LGBT Glossary

Gender identity

Definition

Gender identity is the way a person perceives and identifies themselves in relation to gender. It may or may not align with the biological sex assigned at birth based on visible genital characteristics.

Explanation

Gender identity is a central dimension of sexual identity and refers to the internal, deep, and personal experience of gender.

It does not necessarily depend on:

• biological characteristics (biological sex)
• attraction to other people (sexual orientation)
• the way a person expresses themselves externally (gender expression)

It is a subjective experience that can take many forms and does not always fit within binary categories such as man or woman.

Types of gender identity

Some types of gender identity include:

• Man
• Woman
• Non-binary
• Gender-fluid
• Agender

These categories help describe reality, although they do not encompass it completely.

Relationship with other components of sexual identity

Gender identity is one of the components of sexual identity and is related to other elements, although it does not depend on them:

• Biological sex → does not determine gender identity
• Sexual orientation → is independent of gender identity
• Gender expression → does not always match gender identity
• Sexual behavior → does not define gender identity

Understanding these distinctions is key to avoiding confusion.

Relationship with assigned gender at birth

Depending on the relationship between gender identity and assigned gender at birth, terms such as the following are used:

• Cisgender → when they align
• Transgender → when they do not align

These terms do not describe gender identities in themselves, but rather the relationship between different components of sexual identity.

Common misconceptions

It is common to confuse gender identity with other related concepts. Some frequent misconceptions include:

• Thinking that gender identity depends on biological sex
• Associating gender expression with gender identity
• Assuming that gender identity is linked to a specific sexual orientation
• Believing that all people experience gender identity in the same way

Understanding these ideas allows for a more precise understanding of sexual diversity.

In the sexual identity model

Within the sexual identity model, gender identity interacts with the other components, shaping very different personal experiences and forms of self-identification.

sexual identity model

Example

Two people with the same gender identity may have:

• different sexual orientations
• different forms of gender expression
• different sexual behaviors

This shows that gender identity is only one part of the whole.

Conclusion

Gender identity describes how a person perceives themselves in relation to gender, but it does not by itself define their complete identity.

Understanding it within a broader framework, such as sexual identity, helps avoid confusion and encourages a more complete understanding of sexual diversity.

Related components of sexual identity

• Previous: Biological sex
• Next: Gender expression