People's lived experience tells us that gender identity is fluid. People's real experience shows us that genitals vary in size, shape, and what goes with what. For example, 17 out of 1,000 births are of intersexual babies (see definitions below). One out of 100,000 individuals are true hermaphrodites. One in 5,000 females are born without a vagina, and 1 in 200 males have hypospadias (the urethral opening is not centered at the tip of the penis). Five infants a day are operated on in America because of doctors telling parents that their children are "really" girls or "really" boys despite what their genitals look like and what internal sex organs there are or might develop with time.
Yet, there is no inherent clinical or identity meaning in genitals (variant or not). An enlarged clitoris or a micro penis or misshapen scrotum do not in themselves define gender identity. Why do doctors and parents insist that this is so? There are three levels of biology: cellular, hormonal, and anatomical and these may not necessarily align. Much of the research (and much of it is based on anecdotal stories) shows that while biology has a significant impact on gender identity, external characteristics (what our culture focuses on) is probably the least significant of the variables, while hormones (which become especially important at puberty) are highly significant.
In spite of the power of socialization, especially in the area of masculinity and femininity, some so-called genetic men feel feminine and some so-called genetic women feel like they are more "masculine." Some folks feel they are neither and some folks feel bi-gendered. Intersexuals are born with variant genitals and internal genetic/sexual markers. Doctors have focused on gonads to make many sex assignment decisions-but why should whether you have testes or ovaries define whether you are male or female? In truth, feelings of masculinity and femininity are not determined by gonads.
Everyone in society deals with their gender identity, regardless of whether it is a major or a more minor aspect of self struggle. It is fascinating to ask yourself the questions "What does it really mean to feel like a woman/man?" "How do I know I feel like a woman/man?" "Do I dare express my true feelings?" In our society, it can be dangerous to step outside the prescribed gender expectations and roles.
Biological sex
An individual's chromosomal make-up, external and internal genitalia, hormonal state, and gonads (testes and ovaries).
Gender
A social construct which is independent of biological sex: one is assigned as male or female because of one's biological sex, but one is a boy or girl, man or woman because of one's gender identity or gender role.
Gender identity
One's sense of self as a boy or girl, woman or man (or, as we are increasingly realizing, as a nongendered, bigendered, transgendered, intersexed, or otherwise alternatively gendered person).
Gender role
A set of expectations that one will look, dress, and behave as a man or woman.
Sexual orientation
Refers to the object(s) of an individual's sexual desire.
Monosexism
The view that you are either homosexual or heterosexual but cannot be both (i.e., bisexual).
Intersexual
An individual born with genital variability, such as an enlarged clitoris, a micropenis, both types of gonads (ovaries and testes), or a variety of chromosomes other than XX or XY. A true hermaphrodite is someone born with both male and female gentials.
Transgender person
Someone who transgresses expected gender, such as a biological male who identifies as a female.
Transsexual person
An individual who desires to live as the other biological sex and gender and who may have surgery, hormone therapy, electrolysis or other modifications as they live as that different sex/gender.
Transvestite
An individual who cross-dresses for personal reasons. Cross-dressers are usually heterosexual males.
(Based on the work of Dallas Denny and Jamison Green, "Gender Identity and Bisexuality," pp. 84-102 in Bisexuality: The Psychology and Politics of an Invisible Minority edited by B. A. Firestein, 1996.)
Words, words, words. Another Glossary of Terms from the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition, http://www.gpac.org
Gender
Our way of perceiving things as masculine or feminine, including physical traits, dress, behavior, even inanimate objects. (Increasingly used as a substitute for sex.)
Gender Stereotypes
Mental templates we all have for how each sex should look, dress, and act.
Gender Stereotyping
The act of trying to enforce individuals conformity to gender stereotypes.
Gender Expression
The manifestation of an individuals fundamental sense of being masculine or feminine through clothing, behavior, grooming, etc.
Gender Identity
An inner sense of being male or female.
Gender Characteristics
Primary or secondary sexual characteristics such as height, weight, shape, and facial/body hair.
Transgender
An umbrella term that includes employees who change genders and sexes or crossdress.
Transsexual
A specific term that refers to employees who change or have changed sexes.