"Gender identity is the personal sense of one's own gender."
The way people see themselves in relation to their gender, sex, and sexual orientation. Identity can be fluid and may not always correspond to stereotypical expectations.
Sexual Orientation: Refers to one’s long-term pattern of physical and/or emotional attraction to individuals of a particular sex or gender.
Gender Identity: One’s own sense and perception of being male or female, which may or may not correspond to the sex biologically assigned at birth.
Intersex: A term used to describe a variety of inborn physical variations in the reproductive and/or sexual anatomy that do not fit typical binary male or female classifications.
Queer: An umbrella term used to refer to sexual and gender minorities who do not identify as heterosexual or cisgender.
Transgender: An individual whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth.
Gender Dysphoria: A condition in which an individual experiences distress or discomfort due to the mismatch between their gender identity and their biological sex.
Non-Binary Gender: Refers to individuals who identify outside of the traditional male and female binary, including but not limited to genderqueer, genderfluid, and agender identities.
Sexism: Discrimination or prejudice based on one’s perceived sex or gender.
Homophobia: A negative attitude or prejudice towards individuals or groups who are attracted to the same sex or identify as LGBTQIA+.
Heteronormativity: The assumption that heterosexuality is the norm, which can result in marginalization and discrimination towards those who do not conform to this norm.
Intersectionality: The interconnectedness of multiple identities and social constructs, such as race, gender, and sexual orientation.
Allyship: The act of actively supporting and advocating for marginalized individuals or communities.
Coming Out: The process of divulging one’s LGBTQIA+ identity to others.
Conversion Therapy: A harmful practice of attempting to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity through therapy or other means.
LGBTQIA+ History: The history of LGBTQIA+ individuals and their experiences throughout various cultures and time periods.
Heterosexual: Attraction to individuals of the opposite sex.
Homosexual: Attraction to individuals of the same sex.
Bisexual: Attraction to individuals of both genders.
Pansexual: Attraction to individuals regardless of their gender identity or expression.
Asexual: A lack of sexual attraction or interest.
Demisexual: Attraction to individuals with whom there is a strong emotional connection.
Queer: A non-specific term for those who do not fit into traditional sexual or gender categories.
Polyamorous: The desire and ability to have multiple romantic and sexual relationships simultaneously.
Androgynous: An individual who appears both male and female.
Intersex: Individuals born with sex characteristics that do not fit typical male or female categories.
Genderfluid: Someone whose gender identity shifts between male and female, or somewhere in between.
Genderqueer: An identity that rejects traditional male or female categories.
Non-binary: A gender identity that is not male or female.
Transgender: An individual who feels a strong disconnect between their sex assigned at birth and their true gender identity.
Cisgender: An individual whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth.
"Gender identity can correlate with a person's assigned sex or can differ from it."
"While a person may express behaviors, attitudes, and appearances consistent with a particular gender role, such expression may not necessarily reflect their gender identity."
"The term gender identity was coined by psychiatry professor Robert J. Stoller in 1964."
"The gender binary refers to a basic division between gender attributes assigned to males and females in most societies."
"Some of those people may call themselves transgender, gender non-binary, genderqueer, gender expansive, or something else."
"Some societies have third gender categories."
"Gender identity develops surprisingly rapidly in the early childhood years, and in the majority of instances appears to become at least partially irreversible by the age of 3 or 4."
"Considerable scientific evidence has emerged demonstrating a durable biological element underlying gender identity."
"There do not seem to be external forces that genuinely cause individuals to change gender identity."
"Essentialists argue that gender identity is determined at birth by biological and genetic factors."
"Social constructivists argue that gender identity and the way it is expressed are socially constructed, instead determined by cultural and social influences."
"The term gender identity was...popularized by the controversial psychologist John Money."
"The gender binary includes expectations of masculinity and femininity in all aspects of sex and gender: biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation."
"In most individuals, the various biological determinants of sex are congruent, and consistent with the individual's gender identity."
"With exceptions, 'Gender identity develops surprisingly rapidly in the early childhood years.'"
"Individuals may make choices due to other factors in their lives, but there do not seem to be external forces that genuinely cause individuals to change gender identity."
"Gender identity and the way it is expressed are socially constructed, instead determined by cultural and social influences."
"Individuals may make choices due to other factors in their lives."
"Gender identity...appears to become at least partially irreversible by the age of 3 or 4."