Identity is not just one thing. Here are some examples of different factors that can shape your identity:
- Family and culture
- Language
- Hobbies and interests
- Gender identity
- Sexual orientation
- Background
- Personal values
- Community
Intersectionality
Sometimes, different parts of your identity overlap and affect your life experiences. This is called intersectionality, a concept developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw.
Intersectionality helps us understand that people can face more than one challenge or form of discrimination at the same time. For example, someone might experience barriers related to their deafness, race, gender, or mental health.
Intersectionality also reminds us that everyone’s experiences are different. By understanding intersectionality, we can be more supportive, inclusive, and aware of others.
Deaf identity
There is no right or wrong way to be deaf.
For some people, deaf identity is closely linked to:
- Sign language
- Shared experiences
- Deaf community
- Culture (pride in deaf culture)
How you identify as a deaf person is unique to you. And you can still have a deaf identity even if you don’t use sign language or go to deaf groups.
Understanding your deaf identity can help you feel more confident and proud of who you are. It can also give you a sense of belonging and connection to others.
Gender identity
Gender identity is how you see and feel about yourself as a boy, girl, or both, non-binary person, neither or something else. It’s about who you are inside. This can be the same or different to the gender you were assigned at birth.
Definitions:
- Cis / cisgender – the sex they were assigned at birth is the same as their gender identity.
- Trans / transgender – sometimes, the sex people were assigned at birth doesn’t match their gender identity, they may use the term ‘trans’ to describe themselves.
- Non-binary – some people don’t identify as either a girl or a boy, and they may describe themselves as non-binary.
Some people may change how they look and dress or use different names and pronouns. There’s no right or wrong way to express your gender identity, whether you make any change is your choice.
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation (or sexual identity) is a way to describe who you’re attracted to. This could be being attracted to people with a different gender, people of the same gender, or people of all genders, and some people don’t fancy anyone at all.
Tips for deaf young people
- Believe in yourself, be proud of your unique identity.
- Remember to be kind to yourself and others.
- Meet other people like you, in deaf clubs, social groups or in the community.
- Talk to someone for advice or support if you have any worries or are feeling low. Our Children and Young People Advisers are here if you need someone impartial to talk to.
This article contains some tips and advice from our “Who Am I? Exploring Identity” Workshop. For more, you can ask your school or teacher to book the full workshop.
One to one wellbeing support
Register your interest today. Our trained advisors have years of experience working with deaf young people and they look forward to meeting you.
