Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: What's the difference? #AskAMAZE

Summary

This video clarifies the distinction between sexual orientation and gender identity. Sexual orientation refers to the genders a person is romantically or sexually attracted to, and may become clear at puberty or later. Common orientations include heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, and queer. Gender identity, on the other hand, is an individual’s internal sense of their gender, which may or may not align with their external appearance. Common gender identities include cisgender, transgender, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming. The video encourages viewers to learn more and deepen their understanding of these important concepts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sexual orientation refers to the gender(s) a person is romantically or sexually attracted to.
• 😀 Gender identity is a person's internal sense of their own gender, which may not always match their physical appearance.
• 😀 Sexual orientation can become clear at different ages, sometimes during puberty or later in life.
• 😀 Common sexual orientations include heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, and queer.
• 😀 A person’s gender identity may align with their physical gender, but this is not always the case.
• 😀 Many people become aware of their gender identity as early as age 2 to 4, but for others, it may come later.
• 😀 Common gender identities include cisgender, transgender, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming.
• 😀 Sexual orientation is about attraction, while gender identity is about self-understanding of gender.
• 😀 There are diverse ways individuals experience and express both sexual orientation and gender identity.
• 😀 Understanding and defining one's sexual orientation and gender identity is a personal journey that can take different paths for different people.

Q & A

What is the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity?

Sexual orientation refers to the gender(s) a person is romantically and/or sexually attracted to, while gender identity is a person’s internal sense of their own gender.

Can a person's sexual orientation be determined at any age?

Yes, some people know their sexual orientation by the time they go through puberty, while others may not fully understand it until they are older.

What are some common sexual orientations?

Common sexual orientations include heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, and queer.

What does gender identity refer to?

Gender identity is a person’s internal sense of their own gender, or how they understand and perceive themselves in terms of gender.

Is gender identity always visible on the outside?

Not always. While many people’s gender identity matches how they look on the outside, some people’s gender identity may not be immediately visible.

At what age can a person start to understand their gender identity?

Some children begin to understand their gender identity as early as 2 or 4 years old, though for others, it may not become clear until they are older.

What are some common gender identities?

Common gender identities include cisgender, transgender, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming.

What is the term 'cisgender'?

'Cisgender' refers to individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.

What does the term 'genderqueer' mean?

'Genderqueer' is a term used by some people whose gender identity doesn’t fit within the traditional male and female categories.

How is 'gender non-conforming' different from other gender identities?

'Gender non-conforming' refers to individuals whose gender expression doesn’t adhere to conventional gender norms, but it doesn’t necessarily reflect their gender identity.