Key concepts: Gender, sex and identity

Gender, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation – these terms are all regularly used when discussing gender equality, and sometimes they are used interchangeably. It is important to know the meanings of the terms, so let’s take a closer look at the different definitions:

Gender

Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender diverse people. It influences how people perceive themselves and each other, how they act and interact, and the distribution of power and resources in society. There is considerable diversity in how individuals and groups understand, experience and express gender through the roles they take on, the expectations placed on them, relations with others and the complex ways that gender is institutionalized in society. For instance, what is considered “feminine” and/or “masculine” in a society changes over time and can look different both within and between cultures.

Sex

Sex refers to a set of biological attributes in humans and animals. It is primarily associated with physical and physiological features including chromosomes, gene expression, hormone levels and function, and reproductive/sexual anatomy. Sex is usually categorized as female or male but there is variation in the biological attributes that comprise sex and how those attributes are expressed.

Gender identity

Gender identity refers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of one’s gender. This may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth, including the personal sense of the body. This may involve modification of bodily appearance or function and other gender expression including speech and dress. Simply put – gender identity is who you ARE – female, male, queer, transgender etc.

Sexual orientation

In addition to having a gender identity, everyone has a sexual orientation. This refers to who you are sexually attracted to and/or want to have relationships with. There are various identities associated with sexual orientation, such as: heterosexual, asexual, lesbian, gay and bisexual.