Questioning (sexuality and gender)

The questioning of one's gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, or all three is a process of exploration by people who may be unsure, still exploring, and concerned about applying a social label to themselves for various reasons. The letter "Q" is sometimes added to the end of the acronym LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender); the "Q" can refer to either queer or questioning. It is even expanded further as LGBTQIA to include intersexuals and asexuals. Many LGBT student groups and literature include questioning in their literature; in the case of gay-straight alliance groups they do so in part so students are not compelled to label themselves or choose a sexual identity.

According to the American Psychological Association: "Adolescence can be a period of experimentation, and many youths may question their sexual feelings. Becoming aware of sexual feelings is a normal developmental task of adolescence. Sometimes adolescents have same-sex feelings or experiences that cause confusion about their sexual orientation. This confusion appears to decline over time, with different outcomes for different individuals."

Some youths avoid coming out or even acknowledging their sexual orientation because of social stigma. For some youths, acknowledging their lesbian, gay or bisexual identity can bring an end to confusion. Those who receive support are often able to live satisfying and healthy lives and move through the usual process of adolescent development; those who face bullying, ostracism or other forms of oppression are more likely to be at risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts, and to engage in highrisk activities, such as unprotected sex and alcohol and drug abuse. Questioning youth are at higher risk for victimization, suicidal thoughts, and drug and alcohol abuse even than lesbian, gay and bisexual youth, possibly due to marginalization from straight and LGB peers alike.

A disorder of anxiety or depression related to an uncertainty about one's gender identity or sexual orientation has been classified as sexual maturation disorder by the World Health Organization in the ICD-10, under "Psychological and behavioural disorders associated with sexual development and orientation". Sexual orientation, by itself, is not a disorder and is not classified under this heading. It also differs from ego-dystonic sexual orientation where the sexual orientation or gender identity is repressed or denied.