Understanding gender, sex & sexuality.
Learning about gender. How is gender different from sexuality? How does gender exist outside the binary (male & female)? The Gender Unicorn provides a breakdown of the differences between gender identity, gender expression, biological sex, and physical & emotional attraction.
[The image above is a purple unicorn with graphics representing the concepts of identity, expression, sex & attraction]
Explore more. TSER has an interactive Gender Unicorn on their website. Use this tool to find yourself on the gender spectrum-- an exercise that reiterates the concept that we all have a gender and sexual identity! Available in multiple languages.
Gender identity & expression defined.
Let's talk about pronouns.
Not everyone identifies with, nor uses, binary pronouns (she/her/hers, he/him/his). When addressing someone whose pronouns you don't know, it's always good practice to default to gender-neutral language (they/them/thiers). Or if you know their name-- use it until you know more about their pronouns.
Some example pronoun usage:
"Madison got a new sweater, they look great in the color green, don't they? I think green is their favorite color!"
"The person on stage has a wonderful singing voice; I wonder if they take singing lessons? I will ask them after the show."
Practice. It's totally possible to become awesome at incorporating non-binary and/or gender-neutral pronouns into your daily vocab-- and doing so is an affirming act of support for people who identify as such. A simple way to practice is to use a persons chosen pronouns in day-to-day conversation (whether or not they are present).
Want more practice? You can also use online learning games, like the Pronouns Practice App-- a tool from Minus 18, a network for LGBT youth in Australia.