The Gender Files
What is gender? For many years, it meant being “male” or “female”. But attitudes are changing. Gender is now seen as an identity, something that is both constructed by society, and felt from within. It is not tied to biology, and more young people than ever are identifying as transgender or gender-fluid. In this special series, The Day interviews five British teenagers from across the gender spectrum…
Xanthe, 15: ‘You can just have fun with gender’
What does it mean to be gender-fluid? Xanthe tells The Day that they do not feel like a boy or a girl. “I’m just me,” they say. More teenagers...
Luke, 16: ‘My mum struggled with the name’
What is the biggest issue faced by trans teens? Luke tells The Day about struggles with friends and school — but says the main problem is parents...
Hannah, 18: ‘Hey, I’m trans, and that’s okay’
How does it feel to be a transgender teenager? YouTuber and trans activist Hannah talks to The Day about coming out, the media, and changing her...
Tia, 15: ‘I think as a girl it’s very stressful’
Why do so many teenage girls feel depressed? In The Day’s series on gender, Tia explains the many different pressures young girls face, from exams, to make-up, to Brexit.
Callum, 17: ‘I put a poker face on my anxiety’
Why do boys struggle to show their emotions? Callum has an offer from Cambridge University. But in our new series on gender and young people, he says he finds it hard to show his excitement…