Gender

Gender refers to the social construct of roles, behaviours and norms between societies. This is not to be confused with our sex. Sex is our biological status that is typically assigned at birth, based on our internal and external anatomy. If someone identifies as transgender, their gender is different to their sex assigned at birth. They may be assigned female at birth, but identify as male. 

Similarly to sexuality, it is important to establish that although your gender expression may fall into one of these umbrella terms, you do not have to use it if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. Not everything requires a label or a set term. Some enjoy using these labels, some do not and some just use them to help people understand their gender identity to others. This is down to personal preference and comfort. 

You may find many stereotypes across the internet.  This is when someone assumes that due to some oversimplification of gender identity, a person who identifies that way must hold very particular traits or looks. This is however not the case. Everyone is free to express themselves however they wish; hobbies, fashion, makeup, career. Just because you identify as an LGBTQ+ individual, does not mean you have to fall into a stereotype. No one is required to act, to dress, to talk in any particular way. Stereotypes will always exist but this does not have any bearing on how you should express yourself. 

There are many different gender identities, many of these and their definitions can be found in our A-Z List.