LGBTQ Identities – Send the Right Message

• How you express your gender identity through hairstyle, clothing, behavior, interests, etc. 
• Based on societal factors such as gender norms and perceptions.
• Some people change their expression of gender all the time (gender fluidity) while others choose a more theatrical approach by doing drag (drag queens & kings).

• How you identify based on your attractions and desires (homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, etc).
• A recent theory for the evolution of non-heterosexual orientations is that it is a product of evolution.
• Another theory links the exposure of prenatal hormones to the development of sexuality.
• There are also many studies linking genetics to homosexuality.
• Sexual orientation is NOT a choice and cannot be changed.

The gender binary is the way that society puts people into 2 distinct and opposite boxes, based on the idea that sex, gender & sexuality should align in a certain way.

People who break the gender binary rules are often punished through violence, isolation and denial of basic human rights. While LGBTQ people face the brunt of this oppresion, the gender binary limits everyone by setting rules like “boys can’t be emotional,” or “girls can’t be good at math.”

• Understand that sex, gender, sexual orientation and gender expression are all different things.
• Respect that gender and sexuality are fluid for some people and can change over time.
• Accept and respect the labels/pronouns (or lack of thereof) that people use to describe themselves.
• Don’t assume you know someone’s identity just by looking at them. (Don't stereotype!)

• Cisgender: current gender identity aligns with the sex assigned at birth.
• Transgender: current gender identity doesn’t match the sex assigned at birth.
• Non-binary is a gender identity outside the gender binary of woman/man.
• Gay & lesbian people are attracted to their own gender (homosexuality).
• Bisexual & pansexual are people attracted to more than one gender.
• Asexual: don’t experience sexual attraction.
• Queer is an umbrella term for sexual minorities (LGBTQ+ people).