The Trevor Project: Gender Identity
Introduction
Gender identity is a person’s inner sense of being male, female, both, or neither. It determines how you see yourself in the world and how you want to be seen by others. Gender identity may change or develop over time.
What is biological sex?
Biological sex is assigned to you at birth based on whether you have male or female sex genitalia and sex organs.
Gender identity is not the same as sexual identity. For most people, their gender identity matches their biological sex (cisgender). For others, their biological sex is different from their gender identity (transgender). A person may realize he or she is transgender in childhood or later in life. Transgender people come from every ethnic and religious background. They are part of communities across the …show more content…
It is not the job of the transgender person to help you with this.
If you are struggling to deal with with a friend or loved one's gender identity, get counseling.
Where to find support:
Your local transgender advocacy organization.
A therapist or psychologist who has expertise in gender identity issues.
National Center for Transgender Equality: www.transequality.org
Gender Spectrum: genderspectrum.org/lounge
The Trevor Project: www.thetrevorproject.org
Where to find more information:
Human Rights Campaign: www.hrc.org
American Psychological Association: www.apa.org
American Academy of Pediatrics: www.healthychildren.org
Summary
Gender identity is the inner sense of being male, female, a combination of both, or neither. Biological sex is assigned at birth based on genitalia and sex organs.
For most people, their gender identity matches their biological sex (cisgender). For others, their biological sex is different from their gender identity (transgender).
To support someone who is transgender, maintain open, honest communication with the person.
If you are struggling to deal with a friend or loved one's gender identity, get
Gender identity is a person’s inner sense of being male, female, both, or neither. It determines how you see yourself in the world and how you want to be seen by others. Gender identity may change or develop over time.
What is biological sex?
Biological sex is assigned to you at birth based on whether you have male or female sex genitalia and sex organs.
Gender identity is not the same as sexual identity. For most people, their gender identity matches their biological sex (cisgender). For others, their biological sex is different from their gender identity (transgender). A person may realize he or she is transgender in childhood or later in life. Transgender people come from every ethnic and religious background. They are part of communities across the …show more content…
It is not the job of the transgender person to help you with this.
If you are struggling to deal with with a friend or loved one's gender identity, get counseling.
Where to find support:
Your local transgender advocacy organization.
A therapist or psychologist who has expertise in gender identity issues.
National Center for Transgender Equality: www.transequality.org
Gender Spectrum: genderspectrum.org/lounge
The Trevor Project: www.thetrevorproject.org
Where to find more information:
Human Rights Campaign: www.hrc.org
American Psychological Association: www.apa.org
American Academy of Pediatrics: www.healthychildren.org
Summary
Gender identity is the inner sense of being male, female, a combination of both, or neither. Biological sex is assigned at birth based on genitalia and sex organs.
For most people, their gender identity matches their biological sex (cisgender). For others, their biological sex is different from their gender identity (transgender).
To support someone who is transgender, maintain open, honest communication with the person.
If you are struggling to deal with a friend or loved one's gender identity, get