‘Knowing you’re different but not understanding why is difficult.’ (Picture: Getty)

Learning that The Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health (RCPCH) is urging for primary school pupils to be educated on what it means to be LGBT, and seeing the reader comments on the article really sparked my interest.

As someone who has struggled with this issue through childhood, and now feels able to speak about LGBT matters confidently as a trans guy, I want to share my opinion.

I was born female but always believed I should have been born a boy; I remember feeling like I never fit in, even more so during puberty, but I didn’t know the meaning of trans until I was 14.



Although I had known from a very young age, I really struggled to come out, because I had to contend with a lot of pressure to conform to feminine stereotypes and be ‘girlier’.


I strongly believe it would be a good thing if young people are educated from a young age about what it means to be LGBT, as it really wasn’t until I met more understanding people my own age that I started to feel and become more accepted.

It’s important to know that there are people who are different from those you might normally be surrounded by, and that it’s okay to be you, whoever that is.

Knowing you’re different but not understanding why is difficult, especially during school years when you don’t have the ability to always express yourself confidently.

Those who identify as LGBT tend to have a feeling about it from a young age, but if there’s no education available or existing knowledge of others experiencing similar emotions, many young people just suppress these feelings.

If we actively provided safe spaces for young people who identify as LGBT, perhaps there wouldn’t be so many confused individuals who are too afraid to ask questions on topics like this in early stages of their development.

I know first-hand how judgemental school children can be.

This can lead to so many young people hiding who they truly are until they can finally admit it years later, but by then have missed out on years of happiness.

It’s sad, because schools could act as a brilliant environment to learn about everything in the world including sexuality and identities. It could be a place where children feel free to ask questions.

If both parents and teachers encouraged pupils to learn more on topics like LGBT, perhaps there would be more safe spaces for people who identify as gay, bi, trans etc.

Personally, I was fortunate to make really supportive friends in the summer of 2016 at the National Citizen Service (NCS) youth programme.

I remember one girl standing up in front of the entire group and announcing that she was bisexual.

Right then and there she showed me that we were in an environment that welcomed free expression. We’re still friends today.

My NCS group was actually the first group of people I chose to tell when I was ready to come out. I found some amazing friends there and the whole experience gave me the confidence to eventually brave the change, and be who I am.



Some people can underestimate how hard coming out is to the person doing it, and how lonely the world can feel when you’re different.

Growing up is hard enough without fully understanding who you really are, and constantly being told you should be like this or that.

If we actively provided safe spaces for young people who identify as LGBT, perhaps there wouldn’t be so many confused individuals who are too afraid to ask questions on topics like this in early stages of their development.

People might be able to grow up feeling proud of who they are instead of ashamed.

The earlier we can educate children, the better. Hopefully by doing so, the next few generations can help create a much more supportive and accepting society.

James, now 19 years old, is currently studying for a degree in children, young people and families with British Sign Language in York.

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