What is sexuality, biological sex, gender, gender identity and expression and sexual orientation. What does 2SLGBTQIA+ stand for. Creating a gender inclusive environment.
What is sexuality?
What is biological sex?
What is gender?
A person’s gender is based on social and cultural concepts such as ‘masculinity’, ‘femininity’ and ‘androgyny’. Gender exists on a spectrum that includes identities such as non-binary, gender fluid, agender and more. Gender includes the norms, behaviours and roles of a person in society.
What is gender identity and expression?
A person’s gender identity is about who they are and how they want to express their gender to the world. How they express this to the world can vary from person to person and can be different from societal expectations.
What is sexual orientation?
A person’s sexual orientation is their emotional, physical and sexual attraction to others. This can change throughout a person’s lifetime.
What does the 2S/LGBTQQIA+ stand for?
2S - Two-Spirit: A term used by some Indigenous people to describe their spiritual, gender and sexual identity in a way that is distinct from western views of these concepts.
L - Lesbian: A female who is mainly sexually attracted to females.
G - Gay: A person who is primarily attracted to the same gender.
B - Bisexual: A person who is sexually attracted to people of at least two genders.
T - Trans or Transgender: An umbrella term that describes a wide range of people whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth.
Q – Queer: A term a person might use to refer to themselves instead of gay, lesbian or bisexual.
Q – Questioning: A person who is still clarifying and exploring what their sexual orientation is.
I - Intersex: An umbrella term used when the reproductive anatomy, genitalia and/or genetic makeup of a person is outside the common definitions of male or female.
A – Asexual: A person who does not experience sexual desire for people of any gender. People who identify as asexual may experience varying levels of desire for certain types of physical intimacy and they may or may not feel romantic attraction to others.
+ refers to additional identities. As society changes, attitudes to sexual identity and the terms used can also change.
For more information on gender identity and/or expression, please click here.
Creating a gender inclusive environment:
It is important to create an environment that acknowledges, respects and celebrates differences in gender identities, sexual orientation and expression. Creating inclusive spaces protects children and youth from experiencing distress, discrimination and bullying. Here are some tips on how to support inclusivity.