By If there is a common mistake, it is to think that sexual orientation and gender identity are the same thing. But, in reality, they are very different aspects that should be understood. In the following article we describe these differences.
If a person is transgender, does that mean they are homosexual? The answer is “not always.” And it is not because there are clear differences between sexual orientation and gender identity. However, in our collective imagination we tend to merge both spheres, thereby confusing concepts and unintentionally carrying out some exercise of discrimination.
While gender identity defines the way a person feels and experiences their own gender, sexual orientation is linked to who you are attracted to and who you love . Understanding these dimensions and integrating a common vocabulary in this area facilitates inclusion and allows us to speak, disclose and express ourselves appropriately. Let’s look at more details below.
Today, dating apps take into account all gender identities and sexual orientations.
Defining concepts: sexual orientation and gender identity
Our society is making progress in terms of diversity, and this is something valuable. However, this openness to the whole range of ways of loving and feeling requires a good understanding of the subject. A work shared in Frontiers in Psychology reviews the controversies that have occurred throughout history on this subject.
Although the weight of stigma continues to accompany the LGTBI+ community , progress is evident. As the same publication indicates, the concept of gender identity was coined in the 1960s, to define the persistent internal feeling of belonging to the male or female gender category. Decades later, this spectrum was expanded.
Today, we already clearly define the boundaries between the two spheres. Thus, identity refers to how we identify with our gender, beyond the biological sex with which we come into the world . On the other hand, sexual orientation expresses who we are attracted to, without this having to coincide with our gender identity.
How do sexual orientation and gender identity differ?
Research released by Oregon Health and Science University highlights that there are clear differences between sexual orientation and gender identity. They are independent components; although we often assume that there is a direct correspondence between genital sex and a person’s gender identity, this is not always the case.
It is important to clarify those nuances that mark the distance between one dimension and the other. Let’s delve deeper into this.
Gender identity defines who you are
Gender identity is a very intimate perception that integrates emotional, psychological and social aspects. These are the aspects that determine how a person perceives and expresses themselves. It is also crucial to know that this sphere can manifest itself through four categories:
- Non-binary people : In this characteristic, the person does not clearly identify with either gender.
- Cisgender: In this case, the gender identity coincides with the biological sex with which the person was born and which society itself and their family assign to them as a result.
- Transsexual: A transsexual person is one who, because their gender identity does not match their biological sex, decides to begin a hormonal and surgical transition.
- Transgender: these are men and women who do not identify with the biological characteristics with which they came into the world. This forces them to take the step in many areas, such as family and social, to live and express themselves in accordance with their perceived gender.
Sexual orientation, who you love and who you are attracted to
To understand the differences between sexual orientation and gender identity, it is interesting to take into account how we relate sexually and emotionally with others. Because, as we well know, human beings love , bond and relate in multiple ways and all are equally valid and significant. Let us now analyze the sexual orientations that we can feel:
- Heterosexuality: attraction to a sex different from our own.
- Homosexuality : attraction to those who have the same sex as us.
- Bisexuality : This case defines the attraction felt by both sexes.
- Asexuality : encompasses people who do not experience sexual attraction.
- Pansexuality : In this type of orientation one feels attraction to any gender identity.
Gender identity often develops in childhood and is sometimes inconsistent with biological and socially assigned sex.
Development of gender identity and sexual orientation
How do our gender identity and sexual orientation develop? Is there a biological component or are they “social constructions”? Answering this question is complex, especially if we seek empirical and scientific support.
We need more longitudinal research on a larger scale to have clear results in this regard. Nevertheless, there are facts that we frequently observe and which we will list below:
- Children typically express their gender identity and sexual orientation before adolescence .
- When gender identity does not correspond to biological sex, contradiction and suffering arise in certain cases.
- It usually takes time to integrate these realities and, above all, good family and social support .
- Doubts and difficult emotions arise, especially when a young person must express this internal reality to his family and friends.
- School years tend to be the most complex for people in the LGTBI community, because bullying sometimes occurs .
How to deal with problems associated with differences between sexual orientation and gender identity?
Information helps and discourages concerns about sexuality. Knowing that there are differences between sexual orientation and gender identity strengthens self-knowledge and allows us to be compassionate with ourselves. In fact, research from the University of British Columbia refers to the need to care for adolescents caught in situations dominated by stigma and rejection.
In this scenario, it would be enriching to promote adequate education on gender identity and sexual orientation in all schools, integrate psychologists specialized in LGBT+ into these institutions, facilitate access to organizations and entities authorized in this field and promote greater awareness in this matter among families.
Although we are breaking down many stigmas in this area, we still have a long way to go. Only through empathy, knowledge and sensitivity will we be able to create a more respectful society; one where we understand that there are many ways of loving, feeling and identifying. And they all fit; they are all valid.