Gender, Sex, and Sexuality

Gender, sex and sexuality are all terms that define who we are as humans.

It is important to know the difference between these terms and how to respect everyone as human beings.

Gender

The World Health Organization defines gender as “a person’s deeply felt, internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond to the person’s physiology or designated sex at birth.”

Gender is a spectrum and is non-binary.

This means that only you know and understand your own gender as it is not defined by your genitals, sex assigned at birth, or what clothing you wear (gender expression).

In historical Canadian society, women are assumed to be softer spoken, wear more dresses, and have longer hair when compared to men. These attributes are considered gender norms and are entirely socially constructed.

For example, someone who is born with female genitalia, may not identify with the various gender norms or roles expected of women. They may feel they identify more with historical male gender roles and norms and choose to identify their gender as a male or non-binary.

Some terms used to identify gender:

• man

• woman

• transgender

• genderqueer

• two spirit

• non-binary

Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation refers to who you are attracted to or who you fall in love with. It also defined who you are not attracted to. There are many words used to describe sexual orientation and someone may use various terms throughout their life to define their sexual orientation.

Just like gender, sexual orientation is a spectrum. Not everyone is attracted to the opposite gender and some are attracted to all genders. It is also fluid and a concept that changes over time.

Individuals may know from a young age who they are attracted to, others may take years to figure it out.

Sexual orientation is protected as a human right in Canada under the Canadian Human Rights Act. No person shall be discriminated against or given unfair treatment because of their sexual orientation.

Some terms used to identify sexual orientation:

• pansexual

• straight

• gay

• lesbian

• asexual

• queer

Biological Sex or Sex Assigned at Birth

Sex assigned at birth (biological sex) refers to what you were assigned at birth, either female or male.

Sex refers to the biological characteristics that define a human as female or male such as chromosomes and genitals. This is what is on your birth certificate

Terms for identifying sex are:

• male

• female