Gender & Sexual Identity

GENDER & SEXUAL IDENTITY

Gender and sexual identity can be complicated subjects, especially if you feel like you’re different from your peers or you don’t fit into certain categories or labels.

Luckily, these days people are more aware that each of us is unique, and there are many different ways to express gender and attraction. Our rights to our gender and our sexual identities are now protected by law in Canada.

The difference between gender, sex and sexuality can be confusing. They don’t always relate to each other the way people sometimes think. For example, somebody who identifies as straight might also identify as non-binary. The graphic below can help explain the differences between identity categories. In general, gender identity is how someone feels on the inside, and gender expression is how they express themselves to others. Attraction relates to sexual identity. It describes who a person is emotionally, romantically and/or sexually attracted to. Each of these is different than someone’s sex, which is assigned based on physical traits like genitals and chromosomes.

It’s also important to know that each of these categories has a range. For example, many people identify as neither straight or gay, but somewhere in the middle.

The Gendybread Person graphic was adapted with permission from EGALE.

It might be hard for you to explore gender and sexual identities because of your upbringing, religious beliefs, community or social group. You might want to reach out for help from a trusted adult or a supportive organization like Qmunity if you:

• are unsure about your feelings
• are being bullied by others
• want to help a friend who is struggling

If you are or think you might be transgender and need services or support, visit Trans Care BC.

Remember that there is no one ‘right’ way to identify.  Everybody is different, and accepting yourself and others for who they are is an important part of sexual and mental well-being. The LGBTQIA and Two-Spirit movement is growing, and there are lots of places to seek support or connect with others in the community.

Tip: Join a Gender and Sexuality Alliance at your school or in your community (however you identify!). GSAs benefit not only those who identify as LGBTQIA+ or Two-Spirit, but they help create an environment that is accepting and safe for everybody. Foundry Centres also offer events for these communities.