How we define gender has evolved immensely in recent years. As of 2016, Facebook now has 71 different gender options to choose from. The dating application Tinder just recently added 37 new gender options. And for the first time in history, the President made reference to transgendered individuals. What has, for all too long, remained a taboo topic, has finally reached the public discourse.
You don’t need to become an expert on all 71 options on Facebook. But as we as a society continue to move forward in this regard, it will become increasingly important for us all to educate ourselves on the distinctions in gender identity. That pertains as much to those who identify as 100% male or female as it does to those who are unsure, and to those who fall within any of the numerous newly established categories.
Here’s a brief explanation of the gender terminology that we have a responsibility to recognize and understand.
Gender Identity:
In the generalist of terms, gender identity refers to how individuals identify themselves. That can be male, female, both, neither, or any combination of the previous four possibilities. This is a determination that only the individuals can make for themselves. Some factors that may influence the various identities people choose include the amount of testosterone or estrogen they have in their bodies, what sexual organs they have, and with which social standards and interests they most closely identify.
Sexual Orientation:
Many confuse sexual orientation with gender identity. This is a misinterpretation of the terms. Sexual orientation refers exclusively to what sex do the individuals find attractive. It has nothing to do with the individual’s own gender identity. For example, individuals who define themselves as a transgendered male may be homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual, or asexual. All of these options are plausible for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.
Cisgender:
Cisgender refers to individuals who identify themselves as the same sex as what the doctors assigned when they were born. Regardless of what sex the doctors declared, the key factor is whether the individuals self-identify as the same.
Transgender:
Transgender is essentially the opposite of cisgender. It refers to individuals who identify themselves as being a gender that is in some way different from the sex that their doctors gave them at birth. That does not necessarily refer to a born male or female who determines later in life that he or she is really the opposite. Rather, it refers to any individual who makes the determination of being of a gender that simply contrasts in any way with that which the doctors had assigned at the individual’s birth.
If you suspect that you or someone close to you may be confused and would like to learn more about gender identity or sexual orientation and would like to speak to a professional, contact The Counseling Center at 914-793-3388 for gender identity counseling Westchester NY services.
