_edited.png)
Written by Elysya binti Roslan
The acronym of “LGBTQIA” which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual, is a coalition or group of people who do not conform to the traditional gender and sexual norms.
Difference between sexual Orientation and gender identity.
It is important to understand that a person's sexual orientation and gender identity are two different things. A person's sexual is with regards to who they are sexually attracted to. On the other hand, gender identity is a person’s gender that they associate themselves with. However, both sexual orientation and gender identity work on a spectrum.
Gender Identity
There are a few components to discuss before we dive into what gender identity is. Firstly, there is anatomical sex, something that we are born with. Sex is indicated by chromosomes, external or internal genitalia. For instance, if a person is born with female anatomy the person’s sex is female. On the other hand, if a person is born with male anatomy, the person’s sex is male. There are also cases where a person is born with both anatomy of a female and a male. These people are called intersex.
Gender identity is the internal cognition of self in regards to gender. It can be categorized into four types. Firstly, non-binary, they are people who do not fall under into the traditional categories of male or female. In simple terms, they are gender neutral. Other than that, non-binary people may also have a fluid gender which means that they are not consistently male or female. They may also identify as a third category of a mixture of the two genders such as two-spirit (First nations), hijra (India) and Mahu (Hawaii).
Next, cis-gendered men and cis-gendered women are people who identify with the anatomical sex they are assigned with.
Meanwhile, transgender are people who does not identify with the anatomical sex they are born with. In order words, it refers to a person whose sex assigned at birth does not match their gender identity. Many had used the expression of feeling like “a man trapped inside a woman's body” and vice versa. Transgender people often face body dysphoria which refers to psychological distress that results from an incongruence between one’s sex assigned at birth and one’s gender identity. As a way to elevate body dysphoria, some chose to undergo gender affirming surgery such as vaginoplasty, facial feminization surgery, breast augmentation and masculine chest reconstruction.
On the other hand, gender expression is an external expression of self. in regard to gender. For instance, agender people are gender neutral people who does not express themselves as feminine or masculine. Next, feminine is a gender expression that is often associated with females. Other than that, androgynous people are those who are in the middle of the spectrum who identifies as both feminine and masculine. Lastly, there are those who express themselves as masculine.
The difference between gender identity and gender expression
Gender identity and gender expression differs in a the sense where gender identity involves internal cognition whereas the latter involves the external expression of one self. It also differs in a the sense where gender identity is more associated with the body anatomy and physicality of the body rather than just external expression such as dressing choice. The difference can be seen where transsexuals are those who express their feminine gender identity through hormones and surgery meanwhile transvestites are those who express themselves or present themselves as female but does not seek surgical or hormonal options.
Sexual orientation
Firstly, asexual people are those who does not feel sexual attraction towards anyone. Secondly, homosexuals and heterosexuals who are interested in one gender only. Lesbians are girls who are sexually attracted to females meanwhile gays are men who are sexually attracted to men. Heterosexuals are people who are sexually attracted to the opposite gender. Next, bisexuals are people who are attracted to both genders which are males and females. Lastly, pansexual are people who are attracted to all gender identities meaning that they are attracted to anyone on the spectrum including non-binary and non-gender conforming people.
Gender Pronouns
Gender pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. Some examples are she, her, he, him, they and them. There has been much confusion on using the right pronoun for the LGBTQI community. It is important to bear in mind that we should call a person by their preferred pronoun in order to not offend the other party. However, it is safe to use gender neutral pronouns such as they, them, theirs or the individual’s name when unsure. If the person is a cis-gendered male or female, gendered pronouns such as her and him is safe to be used. However, the best policy will always be asking the other party of their preferred pronouns.
To summarise, gender identity and sexual orientation are two different things that both works on a spectrum. It is also important to call a person by their preferred pronouns and not to assume everyone is cis-gendered and heterosexual.
References
West-Livingston, L. N., Dittman, J. M., Park, J. A., & Pascarella, L. (2021). Sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression: From current state to solutions for the support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning patients and colleagues. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 74(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2021.03.057
George, M. (2021). Expanding lgbt. Florida Law Review, 73(2), 243-320.
What Is Gender Dysphoria? What is gender dysphoria? (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2021, from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/gender-dysphoria/what-is-gender-dysphoria.