Gender and Sexuality
Gender and sexuality are more multidimensional than people generally
realize.
Sex refers to one’s biological status as male or female. It is typically “assigned” at birth, appears on our birth certificate, and is based on physical attributes such as sex chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, internal reproductive structures, and external genitalia. Sexual orientation is the nature of one’s physical and emotional attraction to another. Gender identity is the deeply felt sense of oneself as male or female, neither or other. Gender expression is the set of external behaviors and characteristics (i.e. dress, mannerisms, social interactions, speech patterns, etc.) that one displays that are “generally” considered to be masculine or feminine.
Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe people whose gender identity or gender expression differs from that usually associated with their birth sex. Many transgender people live part-time or full-time as members of the other gender. Broadly speaking, anyone whose identity, appearance, or behavior falls outside of conventional gender norms can be described as transgender. However, not everyone whose appearance or behavior is gender-atypical will identify as a transgender person.
Gender and sexual orientation each exist along a continuum with many shades of gray. Therapy that addresses issues of gender and sexuality needs to acknowledge the wide spectrum of possible life paths, and combinations of sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
To learn more about gender and sexuality, follow the links on the left
menu.