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Gender

Defining Gender

Broadly, gender is a set of socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate (PFLAG, 2023).

Gender Identity

This is who you, in your head, know yourself to be, based on how much you align (or don’t align) with what you understand to be the options for gender. Your sense of being a woman, a man, somewhere in between, both or neither.  

A person’s deeply held core sense of self in relation to gender (see Gender). Gender identity does not always correspond to biological sex. People become aware of their gender identity at many different stages of life (PFLAG, 2023).

 


Gender Expression

How gender expression is interpreted by others is based on gender norms (social attitudes and expectations for acceptable behaviour for men, women and gender-diverse people). For example, assigning masculinity and femininity to occupations, clothing, and activities is an example of gender norms in society. Names and pronouns are common examples of gender expression.

The manner in which a person communicates about gender to others through external means such as clothing, appearance, or mannerisms. This communication may be conscious or subconscious and may or may not reflect their gender identity or sexual orientation. While most people’s understandings of gender expressions relate to masculinity and femininity, there are countless combinations that may incorporate both masculine and feminine expressions, or neither, through androgynous expressions. All people have gender expressions, and an individual’s gender expression does not automatically imply one’s gender identity (PFLAG, 2023).

An infographic titled "The Genderbread Person," created by Egale. The subtitle reads: "This is a friendly infographic that visually represents four components of human identity. The terms associated with each category are ever evolving."The Genderbread Person," created by Egale. (PDF version)

Gender Relations

Encompass how gender shapes social interactions in families, schools, workplaces and public settings, for instance the power relation between a man patient and woman physician.
(Schiebinger, L., Klinge, I., Sánchez de Madariaga, I., Paik, H. Y., Schraudner, M., & Stefanick, M. (Eds.), 2011-2021).

Gender Equity

Gender equity is about removing barriers that stop people from reaching their full potential. Too often, women and gender diverse people experience unfairness. This is especially true when they also struggle with injustices like poverty, racism, ableism, transphobia and/or homophobia (Government of B.C.).

Additional terms and resources

Expand Your Understanding Through Western EDI’s Comprehensive Module:

Unpacking and Addressing 2SLGBTQIA+ Oppression Unpacking and Addressing Sexism and Misogyny

PFLAG. (2023). LGBTQ+ Glossary. PFLAG. Retrieved from https://pflag.org/glossary/

Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). Gender Equity in B.C. Government of British Columbia. Retrieved from https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/gender-equity

Killermann, S. (2018, October). Breaking through the Binary: Gender Explained Using Continuums. It's Pronounced Metrosexual. Retrieved from https://www.itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2018/10/the-genderbread-person-v4/

Nonomura, R., Lalonde, D., & Baker, L. (2020, February). Gender Equity. Learning Network Issue 30. Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children. London, Ontario. ISBN: 978-1-988412-35-1. Retrieved from https://gbvlearningnetwork.ca/our-work/issuebased_newsletters/issue-30/index.html

Status of Women Canada. (2004). Terminology: An Integrated Approach to Gender-Based Analysis. Retrieved from http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/SW21-124-2004E-2.pdf PDF

Government of Canada. (2017). Policy on Gender Equality. Retrieved from https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/funding-financement/policy-politique.aspx?lang=eng

Ontario Human Rights Commission. (n.d.). Appendix B: Glossary for Understanding Gender Identity and Expression. Ontario Human Rights Commission. Retrieved from https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-preventing-discrimination-because-gender-identity-and-gender-expression/appendix-b-glossary-understanding-gender-identity-and-expression

Rainbow Health Ontario. (2022). Glossary. Rainbow Health Ontario. Retrieved from https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/news-publications/glossary/

Egale Canada. (2020). The Genderbread Person. Retrieved from https://egale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ENG-Genderbread-Person_NEW.pdf PDF