Gender and Sexual Orientation

Biological Sex

Refers to a person's biology (body parts, hormones, DNA0-male, female, or intersex.

gender identity

refers to how a person feels inside and is not physical. For example, a person born with biologically female genitals, but mentally and emotionally that person may identify as a man.

Gender expression

the way in which a person expresses their gender identity, typically through their appearance, dress, and behavior.

sexual orientation

a person's sexual, romantic and/or emotional/spiritual attraction to other people

heterosexual

sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex

Gay

refers to people who are sexually attracted to their own gender. (men attracted to other men)

lesbian

refers to people who are sexually attracted to their own gender. (women attracted to other women)

Bisexual

a person who is sexually attracted to both sexes (male and female)

Transgender

Identification with a gender (gender identity- a socialized trait) that does not match one's biological gender (gender assigned at birth based on their biological sex).

Intersex

a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn't seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male. (refers to a person who is born with physical characteristics of both males a

coming out

to openly declare one's true identity to those who might not be aware of it; the process of letting other people know that you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, etc.

Homophobia

an irrational fear or hatred of non-heterosexual people based on myth, negative stereotypes, and misinformation.

LGBTQ

individuals whose sexual orientation is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered, or who are currently questioning their sexual orientation

Cis-gender

Individuals whose gender identity corresponds to their biological sex