What is the difference between gender and sex?

If you have ever been confused over sex and gender, please don’t worry, as many have before you. Learning about the differences is the best way to go to make sure you are respectful and supportive of all.

Below is a basic explanation of the differences between sex and gender, so you can have a clearer understanding:

Sex:

Sex is determined by the reproductive organs and hormones you were born with, this means sex is based on reproduction organs and hormones at birth only. You may think this means just male and female, but there is also intersex. This is when a person is born with both female and male reproductive organs/or both XX and XY Chromosomes. Around 1.7% of the world’s population is intersex. 

So, sex is something you are assigned at birth, this type of sex assignment is called natal sex. Sex is not interchangeable with gender.

Gender:

Gender is based on how someone identifies. This means it is more fluid and how each person identifies is defined by someone’s experiences and how they feel in themselves. So in this group you have (but are not limited to) Cisgender, Transgender, Non-binary. It is important to note gender is who someone is and how they feel inside. 

Transgender is when someone’s assigned sex and gender identity do not align.

Someone does not have to transition to be transgender. Some transgender people take hormones and have surgery, some just take hormones, some just have surgery, and some do neither. It is up to the person to chose how they are happiest. 

Cisgender is where someone identifying gender aligns with their assigned sex given at birth. 

Non-binary is an umbrella term, where someone feels they sit outside of binary genders, and may use a gender-neutral term such as they/them. A non-binary person may also use she/her and he/him pronouns alongside they/them as they may be more genderfluid. A person who is non-binary may also have surgery or hormones to feel more themselves. 

Gender is not binary and may change through someone’s life, like sexuality it is a spectrum. So, person’s gender or pronouns may change throughout their life. 
Pronouns should always be respected. And if you are ever unsure of someone’s pronouns you can ask, “what pronouns do you use?” It is not disrespectful to ask about pronouns. 

Also if you ever get someone’s pronouns wrong, this is okay! Apologies and remember their pronouns going forward. It is however disrespectful to continue to use the incorrect pronouns.

Use this knowledge to go forward to make everyone around you feel included and supported!