LOOKING OUT PROJECT

Is Gender/Sexuality something youre born

with or taught ?
Lauren Alcala - Research Papers
4 Documents:
Document 1:

http://ic.galegroup.com
C: 2001 and past; high
R: talks about sexuality: medium
A: Science and its times: high
A: high
P: to learn more about sexuality and what people thought about
in the past: high
Lauren Alcala
100+ years
MAP-WE-I + Reader Response
The Study of Human Sexuality
Science and Its Times, 2001

Overview
The study of human sexual behavior is a relatively new science compared to other scientific disciplines.
While disciplines such as cell biology were limited by the technology of the day, serious investigations into
human sexual form and function were hindered by ethical constraints. The groundbreaking studies of
Alfred Kinsey (1894-1956),whose systematic research reported the sexual behaviors of Americans, laid
the foundation for the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s.

Background
Historically, scientists have explored physical and biological phenomena through careful observation and
methodical investigation. Sound science is rooted in a researchers ability to remain objective about the
subject of his or her investigation. Presumably, a researchers objectivity is easily maintained when
cultural mores, the fundamental moral views of a group, are not called into question. Objectivity is almost
never a confounding factor in most physical and biological sciences.
During the eighteenth century, the guardianship of sexual study began to shift. What had been almost
entirely a moral issue became the focus of discussions concerning sexual ethics. Although few physicians
had any specialized knowledge of human sexuality and behavior outside the treatment of sexually

transmitted diseases, physicians were viewed as authorities in the emerging field of sexology.
Discussions of sexuality gave rise to the first programs of public and private sex education, as well as
new classifications and documentation of sexual behaviors. Samuel Tissots published 1760 warning
against masturbation, in order to prevent "masturbatory insanity," became a dominant theme in
adolescent sex education.
By the nineteenth century, the medical view of sexual behavior was expanded to include sexual behaviors
classified as mental diseases. Heinrich Kaans Psychopathia sexualis (1843) introduced the concept of
deviance--behavior that diverges from the accepted norm--and perversion--behaviors caused by a
determination not to do that which is expected--both regarded as functions of mental illness. Less than 30
years later, as a result of the publication of case histories by prominent psychiatrists, homosexuality
became viewed by the medical community--and, therefore, by society--as a mental illness.
RR: I think its mean to say that someone who is just being themselves and want to be happyMEANING:
all homosexuals have a mental illness diseases TEXT: mental diseases
In 1873, Anthony Comstock (1844-1915) lead a campaign to regulate sexual behavior, resulting in the
passage of the Comstock Laws, which further limited sexual freedom, particularly that of women. These
laws made the distribution of information about contraception illegal. Physicians were prohibited from
providing patients with contraceptive information and were imprisoned when found in violation of the law.
Iwan Bloch (1872-1922) is credited with founding the modern study of sexuality. Dissatisfied with the
medical view of sexual behavior at the turn of the twentieth century, Bloch challenged conventional views
of sexuality. He proposed a reexamination of perceived pathological and degenerative behaviors, such as
prostitution and homosexuality, from both a historical perspective and on a global scale. Bloch co-founded
the Journal for Sexology with his colleague, German researcher Magnus Hirschfeld (1868-1935).
Hirschfeld pioneered the first gay rights organization and opened the first Institute for Sexology in 1919.

Impact
Sex research conducted during the last 100 years significantly affected social and cultural mores of
Americans and others around the world. With the debunking of nineteenth-century myths surrounding
human sexuality, and a more sophisticated understanding of the role sexuality plays in peoples lives,
future sexual behavior research is likely to involve studies into disease prevention, as well as
assessments of how sexuality changes as a function of age. Society will continue to reap the benefits of
sound scientific investigations, increasingly focused on social and physiologic factors that shape sexuality
and the development of sexually healthy adults.

M: The research of sexuality and how in past years how the word sexuality
changed for better or for worse towards some people.
A: just gives research about about how sexuality has evolved over the years
P: to give information about research and past research involving someones
gender and sexuality
WE: Paragraph- 1,3,4,5,6
I: sexuality evolving from the 18th century till now
Document 2 :
http://spl.ids.ac.uk/sexuality-and-social-justice-toolkit/1-issues-anddebates/what-link-between-sexuality-and-gender
C : 2014
R: connecting gender and sexuality:low
A: Nirantar : low
A: low
P: linking sexuality and gender

What is the link between sexuality and gender?

Gender refers to the widely shared set of expectations and norms linked to how women and men, and
girls and boys, should behave. Unlike 'sex' which refers to the biological and physiological
characteristics that define men and women, gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours,
activities, and attributes that are assigned to men and women in any given society. These expectations
are are not fixed but are continually being constructed and reinforced through social relationships and
economic and political power dynamics.
Researchers, like those in Nirantar, who have explored the relationship between gender and sexuality
argue that gender and sexuality cannot be thought of as distinct and separate categories but as
intimately related. The societies we live in construct the right and wrong way to behave as men and
women and these are mapped onto right and wrong sexual practices, beliefs and behaviours.
There are many ways to explore the relationship between sexuality and gender; in this section we
outline three ways that gender is related to sexuality that are useful for thinking about sexuality and
development.

1. Sexuality is influenced by gender norms

Social expectations linked to gender influence how women and men behave and this includes their
sexual behaviour, attitudes and feelings. These expectations tend to be based on the assumption that

there are two categories of people, men and women and that they behave differently based on their
biological sex. There is also a basic assumption in development policy and programming that gender is
linked to biological sex and that the recipients of development interventions are heterosexual. The
assumption that the normal and natural sexual relationship and basis for the family is a man and a
woman in a heterosexual marriage is sometimes described as heteronormativity.
There is huge variation in the gendered norms and expectations relating to sexuality. The pressures to
conform to the norms of any given society can have negative consequences for both wommen and
men. In some contexts, women may be forced to enter marriages against their will and some may be
subject to marital rape; or they may be compelled to undergo female circumcision in order to be
perceived by society as an adult woman. Boys too are told how to behave as men, how to be taken
seriously by their family and their community; this may entail being bullied or punished if boys are not
macho enough, or if they express same-sex desires.

2. Ideologies around sexuality work to control women

In many contexts, girls and women are seen as vulnerable and in need of protection from mens
sexual advances. Virginity is often highly prized and is linked to a family's ability to arrange a marriage
and maintain social status. Controlling girls' and women's sexuality is also linked to material resources
such as education and whether or not girls are able to attend school. Where virginity is important,
parents may fear the increased possibility of sexual encounters between boys and girls at school (as
shown by the study conducted by our partner organisation, Nirantar) or are concerned that, with
education, girls may be more likely to challenge the patriachal structures that are reinforced through
historic family customs, like arranged marriages.
Sexuality is often used to control women who are seen to step outside of the norms of feminity:

3. Gender norms related to sexuality can affect health and access to

basic services
In many societies women are expected to remain silent around issues related to sex and sexuality. For
this reason, it can be difficult for women to learn about risk reduction, or even if informed, it may be
difficult for women to negotiate safe sex within their sexual relationships. Because of the strong norms
that encourage women to remain virgins until they are married, studies have shown that it is difficult
for unmarried women to access treatment services for sexually transmitted diseases as they may be
subject to stigma within health care centres.
Research has shown, too, that in heterosexual relationships womens economic marginalisation can
result in women entering sexual relationships where they have less economic power than their partner.
This can impact on their ability to set the terms of their sexual relationship. Gendered expectations that
young women cannot 'manage' or 'protect' their sexuality also has implications for women's access to
education and employment. In their policy audit of the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)

education policy in India, Nirantar show the importance of considering the gendered dynamics of
sexuality in relation to girls ability to access education:
It is often assumed that gender applies only to women and girls but it is equally important to engage
with the ways that mens health and access to services can be affected by expectations linked to
masculinity. For example, in many parts of the world men are expected to have more experience and
knowledge about sex than women; this discourages men from learning about safe sexual practices and
may make them more vulnerable to contracting HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Notions of
macho masculinities that emphasise mens domination over women socially and sexually not only
contribute to high rates of violent crime against women (as we see in places like South Africa link to
Case Study) but also to the stigmatization of men who fail to conform to these gendered expectations,
including those who have sex with other men. As men are generally positioned as the perpetrators of
sexual violence and not the victims, men's vulnerability to and experience of sexual violence also tends
to be ignored (see the IDS bulletin on Patriachy for further discussion).
Gendered norms around sexuality affect how sexual behaviour and sexual health issues are reported,
researched and funded. Assumptions about women as the victims of sexual violence, for example,
restrict our knowledge about how women negotiate risk and exert control in their sexual relationships.
As men are considered to be strong and capable of managing sexual relationships, there is very little
research into mens' experience of vulnerability, in both same-sex and heterosexual relationships. The
lack of knowledge about the sexuality of transgender people often leads to the assumption that
transgender men and women are homosexual. Gendered expectations of sexuality, therefore, also
determine what we know about the sexuality of men and women, which in turn informs decisions about
development programming, funding and research.

Further issues to consider

While gender is often talked about in terms of masculinity and femininity, gender theorists have sought
to expose the plurality of gender expression and the way in which gender identities and forms are
accorded different social value. In response to feminist critiques, for example, gender theorists have
pointed to the fact that there is no singular masculinity but a range of masculinities that are ordered
hierarchically. The dominant or hegemonic masculinity is that which epitomises the patriarch, or alpha
male, typical of Hollywood action films. This dominant form of masculinity is something which is
valued in many societies, and to which many aspire. However, such ideals of gender can have the
effect of 'disciplining' the body and punishing those who do not conform. Heterosexual men, for
example, who identify with their sex but not the social characteristics typically associated with
dominant masculinity, may find that they are bullied and not considered to be proper men. Halberstam
writes about being called out of the 'Women's toilet' by airport security because the guard expected
women to look 'feminine' and not, in Halberstam's terms, like a 'masculine female'. This disciplining of
the body reinforces the notion that there is a right and a wrong way to be a male or female and has

implications for the sexual relationships, behaviour, experience and attitudes of men and women of all
sexual orientations and gender identities.
It is commonly assumed that your gender is determined by your biological sex. You are masculine
because you are male, for example. The separation of gender and sex is most apparent in the
experience of people who feel that their ascribed gender-identity is not aligned with their biological
sex. Those people, who may identify as transgender, some will opt to change their biological sex while
others may change their gender-identity but not their sex. The sexual orientation of those whose
gender identity does not match their biological sex is not self-evident. Biological males who live as
females may be attracted to males, females or other trans individuals. This is evident, for example,
among travestis In Brazil, as Mountian observes in the policy audit conducted on the country's 'Brazil
without Homophobia' education policy, launched in 2004. Mountian found that travestis were
discriminated against because they challenge the idea that gender identity is directly related to
biological sex. Not all biological males feel themselves to have a masculine identity, and vice versa.

Document 3:
https://www.genderspectrum.org/quick-links/understanding-gender/

C: 2015
R: gender and an indiviuals sex : medium/high
A: gender spectrum - what some people think about
gender and their sex: m/h
A: medium/ high
P: to provide people the difference between gender
and sex
For many people, the terms gender and sex are used interchangeably, and thus incorrectly.
This idea has become so common, particularly in western societies, that it is rarely questioned.
We are born, assigned a sex, and sent out into the world. For many people, this is cause for little,
if any dissonance. Yet biological sex and gender are different; gender is not inherently nor solely
connected to ones physical anatomy.
Biological Gender (sex) includes physical attributes such as external genitalia, sex chromosomes,
gonads, sex hormones, and internal reproductive structures. At birth, it is used to assign sex, that
is, to identify individuals as male or female. Gender on the other hand is far more complicated. It
is the complex interrelationship between an individuals sex (gender biology), ones internal sense
of self as male, female, both or neither (gender identity) as well as ones outward presentations
and behaviors (gender expression) related to that perception, including their gender role.

Together, the intersection of these three dimensions produces ones authentic sense of gender,
both in how people experience their own gender as well as how others perceive it.

The Gender Spectrum

Western culture has come to view gender as a binary concept, with two rigidly fixed options: male
or female, both grounded in a persons physical anatomy. When a child is born, a quick glance
between the legs determines the gender label that the child will carry for life. But even if gender is
to be restricted to basic biology, a binary concept still fails to capture the rich variation that exists.
Rather than just two distinct boxes, biological gender occurs across a continuum of possibilities.
This spectrum of anatomical variations by itself should be enough to disregard the simplistic
notions of a binary gender system.
But beyond anatomy, there are multiple domains defining gender. In turn, these domains can be
independently characterized across a range of possibilities. Instead of the static, binary model
produced through a solely physical understanding of gender, a far richer tapestry of biology,
gender expression, and gender identity intersect in a multidimensional array of possibilities. Quite
simply, the gender spectrum represents a more nuanced, and ultimately truly authentic model of
human gender.

Falling Into Line

Gender is all around us. Like water surrounding creatures in the sea, we are often unaware of its
ever-present nature. Gender is actually taught to us from the moment we are born. Gender
expectations and messages bombard us constantly. Upbringing, culture, peers, schools,
community, media, and religion are some of the many influences that shape our understanding of
this core aspect of self. How you learned and interacted with gender as a young child directly
influences how you view the world today. Gendered interactions between parent and child begin
as soon as the sex of the baby is known. In short, many aspects of gender are socially
constructed, particularly with regard to gender expression.
Like other social constructs, gender is closely monitored and reinforced by society. Practically
everything in society is assigned a gendertoys, colors, clothes and behaviors are just some of
the more obvious examples. Through a combination of social conditioning and personal
preference, by age three most children prefer activities and exhibit behaviors typically associated
with their sex. Accepted social gender roles and expectations are so entrenched in our culture
that most people cannot imagine any other way. As a result, individuals fitting neatly into these

expectations rarely if ever question what gender really means. They have never had to, because
the system has worked for them.

About Gender-expansiveness
Gender-expansive is an umbrella term used for individuals that broaden commonly held
definitions of gender, including its expression, associated identities, and/or other perceived
gender norms, in one or more aspects of their life. These individuals expand the definition of
gender through their own identity and/or expression. Some individuals do not identify with being
either male or female; others identify as a blend of both, while still others identify with a gender,
but express their gender in ways that differ from stereotypical presentations. A gender-expansive
persons preferences and self-expression may fall outside commonly understood gender norms
within their own culture; or they may be aligned with them even as ones internal gender identity
doesnt align with the sex assigned at birth.
This diversity of gender is a normal part of the human experience, across cultures and throughout
history. Non- binary gender diversity exists all over the world, documented by countless
historians and anthropologists. Examples of individuals living comfortably outside of typical
male/female expectations and/or identities are found in every region of the globe. The calabai, and
calalai of Indonesia, two-spirit Native Americans, and the hijra of India all represent more complex
understandings of gender than allowed for by a simplistic binary model.
Further, what might be considered gender-expansive in one period of history may become gender
normative in another. One need only examine trends related to men wearing earrings or women
sporting tattoos to quickly see the malleability of social expectations about gender. Even the
seemingly intractable pink is for girls, blue is for boys notions are relatively new. While there is
some debate about the reasons why they reversed, what is well documented is that not until the
mid-twentieth century were notions of pink for girls or blue for boys so firmly ensconced. You can
make the case that pink is the new blue!

Gender And Privilege

When someone is typically gendered, they benefit from gender privilege. For individuals whose
biological sex, gender expression, and gender identity neatly align, often referred to as
cisgender, there is a level of congruence as they encounter the world around them. Like many
forms of social privilege, this is frequently an unexamined aspect of their lives. Forms they fill out,
the clothing stores in which they shop, or identification papers they carry bring few if any second

thoughts. Yet for a transgender or otherwise gender-expansive person, each of these, and many
more examples, is a constant reminder that they move about in a culture that really does not
account for their own experience. Social privilege comes from an assumption that ones own
perspective is universal; whether related to race, or language, or gender, privilege comes from
being part of the norm. Or, as Dorothy Soelle aptly described it: Privilege is being able to
choose what you will not see.
To understand this more intuitively, think about the last time you were in a public setting and
needed to use a restroom. For cisgender individuals, this rarely presents a problem or question
(issues of cleanliness notwithstanding!). Yet for an individual who does not fit into narrowly
defined expectations of gender presentation or identity, restroom use can present a whole host of
challenges, sometimes even becoming a matter of life and death. The daily need to make
judgments about what one does, or wears, or says based on other peoples perceptions of their
gender is a burden that many people never encounter. These everyday reminders of being
different are also constant reinforcement of being other

Conclusion
Perhaps the most fundamental aspect of a persons identity, gender deeply influences every part
of ones life. In a society where this crucial aspect of self has been so narrowly defined and rigidly
enforced, individuals who exists outside its norms face innumerable challenges. Even those who
vary only slightly from the norm can become targets of disapproval. Yet this does not have to be
the case forever. Through a thoughtful consideration of the uniqueness and validity of every
persons experiences of self, we can develop greater acceptance for all. Not only will this create
greater inclusion for individuals who challenge the norms of gender, it will actually create space
for all individuals to more fully explore and celebrate who they are.

Document 4:
http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2013/05/my-ted-talkunderstanding-the-complexities-of-gender/
C: 05/2013
R: talks both about gender & sexuality: medium/high
A: persepective of a man and his thoughts about gender/
sexuality : high
A: medium/ high
P: let people understand the complexities of gender

My TED Talk: Understanding the Complexities of Gender Gender and sexuality are two different concepts. Its like comparing apples
and gay oranges. Thats not to say that there isnt any relationship between
the two there is, but its important to realize they develop independent of
one another. And today, Im going to talk to you about gender, not sexuality.
We all learn about gender as kids, but what we learn is an extremely limited
concept of a concept thats truly unlimited.
Gender as Were Taught it
What were taught as kids, well its just incomplete. Its pieces of the picture,
but its not the whole scene .In case you missed it as a kid, or didnt grow up
in the states, let me give you a quick rundown on gender as its taught here.
Maybe youll relate.
Take all people and divide them into two. Boys line up on the left. Girls line
up on the right. Boys, lets start with you.
Boys are aggressive, impetuous, good at math, love the color blue. They get
dirty, rough house, play sports, not house. Trucks and soldiers and legos are
their toys, but they break them all, cuz boys will be boys. Boys can grow up
and be whatever they want. The world is their oyster, and whether or not
they realize its their choice to capitalize on this privilege thats limited just
to guys, its there for them, the y-chromosome prize. There is no bar too
high, or goal too far away, unless they want to be a nurse, cuz thats just
gay.
Girls are passive, docile, natural caretakers, love the color pink, born to be
good bakers. They hate bugs, love hugs, and are better at vacuuming rugs.
Dolls and purses and makeup make their day, where boys play with video
games girls would rather play with hair spray. Girls grow up to be moms,
leave the other jobs to dads. Unless they want to be a teacher, a nurse, a
receptionist, or a clerk.
Now what I just described certainly applies to a few of you. Yeah there are
people for which these descriptions end up being true. The problem here is
options, and if you counted we have only two.
Two options to describe every person in this room, each and every one of you

Two options to describe every person in this world, 7 billion individual

identities, simplified into two.
Real Gender
As youve probably guessed, gender really isnt that simple. Its true. In fact,
theres as many versions of gender as there are number of you.
What Im talking about is a lot to wrap your mind around. But dont panic, Im
here to break it down.
Your gender is not a decision. In most cases its not even an observation. Its
like having eyes. If you have eyes, you know you have eyes. You likely cant
pinpoint the specific moment you realized. If asked, you might say youve
always known you had eyes, but thatd be a lie. You dont often think about
your eyes, but they are always there, making a huge impact on your days.
Its through your eyes that you see the world, and, in many ways, your eyes
affect how the world sees you. Blue eyes are true. Brown eyes are plain.
Green eyes are special. But we dismiss that as silly. That because someone
happens to have been born with blue eyes, theyll be honest. And thats
where this analogy breaks down. Because we assign a gender based on a
few traits someone is born with. And based on that assigned identity, we
expect someone to grow up to behave a certain way, to be a certain type of
person.
Gender is much more about whats between your ears than whats between
your thighs. Its more about whats outside of our bodies and the way that
weve been socialized. Gender is a social construction thats been disguised
as a biological imperative, a genetic law we live by. The more we learn about
gender, the more we learn thats a lie to think that because this persons
born with a penis, hell grow up and act like a guy.
The easiest way to understand gender is to dissect it into three distinct
pieces:
1, Gender identity, which is how you, in your head, define your gender, more
on this in a minute.
2, Gender expression, which is the ways that you present gender, through
your actions, dress, and demeanor.

And 3, And biological sex, which is the physical sex characteristics that make
up your body. I promise, this will all get clearer.
Biological Sex (Penises and Vaginas)
Lets start with biological sex, the physical characteristics were born with
and develop, that, in many peoples eyes, equal gender.
A lot of things make up what we understand as biological sex: Chromosomes,
hormones, Body hair, hip to shoulder ratio, breast size, voice pitch, just to
name a few. But the main thing we think about: reproductive organs. AKA
penises and vaginas. We equate gender to penises and vaginas.
But heres the thing.
Gender is not universal. Gender is not cross-cultural. Gender changes over
time.
You know what is universal? Penises and vaginas.
You know what is cross-cultural? Penises and vaginas.
You know what hasnt changed over time? Well actually, evolution but for
the past few thousand years penises and vaginas!
While biological sex is something that exists in a uniform and predictable
way, something that can be measured objectively in humans around the
world, without much debate, you cant say the same thing about gender.
Gender is relative. Gender is cultural. And what gender means, and how its
expressed, does change over time.
If someone is born with a penis and testicles, hes a male, hes a he, and
well raise him to be a him.
If someone is born with a vagina, shes a female, shes a she, and well raise
her to be a her.
And when were not sure, when someone is born intersex, born with

ambiguous genitalia, we guess if hes a he or shes a she, and based on that

guess raise him to be a him or her to be a her.
Which, as you can guess, is often problematic. But assigning a gender to a
person based on sex isnt only problematic when someone is born intersex.
Let me tell you about gender identity, and this will all start to make sense.
Gender Identity
Ill say this again to say something that needs to be said: gender isnt the
parts that make up your body, its whats in your head. To understand gender
identity, and how it differers from expression and sex, we need to first make
sense of whats in our heads.
All the worlds a stage, and all the men and women merely players.
Shakespeare said this 200 years before we had a word for sociology but Will
knew his stuff, in every way he was a prodigy, and what he said here it rings
true in my ears all these years later as Im thinking about norms and
folkways and what Durkheim called mores, and the scripted roles we play in
our day to day without even realizing it but hey! Im getting ahead of
myself. This talk is about gender. What am I trying to say?
What Shakespeare said about the stage? He hit the nail on the head. At birth
youre cast in a role, given a script, and told to play that part til your dead.
The director of your play follows you around every day of your life. The
director is your parents, your teachers, your peers, your preachers, your
news broadcasters, book writers, TV producers, fire fighters every person
in your life who has an impact on you, knows the script youve been given,
and knows when youre missing your cues.
As we grow up we become directors in other peoples plays. We notice when
boys arent playing the boy part right, or when girls are running astray.
Now all of thats sociology, but its important to have a grasp on it if youre
going to grasp gender identity. Because gender identity is rooted in
sociology. Its rooted in gender roles and norms, and the way we perpetuate
and reinforce those ideas in society.
Gender identity is who you, in your head, know you are, based on how much
you align or dont align with what you understand to be the options for
gender. Those options, and your understanding of what they are, are based
on how you were socialized to understand what gender is. Now thatll be
different from continent to continent, country to country, state to state, even
person to person, but for the most part, members of a society have a shared
idea of what it means to be man, woman, or other.

Gender identity is, at its root, a way of classifying personality. But we know
that we have more than two options for personalities, so why do we settle for
gender options that are binary? Well, we dont. Some of us dont, anyway. Let
me give you a run-down on the gender identities I know of, and Ill do it
alphabetically:
Agender, Bigender, Genderfluid, Genderless, Genderqueer, Man, Non-Binary,
Non-Gendered, Third Gender, Trans, Trans Man, Trans Woman, Transgender,
Transsexual, Transvestite, Two-Spirit, Woman
Now I dont have time to define all of those terms, but theyre easy to look
up, thats what the internet is for . One thing you do need to know is that all
of those terms were created to make sense of groups whose gender
identities are so not man or woman that they needed a completely new
label to apply to them.
These are people who, historically, have been labeled as having a
psychological condition, gender dysphoria or Gender Identity Disorder,
theyre called confused, troubled, and sick, dangerous to themselves and our
moral fabric. But in reality its society that is confused. Our understanding of
gender as binary is sick. And forcing people to confine to one of two options
when in their minds they know that box isnt for them, take the script away,
mark it up with a pen, this isnt the role I was born to play, I know myself
better than you could ever know me, and who are you to say whats healthy
when your idea of health is destroying me.
A binary understanding of gender isnt just incomplete, its dangerous. In a
recent study, 84% of trans* people in the UK had considered suicide. Half of
them attempted it.
Dont get me wrong: gender identity, or non-binary gender identity, isnt a
dark thing, or at least it doesnt have to be. We just need to shed some light
on it.
Ive talked about biological sex, how it differs from gender identity. Now lets
talk about gender expression, a different thing entirely.
Gender Expression
Gender expression is all that and more. Its the ways we present ourselves, and what those
things stand for. The interpretations of gender expression vary from culture to culture, because
what gender means in ours means something completely different in another. We often think of
gender expression as being on a scale from masculine to feminine, but really its two scales,
and a measurement on each of them.
On one scale we can measure how much we express femininity. All those things I told you about
myself would increase this exponentially.

But on a separate scale we measure masculinity. Does me having a beard make my salmon
pants less girly? No, not really, but it does increase my masculinity. Slightly.
Gender expression changes quite readily. In some cases, it changes from activity to activity.
Think of an average day, heres how one starts for me.
I wake up, hair matted to the side, drool on my face, wearing boxer briefs, grumbling
obscenities. Its at this point in the day that I express most masculinely. But it passes quickly,
because step one in my day is going to the bathroom and getting full-on pretty. I hop in the
shower, shampoo my hair, awapuhi ginger, leave in conditioner, facial scrub, full body wash, hop
out the tub, smell like a flower. Then I pluck my eyebrows. I style my hair, try on outfits in front of
my mirror, which is something Im sure all the guys do in here. Amiright, bros? Then I hop on the
bus. Ill do phone call meetings for my non-profit and work in bro-y phrases like dude and
bullshit because in that part of my life, and I hate to admit it, expressing masculinity is a pretty
big benefit. Then I head to a cafe, order a black coffee, and work quietly, keeping to myself
throughout the day.
So as you can see, in just a few hours I express both masculinity and femininity. In just the few
minutes Ive been on this stage Ive done the same thing, and its something youve been
noticing, even if just subconsciously.
For some people, their gender expression aligns with their gender identity. For some people,
their gender expression does not align, whether its for comfort, pleasure, or personal creativity.
And for some people, gender expression is a performance, a display of hyper masulin- or
femininity. Youve probably heard of these people, we call em drag kings and drag queens.
So lets put this all together.
Ive just talked about a lot, in a very short amount of time. And I tried to make it understandable,
even if it was super condensed, and I made it rhyme. But gender isnt something youre going to
get in fifteen minutes. If I were to write a book about gender, it would be very hard to do it in
even 200 pages. And I know that, because I wrote a book about gender and it was very hard to
do it in even 200 pages.
But lets do a quick recap.
1. Lets all agree that gender is more complex than what we learned as kids.
2. While biological sex is a component of gender, it is not a determinant. That is, being born with
certain sex characteristics (penises or vaginas) does not biologically have any bearing on who
youll grow up to be. Instead, we know that people born with penises are taught to be boys. And
people born with vaginas are taught to be girls. Not biology. Sociology.

3. Your gender identity is how you make sense of your inner self, and what you understand
gender to be. Sometimes this aligns with your biological sex, or fits into the gender binary.
Sometimes it doesnt.
4. Gender expression is a separate thing altogether. For a lot of people it lines up with their
gender identity and biological sex. For a lot of people it doesnt.
5. Lets all agree that gender is more complex than what we learned as kids. Yes, that was
number 1. But its also number 5. Because its very important.
Socrates said, the only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. I hope this talk will serve
as a catalyst in helping you realize how little we all actually know about gender, and a motivation
to learn more.
Eventually, in my dreams, well have a society that isnt gender-blind, but is gender creative.
Where people will feel comfortable being themselves, and exploring what that means, and in
that theyll be supported. Where questioning ones gender wont be shunned, but an
expectation. And where realizing you dont fit a mold wont lead to isolation and depression, but
instead celebration. And, above all, a society where people will be safe, regardless of their
gender formation.