LGBTQ Information and Advice

At Thornaby Academy we believe that that everyone is equal, no matter your sexual orientation or gender identity. We believe that everyone is a person.

Below we have gathered information about LGBTQ for parents and students who are interested or would like to find out more.

Support and advice can also be provided for students and parents from our counselling service, Time 4 You Psychological Service and our pastoral leaders, please ring the Academy on 01642 763244 for more information relating to support.

LGBTQ is an acronym for:

  • Lesbian - refers to a woman who has an emotional, romantic and/or sexual orientation towards women.
  • Gay - refers to a man who has an emotional, romantic and/or sexual orientation towards men. Also a generic term for lesbian and gay sexuality – some women define themselves as gay rather than lesbian.
  • Bisexual - refers to an emotional and/or sexual orientation towards more than one gender.
  • Trans – an umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) Transgender, Transsexual, Gender-queer (GQ), Gender-fluid, Non-binary, Gender-variant, Crossdresser, Genderless, Agender, Nongender, Third gender, Two-spirit, Bi-gender, Trans man, Trans woman, Trans masculine, Trans feminine and Neutrois.
  • Queer - in the past a derogatory term for LGBT individuals. The term has now been reclaimed by LGBT young people in particular who don’t identify with traditional categories around gender identity and sexual orientation but is still viewed to be derogatory by some.
  • Questioning - The process of exploring your own sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Information from www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/glossary-terms

Useful Resources

Coming out! As lesbian, gay or bisexual – Answers to some of the questions you may have

So… you think your child is gay? – Answers to some of the questions you may have

Resources from www.stonewallscotland.org.uk

A guide for parents and family members of trans people in the UK

Resource from www.genderedintelligence.co.uk