Gender identity
Gender identity is about someone's personal sense of self. It is about who they know themselves to be in regard to male, female, another gender or no gender.
For a lot of people their sex assigned at birth matches their gender identity. This is often why sex and gender are thought to be the same thing. But for some people their gender is different to their sex assigned at birth.
Below are some useful terms.
Sex assigned at birth
When we are born, we are given a sex. If someone is born with a vulva, their birth certificate usually says they are ‘female’. If someone is born with a penis and testes, their birth certificate usually says that they are ‘male’. This is called sex assigned at birth.
Someone's sex has to do with their biology. Our first thought is their external genitals, but it also includes their internal reproductive systems, hormones and chromosomes too.
Intersex
A general term used to refer to people born with physical characteristics that differ from the traditional ideas of male and female.
Transgender or trans
An umbrella term for people whose gender identity does not match with their sex assigned at birth.
Trans woman
Trans woman (or transgender woman) is a term used for someone whose sex assigned at birth is male and their gender identity is female.
Very often people just use the term 'woman'.
Trans man
Trans man (or transgender man) is a term used for someone whose sex assigned at birth is female and their gender identity is male.
Very often people just use the term 'man'
Non-binary
Someone whose gender identity is not male or female.
Some people describe it as having no gender, or having another gender or having a mix of genders.
Cisgender
Someone whose gender identity and sex match.
For example: someone who was assigned female at birth and whose gender is also female.
Cisgender can be shortened to cis.
Want more support?
Just remember to take things at your own pace, talk to a trusted adult or friend about your feelings or questions, and remember it is normal to explore your gender as you grow. You may also want to check out the Freedom Centre (external site) or QLife (external site) for advice and support.
