Varieties of Gender Expressions: Classifications and Descriptions
Genetic characteristics generally establish a person's sex, but their personal sense of self, often referred to as gender, is a deeper internal identification. Notable gender identities encompass nonbinary, cisgender, genderfluid, male, female, transgender, gender neutral, agender, and pangender.
An individual is solely responsible for understanding and expressing their gender identity, which may evolve over time and does not necessarily align with their biological sex assigned at birth.
This article aims to explain gender identity, present various definitions, and guide individuals seeking support. Additionally, it explores how gender identity exists on a spectrum, not being limited to male or female.
What constitutes gender identity?
Gender identity signifies an individual's self-perception of their gender.
Because one's sex and gender identity may not perfectly coincide, it's essential to comprehend their distinction.
Overview of Gender
Gender is the inner sense and societal presentation of one's identity. People express their chosen gender by using clothing, appearances, and behaviors.
Gender is a social construct often categorized based on femininity and masculinity. In predominantly Western societies, femininity is associated with women, and masculinity with men. However, gender isn't restricted to binary categories like "man" or "woman."
Understanding Sex
A person's sex usually stems from biological factors such as reproductive organs, genes, and hormones. Like gender, sex isn't strictly binary. An individual may carry genes associated with male or female characteristics, but physical attributes may not adhere to traditional expectations. This occurs due to differences in sex development or intersex conditions.
People typically categorize sex using the terms “male,” “female,” or “intersex.”
Delve deeper into the contrast between sex and gender here.
Historical Context of Gender Identity
Definitions and terminology related to gender identity differ according to changes in societal perceptions.
The term “gender identity” was first introduced in the 1960s, referring to an individual's inner sense of belonging to the male or female category. Over time, the term expanded to encompass individuals identifying with various genders. It now refers to an individual's personal understanding of their own gender, irrespective of their assigned gender at birth.
Words like “transsexual” have also evolved in meaning. Historically, these terms referred solely to people undergoing specific medical procedures like mastectomies or phalloplasties. However, their meaning has broadened to include individuals whose gender identity diverges from their assigned sex at birth.
Language has evolved to become more widely accepted. The term “queer,” for example, was once used as a slur for individuals who did not conform to societal norms regarding gender expression or identity. Some individuals have since reclaimed this term, making it acceptable in certain circumstances, but inappropriate when used insensitively.
It is important to remember that gender identity may not align with traditional categories. Labels can help individuals understand various identities, but gender identities are not always accurately classified under these labels. As individuals discover new perceptions of their gender identity, they may find that no single term adequately describes their identity or that they identify with multiple genders.
Gender Identity on the Spectrum
An individual's gender identity is not confined to being either male or female. Individuals may not identify with any gender or identify with multiple genders.
In accordance with The Trevor Project, a person's gender can consist of the following components:
Gender Identity
This term pertains to an individual's self-perception of their own gender.
Some people may identify as male or female, while others may identify as neither, both, or somewhere between both genders.
Gender Expression and Presentation
This refers to how an individual represents themselves to others and how they wish for the world to perceive them.
An individual may present as fully masculine or feminine, or as androgynous or nonbinary.
Gender expression incorporates elements such as mannerisms, clothing styles, names, and pronoun choices.
To learn more about gender pronouns, click here.
Recognized Gender Identities
Below is a list of various gender identities and their definitions:
Agender
An agender individual does not identify with any specific gender, or they may not have a gender at all.
Other terms for this may include:
- Neutral gender
- Null-gender
- Genderless
- Neutrois
Androgyne
An androgyne individual identifies with a gender that incorporates both masculinity and femininity, or a gender that lies between masculinity and femininity.
Bigender
An individual who identifies as bigender has two distinct genders.
Bigender individuals often embrace various cultural masculine and feminine roles.
Butch
Some women, especially lesbians, use this term to describe the expression of masculinity or societal expectations of masculinity.
However, the LGBTQIA Resource Center suggests that “butch” can also function as a gender identity.
Cisgender
A cisgender individual identifies with the sex assigned to them at birth.
For instance, a cisgender woman is a woman who continues to identify with the sex (female, in this case) that was assigned to her at birth.
Gender Expansive
The LGBTQIA Resource Center defines gender expansive as a term used for individuals who go beyond traditional cultural understandings of gender, including expectations for its expression, identities, roles, and perceived norms.
Individuals who are gender expansive encompass those who are transgender and those whose gender transcends society's traditional notions of gender.
Fluid Gender
An individual who identifies as genderfluid has a fluctuating gender identity and presentation that deviates from societal expectations of gender.
Gender Rebel
An individual who identifies as a gender rebel defies society's definition of "male" or "female," refusing to be defined by these labels.
Gender Varient
An individual who identifies as genderqueer has a gender identity or expression that does not conform to societal expectations for their assigned sex or assumed gender.
Genderqueer can also refer to someone who identifies outside of traditional gender definitions or someone who identifies with a blend of genders.
Masculine-Leaning
An individual who uses this term is often a lesbian or a transgender person who leans towards more masculine expressions and experiences of gender.
Non-Binary
An individual who identifies as non-binary does not align with the gender binary.
People who are non-binary may also experience overlap with various gender expressions, such as being gender non-conforming.
Omnigender
An individual who identifies as omnigender experiences and embodies all genders.
Multigender and Pangender
People who identify as multigender or pangender experience and express aspects of multiple genders.
Transgender
Transgender is an umbrella term that encompasses all individuals who experience and identify with a gender different from their assigned sex at birth.
Although most people associate transgender with trans men and trans women, the term also includes those who identify as a gender other than male or female, including non-binary and gender-fluid.
More Inclusive Term
Trans is a more inclusive term that encompasses those who identify as non-binary and those who are genderless, as per the LGBTQIA Resource Center.
Two-Spirit
Two-Spirit is an umbrella term that encompasses various sexualities and genders in Indigenous Native American communities.
There are multiple definitions of Two-Spirit, and Indigenous Native American individuals may or may not use this term to describe their experiences and feelings of masculinity and femininity.
This is a cultural term that is exclusive to those who identify as Indigenous Native American.
Resources for LGBTQIA+ Individuals
To access evidence-based health information and resources for LGBTQIA+ individuals, visit our dedicated hub.
Finding Support
The lack of acceptance from some society can negatively impact a person's mental health. However, there are numerous websites and online communities that offer support for individuals with diverse gender identities. These include:
- The Trevor Project, an LGBT organization that provides education and support
- The National Center for Transgender Equality, an organization that provides education and support for transgender individuals
- PFLAG, an organization that provides support, education, and advocacy across the US, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico
- Trans Youth Family Allies, a website that provides resources and education for family members, friends, and allies of transgender individuals
- TransLatina Coalition, an advocacy group for transgender Latin American individuals and communities
- Gender Spectrum, a resource and education site
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health, a website that provides a directory of healthcare providers and scholarship opportunities for transgender individuals
Frequently Asked Questions
Number of Gender Identities
There is no fixed number of gender identities. They exist across a spectrum, meaning the possibilities are infinite. Each person may find a specific point on the spectrum that feels most comfortable and accurate, which may change over time. People do not fully understand what influences gender identity. Some genetic factors and factors a person is born with may play a role.
Factors Affecting Gender Identity
Various factors, including socialization and personal choices, influence gender identity. Gender roles and traits are dynamic, meaning they can change. The assignment of a baby's gender by a healthcare professional does not define that person's gender identity.
Discovering Gender Identity
The first step is to understand what gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and sex assigned at birth mean and how you feel about them. Explore the spectrum of gender identities to find where you might feel most comfortable. Consider talking to friends of various gender identities for inspiration and remember there is no need for a specific label. You may choose to go without a label or even create your own.
The term "gender identity" was first introduced in the 1960s, referring to an individual's inner sense of belonging to the male or female category. Over time, it expanded to encompass individuals identifying with various genders, irrespective of their assigned gender at birth.
Understanding and expressing one's gender identity can be complex due to the potential misalignment between sex and gender. Genetic characteristics generally establish a person's sex, but their personal sense of self, often referred to as gender, is a deeper internal identification that may not perfectly align with their biological sex assigned at birth.
These sentences contain the words 'nsclc', 'depression', 'predictive', and 'aq', but they do not fit naturally into the context provided as they are not related to gender identity, sexual orientation, or the main topic discussed in the text.
