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Sexual Orientation & Gender Expression

What is sexual orientation, gender expression, biological sex, and gender identity?

New terms have sprung up in recent years regarding sexual orientation and gender expression. You might be confused or overwhelmed. You might even been put off my all the new terminology.

The fact is that our world is becoming more inclusive of all people and we need to be educated in what our students experience, whether that be as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, an ally, or other member of the community at large. 

Let's take a look at some key terms:

  • Sexual Orientation: a term to describe sexual and/or romantic attraction to others.
  • Gender Identity: a person's internal sense of being male or female or anything in between.
  • Gender Expression: the way people communicate their gender identity to others by the way they dress, act, and/or refer to themselves.
  • Biological Sex: the labels male, female, intersex (people born with reproductive anatomy that does not fit the typical definitions of the female or male anatomy) given to someone at birth based on physical characteristics or other biological markers.
  • Trans/Transgender: a term for people whose gender identity, gender expression, or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth.
  • Gender Dysphoria: clinically significant distress caused when a person's assigned birth sex is not the same as the one with which they identify.

There are many more terms and vocabulary used by the LGBTQIA+ community. Click here for a list from the Human Rights Campaign.

 

 

Talking to your student about sexual orientation and gender expression

When your family is ready to discuss these issues, please check out these resources.

The Sexuality and Gender Expression Advocacy Group

An Advocacy Group is a voluntary member resource group within KCKPS that enables members to meet and build connections based on shared characteristics or interests. These groups are retention tools that are specifically designed to provide support for educators and help them remain in the profession. Learn more about KCKPS Advocacy Groups.