A study of 6388 Aussie students has found that just over one in ten (12%) are diverse in sexuality, while 3.3% are gender diverse. 

The study, which looked at Aussie year 8 students from 2019 until 2021, also found sexuality and gender diversity were associated with each other, and both were associated with younger age and with diagnosis of poor mental health and disability. 

- Advertisement -

Researchers say the results underscore an urgent need for inclusive programs to promote a safe and welcoming environment in schools, healthcare settings, and communities, according to the team.

“We need child health policies that provide inclusion and support of diverse gender identities and diverse sexualities from a young age,” said the study’s lead author, Dr Jennifer Marino, a senior research fellow at the University of Sydney. “School and health settings particularly need to be safe spaces for very young adolescents.”

The research was jointly conducted by the University of Sydney, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), The University of Melbourne, Black Dog Institute, The University of New South Wales, The University of Western Australia, The Kids Research Institute Australia and Western Sydney University.

Marino said the findings showed the need for more research in the area. 

“Our observations support recommendations for child health policies that promote inclusion and support of diverse gender identities and sexualities from a young age to mitigate the deleterious impact of minority stress and internalised transphobia and homophobia,” she said.

“Future research with younger adolescents, particularly longitudinal and population-based studies, should include items about sexuality and gender identities, and we should conduct ongoing qualitative research with community, to ensure these items reflect lived experience of sexuality and gender diversity.”

The findings of the study were published online at JAMA.