Genders

Gender refers to the roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for people, as well as an individual’s internal sense of being male, female, a blend of genders, neither, or another gender altogether. It is distinct from sex, which involves biological attributes such as chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy. While sex is often categorized as male, female, or intersex, gender is more fluid and culturally defined.

A person’s gender identity is their deeply felt experience of their own gender. When a person’s gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth, they are often described as cisgender. If it does not match, the person may identify as transgender or another gender identity. Beyond binary categories, many people identify as non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, demiboy, or demigirl, among other terms.

Gender expression describes how a person conveys gender to others through clothing, behavior, speech, and grooming. Expression can align with or differ from cultural expectations tied to a person’s gender identity, and it can vary across contexts and over time.

Across cultures, societies recognize a variety of gender identities beyond a simple male/female dichotomy. Examples include Indigenous concepts such as two-spirit, and cultural roles such as hijra or fa’afafine. Language, law, and institutions increasingly acknowledge gender diversity through inclusive policies, non-discrimination measures, and gender-identity markers on official documents.

Modern discussions of gender emphasize respect for self-identification, the importance of informed consent in health care, and ongoing research into the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of gender.