EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GENDER SEXUALITY AND PRIDE

Gender and sex are two popular terms with different meanings. Sex refers to biological variations, whereas gender refers to cultural and social differences. Herein is more about gender, sexuality, and pride, including; gender identity, sexuality, common sexuality definitions, factors influencing gender identity, and gender expression. 

Gender and sex are intrinsically linked and unchangeable; males are or should be masculine, and females are feminine. Many cultures have strict assumptions of how boys and girls should behave and stereotypes of what is deemed appropriate feminine and masculine behavior.

According to Deutsch & Buchholz (2015), a person who identifies as transgender has a gender identity that differs from the sex with which they were born. Transgender people can use drugs or surgery to 'transition' from the biological sex given to them at birth to express their gender. This idea may not be a viable solution for everyone.

What a person feels determines how they identify their gender, which can vary or remain constant. Gender identity and presentation can be thought of as being on a scale. Some people identify as more female or masculine, while others are in the middle or neutral. Gender fluid people feel their sexuality shifts.

LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.

Their sexuality does not determine the gender of a person.

Gender orientation refers to who a person is sexually attached to, whereas gender identity refers to how people perceive themselves, feel and think. People can be heterosexual, lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, or pansexual in their sexuality. Their gender identity could be male, female, non-binary, gender fluid, or trans. 

Common Definitions

There are distinct varieties of sexuality. The list below contains some definitions you may find useful;

• Gay refers to guys who are attracted to other men.
• Lesbians are females who are engrossed with other females.
• Bisexuality refers to a person's fascination with two or more genders. 
• We are said to be heterosexual if we are connected to the opposite sex.
• Cisgender (cis) refers to people whose sex and gender are the same.
• Asexual: a person who has little or no sexual attraction to others.
• Queer is used to attribute to a sexual desire that is not heterosexual and is appreciated by the LGBT community; there are many young people. Previously pejorative, LGBTQ people's use of the term has become more inclusive.

Sexuality

Schneider et al. (2002) noted that sexuality and sexual orientation refer to who a person is drawn to mentally and emotionally. This could be a romantic or emotional attraction or a combination of the two. It is normal for people to explore their sexuality as they age. They may be more interested in sex as they enter adolescence and start dating or forming connections. 

Several individuals may be unclear regarding their sexuality when we start to explore partnerships. They may not know who they want to attract, or their sexuality may evolve. It's normal, and if you're going through something similar, you can share your sentiments with someone you can trust. 

Gender Identity

It’s how a person perceives, defines, or experiences their gender. The gender at birth may be incorrect.  People are not what they appear.

People express gender identity through their internal image, pronouns, clothing choices, and other beauty accessories. 

Gender identification could be either masculine or female.

 People who cannot be termed male or female are known as non-binary.

Transgender

 Trans is used to defining individuals with a different gender from their birth.

Trans people may experience a disconnection between their internal and external selves.

The term "transgender" refers to those with gender identification and expression that differs from birth. Trans-sexual,  genderqueer, third gender, drag king, drag queen, and gender non-conforming are the most common transgender identities. In almost all circumstances, the terms transvestite and tranny are pejorative.

These are self-defined terminology, and even within the trans community, there is some debate about which terms are favored. Don't assume, inquire, or refer to someone using these expressions if you aren't invited. When discussing trans subjects, gender persons should avoid using "transgender" or the shorthand "trans*." Always treat these words with deference. Transgender identity is distinct from sexual orientation. Straight, queer, gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, and other terms describe transgender persons. 

Factors that Influence Gender Identity 

Many elements have been postulated as influencing the development of gender identity, though the process is not understood. Haverkampf (2017) noted that pre-and post-natal hormones, genetic makeup, and biological factors might influence gender identity. Family, authority figures, the media, and other prominent persons in a child's life can all influence their views on gender roles. Freedman (1993) stated that children develop their gender identity by observing and imitating the gender-related behaviors of others, as per social-learning theory; they are "rewarded" for mimicking the behavioral patterns of individuals of the same sex and "punished" for mimicking the tendencies of people of the opposite gender. Male children, for example, are frequently rewarded for mimicking their father's passion for baseball, whereas their elder sister's love of dolls is punished or diverted in some way. Children are sculpted and molded by the people in their lives whom they attempt to emulate and follow.

Gender Expression

The external expression of one's gender identity may adhere to socially accepted behaviors and features normally linked with someone being masculine or feminine, which is frequently exhibited through behavior, dressing, or how they talk.

Everyone has gender expression; not everybody's expression corresponds to what the community might expect based on their ascribed sex or gender identity. This gender expression can be masculine, feminine, or androgynous, and it can alter depending on how a person feels.

The Bottom Line

People have different gender and sexual identities. Everyone should take pride in expressing their sexual or gender and sexual orientation. Accommodate and appreciate people with different genders though they may seem weird. You can identify a type of gender by observing the dress code, way of speaking, and person's walking style. Men are termed masculine and women feminine, leading to a common type of gender; non- binary. The LGBTQ family protects the genders from violation of their rights. You can create a child into a certain gender by exposing them to it. The influence is causative and can raise unique gender.

References

Deutsch, M. B., & Buchholz, D. (2015). Electronic Health Records And 

Transgender Patients—Practical Recommendations For The Collection of Gender Identity Data. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 30(6), 843-847.

Freedman, S. A. (1993). Speaking of Gender Identity: Theoretical Approaches.

Haverkampf, J. (2017). GENDER IDENTITY.

Schneider, M. S., Brown, L. S., & Glassgold, J. M. (2002). Implementing the 

Resolution On Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation: A Guide For The Perplexed. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33(3), 265.