"Gender expression, or gender presentation, is a person's behavior, mannerisms, interests, and appearance that are socially associated with gender, namely femininity or masculinity."
Refers to the ways in which a person expresses their gender identity to others through clothing, behavior, and other characteristics.
Gender identity: The internal sense of self as male, female, both or neither.
Gender expression: The external manifestation of one's gender identity through clothing, behavior, and language.
Gender roles: The sets of societal expectations regarding what is acceptable behavior, attitudes, and roles for individuals based on their perceived gender identity.
Gender stereotypes: Overgeneralized and simplified beliefs about gender.
Gender socialization: The process through which individuals learn the norms, values, and beliefs associated with gender in society.
Binary gender: The idea that there are only two distinct genders: male and female.
Non-binary gender: The identity of individuals who do not identify as exclusively male or female.
Transgender: Describes individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth.
Cisgender: Describes individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex assigned at birth.
Gender dysphoria: The distress experienced by individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth.
Intersectionality: The concept that individuals experience different forms of oppression and discrimination based on the intersection of their identities (e.g. race, gender, sexuality, etc.).
Heteronormativity: The assumption that heterosexuality is the norm and that all individuals should be heterosexual.
LGBTQ+: An umbrella term encompassing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other non-heterosexual identities.
Sexuality: Refers to an individual's sexual orientation/preferences towards different genders.
Pronouns: Words used in place of a person's name. In gender theories, there are pronouns such as he/him/his, she/her/hers, they/them/theirs, etc., meant to be used for referring to different gender identities.
Intersex: A term used to describe individuals who have physical attributes that do not fit typical male or female classifications.
Gender expression restrictions: Gender expression is restricted depending on the traditional roles prescribed to each gender.
Gender fluidity: Refers to a concept wherein an individual's gender identity may shift or change over time.
Gender binary: The belief that there are only two genders which are male or female.
Femininity: Refers to the qualities and traits attributed to women, including but not limited to submissiveness, delicateness, and gracefulness.
Masculinity: Refers to the qualities and traits attributed to men, including but not limited to strength, dominance, and assertiveness.
Masculine: Traits, behaviors, and characteristics that are traditionally associated with males or masculinity, such as assertiveness or physical strength.
Feminine: Traits, behaviors, and characteristics that are traditionally associated with females or femininity, such as empathy or nurturing.
Androgynous: A combination of both masculine and feminine traits or a lack of clear gender expression.
Non-binary/genderqueer: Individuals who do not identify as exclusively male or female, and may identify as a combination of genders or no gender at all.
Transgender: Individuals whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth.
Gender-nonconforming: Individuals who do not conform to traditional gender norms or expectations.
Two-Spirit: A term used by some Indigenous peoples of North America to describe individuals who embody both masculine and feminine qualities.
Agender: Individuals who identify as having no gender or a lack of gender identity.
Genderfluid: Individuals who experience shifts in their gender identity and expression over time, or may identify as multiple genders.
Bigender: Individuals who identify as having two distinct gender identities or expressions, which may shift or change over time.
"Gender expression can also be defined as the external manifestation of one's gender identity through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, voice, or body characteristics."
"A person's behavior, mannerisms, interests, and appearance are all factors associated with gender expression."
"Typically, people think about a person's gender expression in terms of masculinity and femininity, but there are many more ways to express gender than just those two options."
"A person's gender expression may or may not match their assigned sex at birth."
"Gender expression includes gender roles and accordingly relies on cultural stereotypes about gender."
"It is distinct from gender identity.