Gender Identity and Terms in the 21st Century
Concerns over nonbinary and transgender people’s acceptance and equality and the challenges they face regarding their rights frequently pop up on almost all electronic devices. Hopefully, the issues surrounding gender identity will be solved over time.
Identity defines a person. Whether mental, physical, or chemical, identity can mean various things. Though they are sometimes used interchangeably, sex and gender are two quite separate ideas that affect identity.
Gender is a philosophical concept that covers a range of mental, physical, and behavioral traits that set apart a male from a female. Sex, on the other hand, is a biological classification. Someone’s gender identity is a reflection of their unique gender experience. Gender identification is a personal choice anyone makes, which they expect to be respected.
Sexual Identity Terms You Should Know
Talking about gender identity and sexual orientation or expression often results in societal discrimination, especially in America. That is why those identifying outside the ‘norm’ will rather pretend to be who they’re not because of social stigma.
This section aims to provide people with the terms and definitions they need to have simpler and more enjoyable conversations. Note that you should never disrespect or fail to pay attention to someone using their unique terminology.
These terms include but aren’t limited to:
Ally
A word used to describe a person who actively supports the LGBTQ+ community. It includes allies who identify as straight or cisgender and members of the LGBTQ+ group who provide mutual support to one another, such as a lesbian supporting the bisexual community.
Biphobia
The hatred, fear, or discomfort of being around people who love or identify with multiple genders.
Asexual
Asexual, often abbreviated as “ace,” describes a person who is completely or partially lacking any sexual desire or who is not interested in engaging in sexual activities with others. There are different forms of asexuality, and those who fall under this category may or may not feel any sexual desire at all.
Gay
An individual who’s sexually, emotionally, or romantically attracted to people they’re the same gender with. Women, men, and non-binary individuals use this term to identify themselves.
Bisexual
A person who is attracted to different genders in different ways or degrees, whether romantically, emotionally, or sexually, though not always simultaneously. This term is occasionally used synonymously with pansexual.
Intersex
People who identify as intersex were born with differences in their reproductive anatomy and sex traits. These differences include chromosome variations, hormone response, genitalia, gonads, hormone production, internal sex organs, or secondary sex traits.
Genderqueer
People who identify as genderqueer usually reject the idea that there are fixed gender roles and instead value the ambiguity of gender identity and, sometimes, sexual orientation. Individuals who identify with this term may consider themselves neither female nor male, both female and male, or entirely outside of these categories.
Outing
Revealing to others that you are a lesbian, bisexual, transgender, gay, or gender non-binary person without their consent. Coming out to someone can have detrimental effects on one’s job, financial security, personal safety, family, or religious situations.
Non-binary
An adjective that describes someone who doesn’t only identify as male or female. People who identify as non-binary may do so by identifying as fully outside of these categories, being both men and women or anywhere in between.
Questioning
A phrase used for describing individuals who are still learning about their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Transitioning
A set of procedures that certain transgender individuals might go through to live more naturally as their gender. This usually comprises medical transition, such as gender-affirming surgery and hormone therapy, and legal transition, like changing their legal sex and name on government documents. On the societal level, they might change their pronouns.
Bottom Line
It is vital to create an atmosphere where people may openly express their gender identity without worrying about being marginalized as society evolves. Accepting this diversity preserves the core values of human dignity and equality while also enhancing our social and cultural fabric.