""Gender is not something that one is, it is something one does, an act...a doing rather than a being."" - Judith Butler
Common Misconceptions about Gender Identity
- A person's sex assigned at birth is not the same as their gender. Sex relates to physical anatomy, while gender relates to the traditional societal roles assigned to men and women.
- Transgender is an umbrella term that encompasses many identities. It is commonly understood as a means to categorize any individual whose gender expression does not match their sex assigned at birth.
- Many cultures throughout history have recognized that multiple gender identities exist beyond man and woman. Gender in most cases is thought to occur on a spectrum rather than within a binary system.
- There are structural differences between male and female brains. Transgender individuals typically have brain structures that align with their gender identity.
- Gender norms are social constructs that vary across cultures and change over time.
How do I avoid mistakes when talking about Gender Identity?
- Including your personal pronouns in your introduction or within the signature of your electronic communications not only establishes your preferences, but creates a safe environment for others to do so.
- Listen carefully for how others identify themselves. If an individual uses 'he', 'she', or 'they' pronouns, you should refer to them as the same.
- Never use an individual's 'dead name'. Dead-naming refers to the use of a transgender individual's birth or legal name over their chosen name.
- Recognize that we are all human and mistakes will happen. Once you realize your error or are called out, acknowledge it, give a succinct apology, and continue the conversation.
- Familiarize yourself with how to use sets of pronouns you are less familiar with. (Example: he, they, or ve)