Gender vs. Sex

As society becomes more accepting of individuals who do not identify with the typical cisgender and straight narrative, confusion about how gender and sex make up an individual’s identity may arise. Gender and sex are not the same thing. Whereas sex is a biological label based on an individual’s reproductive organs at birth, gender is a social concept. Gender encompasses an individual’s inner sense of themselves and societal expectations. Gender identity and gender roles are two terms that come up in the discussion of gender. Gender identity is an individual’s sense of their gender, and gender roles refer to the varying roles genders are expected to fill in society. One’s gender identity can be the same or different from their assigned sex.

If an individual’s gender identity aligns with their biological sex at birth, they are considered cisgender. For example, an individual whose sex is female (due to the labeling of their reproductive anatomy at birth) and identifies as a female for their gender is cisgender or cis. If an individual’s gender identity does not align with their assigned sex, the individual may fall under the category of transgender. Transgender is an umbrella term for those whose gender identity and expression does not align with their biological sex.

Contrary to popular belief, transgender individuals can hold a variety of sexual orientations. They can be straight, gay, lesbian, and more. Furthermore, not all transgender individuals undergo surgical or medical procedures to change the physical appearance of their gender. Some transgender individuals continue their lives by living as the gender they feel they are.

Another essential thing to understand within the discussion of gender is the gender binary. The gender binary refers to only two possible genders based on sexual anatomy: man and woman, male and female. However, some individuals do not identify as male or female. Instead, some individuals may identify as gender fluid, or a person who does not identify with a fixed gender. Or some individuals may identify as non-binary, or those who identify outside the male/female gender binary. As a result, a push for more gender-neutral pronouns (“they/their/them”) has increased in society, and professionals are starting to view gender on a spectrum.

Photo: ©iStock.com/marrio31