EDU 590 Class Assignment

1. Gender Identity &
Sexual Orientation
BY SHANNON M. MESSER

2. Objective
 To learn the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity?
 Collaborate with others on how to incorporate these topics for a better
understanding.
 Define “misleading terms” that can be classified wrong pertaining to the
defined topics.
 Produce an Essay that demonstrates that the topics have been mastered.
 Promote Sensitivity & Respect

3. Gender Identity

4. Gender Identity Defined:
I. To characteristics that relate to the categories male, female, and some
combination thereof. A person’s gender is understood by many
researchers to be influenced by a range of societal and environmental
factors as well as biological factors. (Psychology Today, 2020)
II. Cisgender refers to a gender identity that corresponds to one’s
biological sex. (Psychology Today, 2020)
III. People whose gender identity feels neither masculine nor feminine may
identify as non-binary. (Psychology Today, 2020)

5. Sexual Orientation

6. Sexual Orientation Defined:
I. Describes a person’s enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional
attraction to another person (for example: straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual.
(Glaad, 2020)
II. Transgender people may be straight, lesbian, gay, or bisexual. For
example, a person who transitions from male to female and is attracted
solely to men would be typically identify as a straight woman. (Glaad,
2020)

7. Respect
I. Whatever a person identifies as, it is important to “RESPECT” them as an
individual and their choices.
II. You don’t have to agree, but RESPECT IS ESSENTIAL.
III. Have Compassion for the Individual and realize it is hard for them to
display their identity, and orientation.

8. Identifying Self:
What is your Sexual
Orientation, and how do you
Gender Identify?

9. Collaboration
Create a Google Docs: Submit 10
questions amongst the group that will
help others identify the difference
between sexual orientation and
gender identity? Then submit on
Blackboard for others to comment.
There is a video for further analysis on
the topic.

10. Assignment
 Write a 2-3 page Essay on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity.
 Examples of Topics: Cultural Norms / Biological Research /Discrimination
and Treatments
 Must include one Peer Reviewed Scholarly Reference
 APA Format, 12 point font, Time Romans
 Conclusion: What did you take away from this experience? How will you
incorporate your understanding of the topic into your daily lives?

11. References
 Psychology Today. (2020). Gender. Psychology Today. Retrieved from:
www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/gender
 Glaad. (2020). Sexual Orientation different Gender Identity. Glaad.
Retrieved from: www.how-sexual-orientation-different-gender-identity