This paper will explore how public perceptions and responses to private matters regarding gender and age can impact policy and support. Research shows that there is a complicated and entangled relationship between gender and age. This working paper will use an intersectional analysis to examine how this relationship between gender and age can become even further compounded when aiming to achieve legitimacy and authenticity, in relation to identity.

From public appeals due to the misreading’s of the Equality Act 2010 to claims around “harmful” support for young people, the existence of transgender and non-binary support has become a public interest once again as support agencies are questioning their legitimacy. Various narratives exist within this space but still the question of when a person can choose ‘authentically’ to decide to transition in socio-legal and medical spaces remains unanswered. This research sets out to examine the right to choose, and when this right can be exercised in relation to young people and the intersections between medical/political choices and gender identity. This paper will provide the foreground of this research as the literature and early research design will be presented.