullied or harassed at work you need to tell a supervisor, or you can contact Women’s Legal Service Tasmania, Worker Assist or the Anti Discrimination Commission for help on what to do.

Queensland

If you are confused about your sexuality or gender, or you have questions about how you feel, you can contact Diverse Voices on 07 3017 1717 or free call 1800 184 527, between 7pm and 10pm, 7 days a week.

If you are being bullied or harassed at work you need to tell a supervisor, or you can contact Women’s Legal Service Queensland or the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland for help on what to do.