Gender and Sexuality : 101
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Most of us have grown up in a world where we are taught to see the world in binaries as far as sex and gender are considered. While a majority do fit into the binary buckets, a significant number of others don't. There is nothing miniscule about this minority, and all of us deserve all the rights and protections accorded under law.
The challenges of such binary views is that it sets up those different to feel the difference so much more strongly, and those not different to act hurtfully out of ignorance. It is time we changed this. |
What is Sex?
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When we say 'sex' of a person, we are usually referring to their biological sex which is determined by their genes and differentiated by how these genes were activated. Most times, it is simply XX (Female) and XY (Male), but a few in every thousand do have differences, generally called inter-sexed. 'Inter-sex' is an umbrella term in itself for many specifics
What is Gender?While we have tended to use sex and gender inter-changeably, it really is not so. Gender is a social construct, much more than a biological fact. Gender is the spectrum between masculine and feminine, and is the person's sense of who they are. When this sense matches the biological sex they were born with, they are cis-gender, and when they do not match, they are trans-gender.
Gender Expression is culturally coded and is a measure of how the society expresses masculinity or femininity. This is a function of how one dresses, accessorizes, works and relates to others in society. For many trans-gendered people, the need to change their physical body to match their sense of their gender is an imperative, and they go through sex reassignment. What is Sexuality?Quite simply put, the genders to which one is sexually (or romantically) attracted is one's sexuality. Usually, one recognizes this sexuality as part of their own puberty or even earlier, while for some, it may be much later as well.
While sexuality is about attraction, the expression of such sexuality in one's social life can be culturally coded and very different from society to society. |
Image credit: www.itspronouncedmetrosexual.com
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What makes gender and sexuality differences important
Gender and Sexuality are inherent attributes of one's personal identity. The ability to fully develop, express and enjoy these aspects of one's identity is as key to personal well-being, as it is to develop intellectually, physically and in every other way.
While there has been great progress over the last few decades in many parts of the world to increase awareness and acceptance of gender and sexuality difference, there continues to be much ignorance and misinformation, which leads to fear. These phobias, at the macro level, create state-sponsored violence, religious hatred and at a more personal level, non-acceptance, exclusion, bullying and denial of space.
Living and growing up in an environment where there is active persecution or even subtler discrimination is highly stressful, and it is no wonder that LGBTQ children and teenagers are most vulnerable to bullying and are more susceptible to suicide in their age group.
Developing the social skills, support networks and coping mechanisms needed to survive and thrive in an antagonistic environment is a challenging task.
While there has been great progress over the last few decades in many parts of the world to increase awareness and acceptance of gender and sexuality difference, there continues to be much ignorance and misinformation, which leads to fear. These phobias, at the macro level, create state-sponsored violence, religious hatred and at a more personal level, non-acceptance, exclusion, bullying and denial of space.
Living and growing up in an environment where there is active persecution or even subtler discrimination is highly stressful, and it is no wonder that LGBTQ children and teenagers are most vulnerable to bullying and are more susceptible to suicide in their age group.
Developing the social skills, support networks and coping mechanisms needed to survive and thrive in an antagonistic environment is a challenging task.
When do you seek help? |
If you find yourself feeling like you do not quite 'fit' in the brackets society tends to keep, you may want to reach out for counselling, as it can be quite a difficult experience to go through especially as the world can be overwhelmingly biased and misinformed on these matters.
If you find that someone you care about seems to be having trouble with their identity More Information |
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The links below are a great starting point for more information on gender and sexuality.
1. WHO's primer on gender 2. Its Pronounced Metrosexual: Breaking the binary 3. American Psychological Association on Gender & Sexuality 4. Gender Spectrum 5. LGBT & Mental Health |