Most days we turn on the news (or never turn it on) and have to shut it right back off because, let’s be honest, there is more hate than guidance or political leadership these days. 

Particularly with gender expression, the sense of safety is unfortunately diminishing due to harmful and non-regulated lies being pushed about gender being binary in the mass media. 

Comments that enforce binary and gender-conforming policies are harmful and often used as tools of control and manipulation.

Unfortunately, locating and sifting through harmful regulations, policies, or articles can be overwhelming and deter you from exploring.

Through therapy, we give you a sense of safety and understanding that is currently being stripped away from so many marginalized individuals that have worked so hard to be where they are today. 

Our therapists will guide you at your pace with safe, factual education that is backed by research and inclusive to all.

How do I decipher what to believe and what to feel about my identity in these hateful climates?

Power and hateful tactics are a common theme swirling the internet these days. 

It is extremely common to want to hide away and question your sense of identity as being transgender, gender fluid, gender non-comforming, or any self-identifying description that feels most connected to you. 

Researching general gender identity information to educate yourself is a privilege, but also a powerful tool to have during this political climate and for everyday knowledge. 

Identifying as transgender is an umbrella definition and it looks different for everyone who uses this term, or does not.

Remember!

1. No one has the right to force you into any expression. Period. 
2. There is no rule or law that you have to feel connected to any one label and not wanting to classify your identity to others is completely your choice. 
3. It is common and okay to feel confused and question yourself as you grow and experience new levels of your identity. The journey or self exploration is not linear and it is meant to feel like you are testing what feels the most comfortable to you.
4. Having others place labels on how you express your gender can have lasting impacts on your mental and emotional health. 

Is conforming to the mass easier and less risky?

No! Now with laws being pushed to fit a harmful religious political agenda, discriminatory narratives about transgender individuals are spreading fast. If you find yourself questioning the safety of expressing your identity due to these factors, speak to a therapist that can validate and keep you informed on your rights. 

No one should ever have the power to make you feel shame or guilt for wanting to align your gender and sexuality with what feels right to you. 

Your gender identity and sexual orientation are in fact separate. A person’s gender identity is on a spectrum and it is associated with whatever feels most comfortable to you on an emotional level and internally. 

Your gender identity and how you express it with your behaviors, clothes, language, and physical appearance does not have to be the same everyday nor does it have to make sense to anyone, but you. 

Your sexual orientation is also on a spectrum and is in respect to a person’s sexual attraction or lack thereof. Suppressing your gender identity and sexual orientation can be harmful to oneself and rids the world of the beauty of individual self-expression. 

Why should I explore my identity with all this pushback around me?

1. Increase in self-esteem, when you start prioritizing yourself and exploring what makes you feel whole, you can increase your self-esteem.
2. Your creativity and self-expression can bring confidence back to not only yourself, but others too. Creativity and confidence are contagious and bring beauty into the world.
3. You deserve to feel pleasure in life.
4. Your sense and self will be strengthened, increasing your awareness of your values, desires and mental healing capacity.

What are the categories of gender identity? 

These are all on a spectrum and are also currently being banned from governmental sites. Be aware, so you can be safe!

• Agender- a gender identity in which a person does not identify with any gender
• Gender fluid
• Bigender
• Genderqueer
• Transgender
• Intersex
• Androgyne
• Aromantic
• Gay
• Nonbinary
• Asexual
• Bisexual
• Transfeminine
• Cisnormativity
• Demigender
• Cisgender
• Gender dysphoria
• Gender expression

If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, we’re here to support you. Reach out to us today.

If you’re experiencing an emergency, please use the information found here.