UNDERSTANDING GENDER

In our 21st century modern society many aspects have changed and developed: technology,
communication, industry, there is a social awareness of pollution, self-care, new lifestyles and ways of
pensive ourselves have appeared. Among all these developments one of the biggest changes which cause
more struggles in understanding is Gender identity.

WHAT IS GENDER IDENTITY?

Today Gender is perceived even more widely than just being men and women. Gender identity is how a
person sees themselves – their own internal sense and personal experience of gender. Gender isn’t about
someone’s anatomy, only the individual can determine their own gender identity. Most societies think
there are only two genders that people identify with because of their genitals, either male or female. This
belief is called the gender binary. There is now more awareness of, and support for, the different ways
that people identify outside of the gender binary. People who do not identify as a man or a woman may
identify as both genders, neither gender, between genders, or not gendered at all. Gender does not always
match a person’s assigned sex at birth, and gender can change over time.
Some people whose biological sex does not match their gender identity may make physical and social
changes to express their identified gender. This may involve using a different name, pronouns, clothing,
and hair or makeup style. It may also involve medical changes, such as taking hormones or getting
gender-affirming surgery. This process is called transition.

GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL

ORIENTATION
One important distinction to make is the difference between gender and Sexual orientation, which are
often incorrectly conflated. In actuality, gender and sexual orientation are two distinct, but related, aspects
of self. Gender is personal (how we see ourselves), while sexual orientation refers to who you are
romantically or sexually attracted to; whether you are attracted to the same gender as your own or another
gender. Your sexual identity can also be linked and matched to your sexual orientation, such as
homosexuality (being sexually attracted to people of the same sex), bisexuality (being sexually attracted
to people of both genders) or heterosexuality (being sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex).
When we confuse gender with sexual orientation, we are likely to make assumptions about a young
person that have nothing to do with who they are. For example: The boy who loves to play princess is
assumed to be gay, and the girl who buys clothes in the “boys’” section and favors a short haircut may be
assumed to be a lesbian. These could be faulty conclusions. What someone wears and how they act is
about gender expression and you cannot tell what a person’s sexual orientation is by what they have on.

GENDER IDENTITY TERMS

Among genders we can find:

 Androgyny: The terms androgyne, agender, and neutrois are sometimes used by people who
identify as genderless,non-gendered, beyond or between genders, or some combination thereof.
 Cisgender: A gender identity that society considers to “match” the biological sex assigned at
birth.
 Genderqueer or Gender Fluid: These terms are used by people who identify as being between
male or female. They may feel they are neither, a little bit of both, or they may simply feel
restricted by gender labels.
 Intersex : A general term used for a variety of genetic, hormonal, or anatomical conditions in
which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical
definitions of female or male. Some intersex individuals identify as transgender or gender variant;
others do not.
 Transgender: First coined to distinguish gender benders with no desire for surgery or hormones
from transsexuals, those who desired to legally and medically change their sex.
 Transsexual: The term transsexual has historically been used to refer to individuals who have
medically and legally changed their sex, or who wish to do so. Most transsexual people feel a
conflict between their gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth.
 Two-Spirit: A person who identified with the Native American tradition of characterizing certain
members of the community as having the spirit of both the male and female genders

GENDER DISCRIMINATION
Although there are a growing acceptance and recognition in society, discrimination still exist and many
people experience discrimination that can have a big impact on their health and wellbeing.

Compared to straight people (genders which are believe to be normal – man or woman), nearly twice as
many people who aren’t straight are discriminated or abused because of their gender identity and
sexuality, these attitudes and beliefs are usually due to the irrational fears and misunderstandings learnt in
families, communities, cultures or religion which lead them to discriminate harm and abuse people at a
high rates. Fear of discrimination and abuse leads to many people hiding their sexuality or gender identity
and avoiding getting information about their bodies. Moreover, discrimination, harm and abuse lead many
people struggle with depression, anxiety, substance abuse and self-harm since they start to believe these
negative attitudes and beliefs about themselves and may feel uncomfortable or disapproving of their own
sexuality or gender identity.

There are several common words to describe the fear, discomfort or mistrust people have toward Gender
identity:

 Homophobia: Means discrimination towards people who identify as Gay, Lesbian or

Homoromantic Asexual.
 Biphobia: Means discrimination towards people who identify as Bisexual or Pansexual.
  Transphobia: Means discrimination towards people who are transgender, genderqueer or don’t
follow traditional gender norms.

WHAT WE CAN DO TO STOP DISCRIMINATION

AGAINST GENDER IDENTITY?
 Practice ways to speak up against discrimination, If you feel safe doing so. It can help to practice
responses to offensive comments/jokes you hear a lot.
 Don’t use offensive language to describe people and be aware of how can be hurtful.
 Avoid making assumptions or stereotypes about people. Remember that you cannot tell a
person’s body or sexuality or gender identity just by looking at them.
 Practice using words and sayings that don’t make assumptions about someone’s sexuality and
gender identity. Ask “Do you have a partner?” rather than “Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend
 Use the name a person has asked you to use even if you know they used to go by a different name
that matched their assigned gender at birth.

At the end it is important to know that today’s young people have significantly different
understandings of gender than previous generations and in order to bridge this gap, those who were
raised with a more limited view of gender can give themselves an opportunity to explore gender with
new eyes, to read and ask questions to better understand gender’s complexity. As with any learning
experience, they’ll learn more about the world around them and about themselves in the process. And,
at the same time, they’ll be able to cope with young people, give them the support they need and they
won’t discriminate and offence others.