Background: Transition from the pediatric to adult health care system is an important phase of healthcare for youth with cerebral palsy (CP). Sexuality and gender are two very important components of health that are mostly ignored in the healthcare transition process. It is possible that health care providers only see a client’s disability, and therefore, key aspects of sexuality and gender diversity may be ignored, or deemed irrelevant as a result of their disability status. Therefore, the purpose of our study is to explore how gender and sexuality may influence the experience of health care transition for youth with cerebral palsy. Method: This is a qualitative study guided by van Manen’s phenomenology of practice (van Manen, 2014). van Manen\u27s phenomenological approach is a form of qualitative study approach which is grounded in life experiences and gives attention to the day-to-day life and it is very well suited for studying health care realities. The study population was youth with CP and Health care providers who are directly connected with the health care transitioning experience of the youth with CP. Results: Six main themes emerged from the participants narratives; 1) current state of gender identity and sexuality in CP, 2) knowledge and curiosity about gender identity & sexuality among youth with CP, 3) challenges with sexuality and gender identity, 4) societal influence and pressure, 5) sexual health support during healthcare transition, and 6) opportunities for change. Implication for practice: The findings suggest that incorporating conversations about sexuality and gender identity during health care transition is important because there is curiosity and lack of knowledge about sexuality and gender identity among youth with CP. It also suggests that increased training and education for health care providers will encourage these discussions and increase support to youth with CP
