What is sexual identity?
People often use different words and terms to describe sexuality. This can create confusion and misunderstanding. For this Spotlight, sexual identity refers to the complex, lifelong process everyone goes through that includes the aspects of sex, gender and orientation.
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Sex refers to our physiological characteristics based on chromosomes, hormones and anatomy. A person can be female, male or intersex (having characteristics of both sexes).
- Gender refers to our patterns of behaviour that are generally seen to be based on biological sex, and that are usually described under the broad terms of masculinity for males and femininity for females. However, this definition fails to acknowledge the rich diversity of gender expression. Many people have a combination of behaviours that include what may be traditionally categorised as masculine and feminine characteristics; and some people identify their gender as other than their biological sex (transgender).
- Orientation refers to our sexual attraction to another person. An individual may be attracted to people of the same sex (homosexual), other sex (heterosexual), or all sexes (bisexual). It's important to remember that an individual's sexual orientation involves more than sexual behaviour. Orientation includes attraction, companionship, intimacy and emotional attachments as well as sexual activity.
These patterns of gendered behaviour also differ between societies and across the social, ethnic and cultural groups within societies. Even for a single individual, gender behaviours change over time and within different social contexts.
Understanding and celebrating the diversity of sexuality enriches all our lives.
Society's acceptance of diverse sexualities and gender
identities is a major factor in an individual's successful transition through
various lifestages. These significant lifestages include
childhood, youth, middle age and ageing.
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