Gender 101

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Gender 101

10 min

In this unit, we will unpack why it is important to understand one's gender identity, define terms that refer to someone's gender identity, and provide an opportunity to reflect on what you learned.

Content created by our partner OK2BME

A Map of Gender Diversity

Gender is one of the many components that can make up someone's identity. It is important to note that gender diversity exists beyond Canadian and American contexts. Many cultures recognize that there are more than 2 genders.

There are many different gender identities that we will define later in this unit. These gender identities include male, female, transgender, non-binary, gender-neutral, agender, pangender, genderqueer, Two-Sprit, third-gender, and all, none, or a combination of these. Gender diversity has been around for a very long time!

Interact with the map below to explore different regions' history with gender identity and diversity.

(A Map of Gender-Diverse Cultures, 2015)

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Some (but not all) gender identity terms:

Expand the drop downs below learn some gender identity terms. The terms people use to describe their gender identity are always evolving. The most important thing is to be respectful and use the terms that people prefer.

Transgender

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from what is typically associated with the gender they were assigned at birth. Sometimes transgender is abbreviated to trans.
Cisgender

Cisgender (or “cis”) is an umbrella term referring to people whose own gender identity and gender expression match the gender assigned to them at birth.

Cisgender is a term coined in the 1990s to refer to people who are not transgender.
Two-Spirit

Two-Spirit is a modern umbrella term used by some Indigenous North Americans to describe gender-variant individuals in their communities. Commonly, Two-Spirit folks are people within Indigenous communities who have both male and female spirits within them.
Non-Binary

Someone who does not identify as a man or a woman, or solely as one of those two genders. Often, non-binary is used as an umbrella term for identities that fall outside the man/woman gender binary. Being non-binary means different things to different people, so this definition is purposely broad.
Queer

Queer is an umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities that are not heterosexual or cisgender. Queer was originally used pejoratively against those with same-sex desires but, beginning in the late-1980s, queer scholars and activists began to reclaim the word. While some people have reclaimed the word and use it to refer to their gender, others find the word offensive.
Questioning

The questioning of one’s gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, or all three is a process of exploration by people who may be unsure, still exploring, and/or concerned about applying a social label to themselves for various reasons.
Agender

Agender people (sometimes called genderless, genderfree, non-gendered or ungendered people), are those who identify as having no gender or being without any gender identity. This category includes a range of identities that do not conform to traditional gender norms.
Gender Variance

Gender variance, or gender nonconformity, is behavior or gender expression by an individual that does not match masculine and/or feminine gender norms. People who exhibit gender variance may be called gender variant, gender non-conforming, gender diverse or gender atypical, and may be transgender, or otherwise variant in their gender expression. Some intersex people may also exhibit gender variance.
Pangender

Pangender people are those who feel they identify as all genders. The term overlaps with genderqueer because of its all-encompassing nature, presentation, and pronoun usage that varies between different people who identify as pangender.

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People can have different experiences and face different barriers in life depending on their gender identity. For example, transgender people can face challenges to develop a sense of belonging. We shared some statistics below that illustrate just a snapshot of the challenges that some transgender people go through.

47% had to move away from their friends and family because of their gender identity.
59% worry about growing old and alone.
65% have been objectified or fetishized.
73% fear they will die young.
86% have tried to pass as non-trans.

(Outlook study, 2018)

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People who are not cisgender can face what is called minority stress.

Minority stress = homo/bi/transphobia + Stigma (expectations of rejection and discrimination) + actual experience of discrimination & violence.

The higher the minority stress level, the higher the risk for mental health problems.

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The increased challenges that non-cisgender people can face, including minority stress, are just a few of the reasons why cisgender people need to learn about gender identities.

One key step in learning about gender identity is understanding what makes up someone's gender identity. Over the next few sections, we will define the concepts listed below to unpack what gender identity is.

Gender schema
Gender identity
Gender expression

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Gender Schema Theory

By: Sandra Bem

Gender Schema Theory explains how individuals become gendered in a society or associate with one of the genders listed at the beginning of this unit, a gender not listed, or no gender at all.
A gender schema is an organized set of gender-related beliefs which lead people to perceive gender in the world. These beliefs can include what clothes someone wears, activities they like, or behaviors that are assumed 'acceptable' or 'unacceptable' for their gender.
Someone's self-esteem can be impacted as they try to match society's expectations with their personal preferences and gender identity.
It is important to understand gender schema theory as it explains some of the processes through which gender stereotypes become psychologically ingrained in our society.

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Gender schema helps us understand gender stereotypes. Gender stereotypes influence the roles that people feel they need to follow to be considered one gender or another. As people develop gender schemas, stereotypes can impact what a person believes to be acceptable or unacceptable for persons of their gender identity. Stereotypes are harmful; by being aware of some common stereotypes, we might be better equipped to recognize others.

Expand the drop downs below to see examples of each stereotype.

Traditional feminine gender stereotypes examples:

Submissive
Nurturing
Home-oriented
Emotional
Gentle
Traditional masculine gender stereotypes examples:

Dominant
Active
Tough
Aggressive
Independent

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Let’s take a look at the Gender Unicorn and break down gender identity and gender expression.

It is important to note that gender identity is not always equal to gender expression and vice versa!

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“Gender identity is each person’s internal and individual experience of gender. It is a person’s sense of being a woman, a man, both, neither, or anywhere along the gender spectrum. A person’s gender identity may be the same as or different from their birth-assigned gender.”

(Ontario Human Rights Commission’s “Policy on Preventing Discrimination Because of Gender Identity and Gender Expression.”)

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“Gender expression is how a person publicly expresses or presents their gender. This can include behavior and outward appearances such as dress, hair, make-up, body language and voice. A person’s chosen name and pronoun are also common ways of expressing gender. Others perceive a person’s gender through these attributes.”

(Ontario Human Rights Commission’s “Policy on Preventing Discrimination Because of Gender Identity and Gender Expression.”)

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It’s time to reflect! Refer back to the Gender Unicorn:
Where do you fall on the gender identity scale?

-Female/Woman/Girl+ -Male/Man/Boy + -Other Gender(s)+

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It’s time to reflect! Refer back to the Gender Unicorn:
Are your gender identity and gender expression aligned?

Gender Identity:

-Female/Woman/Girl + -Male/Man/Boy+ -Other Gender(s)+

Gender Expression:

-Feminine+ -Masculine+ -Other+

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It’s important to know that someone’s gender identity may not align with their gender expression.

Instead of assuming someone’s gender, it is always better to allow people to choose to share their gender or not. Someone's name and pronouns are two ways in which people express their gender identity.

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Using inclusive language is important to accommodate and respect everyone. The words we use to refer to gender identity and expression are constantly evolving. You can visit sources like OK2BME to learn what words are commonly preferred and why. It is important to use inclusive, correct language because it helps you:

Avoid excluding certain groups and/or people.
Respect everyone’s unique identity.
Welcome diversity.
Lead by example to inform the actions of others.

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Things to remember:

The language we use in reference to someone's gender identity and expression is important.

Gender diversity exists beyond Canadian and American contexts and has existed for a very long time.

2SLGBTQ+ folks face greater challenges than cisgender people.

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How would you rate this education unit?
1 = would not recommend; 5 = would recommend

5
4
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2
1

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Did you learn something new?

Yes
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Any other feedback?

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Enter Access Code

Gender 101

A Map of Gender Diversity

Some (but not all) gender identity terms:

Gender Schema Theory

It’s time to reflect! Refer back to the Gender Unicorn:
Where do you fall on the gender identity scale?

It’s time to reflect! Refer back to the Gender Unicorn:
Are your gender identity and gender expression aligned?

Things to remember:

How would you rate this education unit?
1 = would not recommend; 5 = would recommend

Did you learn something new?

Any other feedback?

Congratulations. Unit Complete!

“Call yourself a planet because all this space derives from punctured cells and this floatation device called gender is permitting you to wander.”

- Aimee Herman, Meant to Wake Up Feeling

Enter Access Code

Gender 101

A Map of Gender Diversity

Some (but not all) gender identity terms:

Gender Schema Theory

It’s time to reflect! Refer back to the Gender Unicorn: Where do you fall on the gender identity scale?

It’s time to reflect! Refer back to the Gender Unicorn: Are your gender identity and gender expression aligned?

Things to remember:

How would you rate this education unit? 1 = would not recommend; 5 = would recommend

Did you learn something new?

Any other feedback?

Congratulations. Unit Complete!

“Call yourself a planet because all this space derives from punctured cells and this floatation device called gender is permitting you to wander.” - Aimee Herman, Meant to Wake Up Feeling

It’s time to reflect! Refer back to the Gender Unicorn:
Where do you fall on the gender identity scale?

It’s time to reflect! Refer back to the Gender Unicorn:
Are your gender identity and gender expression aligned?

How would you rate this education unit?
1 = would not recommend; 5 = would recommend

“Call yourself a planet because all this space derives from punctured cells and this floatation device called gender is permitting you to wander.”

- Aimee Herman, Meant to Wake Up Feeling