Gender identity describes how a person thinks of themselves. The term Transgender (sometimes shortened to trans) describes someone whose gender identity does not match their biological sex. People may identify as both genders, neither gender, a third gender or describe themselves as transmen, transwomen, gender diverse, bi-gender, gender queer, agender gender fluid or use other terms. Many people simply identify as man or woman.
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation is about who a person is physically or emotionally attracted to such as:
Gay or lesbian – Same sex attraction
Heterosexual or straight – Different sex attraction
Bisexual – Same and different sex attraction
Asexual – Neither sex attraction
Intersex
Intersex is a term that relates to a broad range of congenital physical traits or variations that lie between stereotypical ideals of male and female. Intersex people are born with physical, hormonal or genetic features that are neither wholly female not wholly male, or a combination of female and male. Hermaphrodite is a term that may have previously been used to describe an intersex person – this term is offensive, and should not be used.
Gender expression
Gender expression is how a person chooses to demonstrate their gender, for example through how they act, dress, behave and interact. Ways gender expression can be described include masculine, feminine or androgynous.
Imagine if you identified as female, but were born male. Suppose you didn’t feel male or female. Gender is more diverse than most
people realise. Select each icon to explore gender diversity in more detail.