High school in a time of sexual diversity

Transgender is an overarching term used to describe individuals and groups whose behaviours vary from conventional gender roles.

Sexuality, gender and issues of the lesbian, gay, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning (LGTIQ) community have been highlighted in the media recently via celebrity endorsement, support and campaigns.

Earlier this year Lady Gaga reportedly cast transsexuals for her Born This Way video clip while Angelina Jolie told Vanity Fair that her 5-year-old daughter Shiloh wants to be a boy.

Meanwhile closer to home 19-year-old Mikey came out as a lesbian as a 14-year-old and then began transitioning into a male soon after that.

"High school was horrific, absolutely horrific," he said.

"I would be pushed up against walls and people and girls at my school would threaten to show me that I was a girl too by threatening me with assault and sexual assault."

He knew he was finished with high school when his younger sister, who was 10 years old at the time, was sought out by the same bullies and attacked.

"They went up to her and told her things like 'we're going to make sure you don't turn out like a freak like your sister is'," he said.

Attending a school formal or ball was never an option for Mikey due to the myriad of issues he faced as a confused and ostracised Year 9 student who was considering the transition from female to male.

"I never considered going to a school ball, I was too afraid."

In October 2007 he sought refuge and support at the Freedom Centre, which was originally established for gay men's education programs and is now an all gender space and part of the Federal Government's National Suicide Prevention Strategy.

"I wholeheartedly believe that I would be dead if it weren't for the Freedom Centre," he said.

It was through the support services and programs funded by the Mental Health Commission and provided by the Freedom Centre that gave Mikey the courage to leave his Perth-based high school and enrol in a different education environment to complete his schooling.

After going "stealth", a transgender term for not disclosing an individual's gender or sexuality, he then went onto to graduate and is now successfully climbing the corporate ladder.

Mikey is one of the lucky ones, according to Freedom Centre Coordinator Dani Wright.

"Mikey's family accepted and supported him and his decisions from a young age," Ms Wright said.

Yet she pointed out to WAtoday.com.au that the rates of young lesbian, gay, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning (LGTIQ) people becoming homeless and dropping out of high school was increasing rapidly but were severely under-represented and reported in the wider community.

"There are so many other issues that sex and gender-diverse people face at high school," Ms Wright added.

"Which toilet do they use? What uniform do they wear? Will teachers and students use, or at least try to use, the correct names and pronouns? Then there are the issues of violence and discrimination that they may face.

"We have seen it become more socially acceptable over the past decade to be a gay guy or a lesbian but those who are sexually or gender diverse are still predominantly invisible."

Over the past six years Ms Wright has seen a growing number of young people from the ages of 14 to 26 seek support and education about sex and gender diversity at the Freedom Centre.

Almost a decade ago there was only a handful of sexually and gender-diverse people who regularly sought the resources of the centre - managed by the WA AIDS Council - but attendance numbers were increasing.

"We are now seeing between 15 and 20 people attending regular programs and using the space as a safe social environment," she said.

Ms Wright said that in recent times the Freedom Centre had been contacted by a number of parents with children as young as eight who were already showing signs of sex and gender diversity.

Follow Jenna Clarke on Twitter @jennamclarke