This document discusses gender identity and sexual orientation. It defines key terms like sex, gender, transgender, transsexual, and sexual orientations. It notes that gender identity can differ from biological sex and may change over time. Transgender people's gender identities and presentations do not fit traditional norms. Transsexual people live as the opposite gender and may undergo medical procedures. Coming out is challenging but liberating. Homophobia, heterosexism, and transphobia promote discrimination against LGBTQ people. The document raises questions about defining gender and reducing discrimination.

1. Chapter 9: Gender Identity & Sexual OrientationKatelyn HartnettJune 6, 2011

2. Important Quotes“Our attractions and identities are powerful and intimate parts of who we are.”“Our race, class, geographical, physical, and sexual identities affect and shape our gender, and it may change over time; some people maintain that gender is not necessarily an identity that remains the same from birth to death.”“We all hope that others respect our identities.”

3. Sex & Gender Sex= biological features (vagina, uterus, penis, testicles)Gender=refer to behavioral characteristics (masculine, feminine) or refer to identity (man, woman)Sex & Gender: different concepts but connectedCommon idea: Gender identity is tied to our biological sexIdea of gender and sex being separate allows people to express themselves outside the stereotypes of how society thinks they should act

4. TransgenderDefinition: people whose gender identity and/or presentation do not fit traditional normsAbbreviation= “trans”Raised as woman but conduct self like manBuy male clothes, Cut hair shortGrow facial hair, Bind breasts, Take male hormonesRaised as man but conduct self like womanTake estrogen, Get breast implants, Wear wigs

5. TranssexualDefinition: Person who lives as opposite gender“We feel we were born in a body that doesn’t match who we are inside”Changing can involve:Names, Use of pronouns, Clothes, Taking hormonesSex Reassignment SurgeryVaginoplasty=creating vagina out of male genitalsPhalloplasty=creating penis + scrotum out of female genitals and skin graftsIn addition to “He”, “She” or “Him”, “Her” can refer to transsexual as “Ze” and “Hir”

6. Sexual OrientationRefers to whom we find attractiveStraight/Heterosexual=Women who are sexually attracted to men and men sexually attracted to womenGay/Homosexual=Women who are sexually attracted to women and men who are sexually attracted to menLesbians=Women who are sexually attracted to womenBisexual=People who are sexually attracted to men and womenQueer= Describes an open, fluid sexual orientationAsexual= Someone who is not experiencing or is not acting on sexual attraction at a given timePansexual= Someone who is attracted to people across the range of genders

7. Coming Out…To Ourselves..Accepting + Affirming our sexual orientation to ourselves and deciding how to open up about itOften a gradual processCan occur at any age in our lifeTo Family, Friends, & the World…Challenging + life-changing experienceRisk losing family, friends, jobs but also liberating to be open about who truly areAdditional challengesBeing from traditional religious/conservative communitiesPeople with disabilities, weight issues, or from different racial groups already face discrimination

8. Homophobia, Heterosexism, & TransphobiaCulture teaches us to discriminate + hate transgender and homosexualityHurts everyoneDeprives us of relationships against family and friendsPrevents us from publicly acknowledging friends/partnersHomophobia=fear + hatred of homosexuality or gay, lesbian, or bisexual peopleRisk of violence, rejection, harassment, + self-hatred due to internalizingHeterosexism=assumption that heterosexuality is the only normal orientationDenied legal (filing joint tax returns), religious (marriage), and social (stereotypes, job discrimination) privilegesTransphobia=fear + hatred of transgender or transsexual peopleDifficulty to hold jobs, go to school, and go into sex segregated places (like public restrooms) without rejection, harassment, or arrest

9. Questions..What makes a man a man and a woman a woman?Where does gender come from? Why do people assume gender and sex are the same concept?Should people be able to choose their own gender?How can stereotyping, discrimination, harassment, and violence toward transsexual and transgender be minimized?