Gender & identity

Gender identity

Alsogender IDgender identitiesinner sense of gender

Definition

A person's deeply felt internal sense of their own gender, for example as a woman, a man, both, neither, or something else.

At a glance

  • Gender identity is a person's internal sense of their own gender.
  • It cannot be seen from outside; only the person themselves knows it.
  • When it matches the sex assigned at birth, the person is cisgender.
  • When it differs, a person may describe themselves as transgender, non-binary or with another word.
  • Gender identity is separate from sexual orientation.

In detail

Gender identity is internal: it cannot be seen from the outside and is known only by the person themselves. Most people's gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth, which is what cisgender means. When it does not, a person may describe themselves as transgender, non-binary or with another term.

Gender identity is separate from sexual orientation. Knowing someone's gender tells you nothing about who they are attracted to, and the reverse is also true.

In a sentence

  • She explained that her gender identity has always been clear to her, even as a child.
  • The new policy protects staff from discrimination based on gender identity.

Where the word comes from

The phrase gender identity came into use in medicine and psychology in the 1960s and later spread into law, human rights language and everyday speech.

Not to be confused with

  • Sexual orientation

    Gender identity is about who you are; sexual orientation is about who you are attracted to.

  • Gender expression

    Gender expression is how gender is shown outwardly through clothing, voice and behaviour, and does not always reflect identity.

Common questions

Is gender identity the same as sexual orientation?

No. Gender identity is about who you are. Sexual orientation is about who you are attracted to. A trans person can be straight, gay, bisexual or any other orientation, just like a cisgender person.

Can you tell someone's gender identity by looking at them?

No. Appearance shows gender expression, which may or may not match identity. The only reliable way to know someone's gender is if they tell you.

Related terms

Sources

  1. American Psychological AssociationTransgender people, gender identity and gender expression