Gender & Sexual Identity

While many people use the words sex and gender interchangeably, they mean different things. In general, gender identity is how someone feels on the inside, and gender expression is how they express themselves to others. Sex refers to biological traits, including chromosomes, hormones and reproductive and sexual anatomy. Sex is usually assigned to a person at birth based on their body characteristics.

Attraction relates to sexual identity. It describes who a person is emotionally, romantically and/or sexually attracted to. 

Each of these categories has a range. For example, a person can identify as neither straight or gay, but somewhere in the middle. See the graphic below for more details.

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.