Componets of Human Identity

Every person has these same components of human identity. Within each of the components, there are a variety, and/or spectrum of diversity that exists.

Assigned Sex: The biological classification of a person as female, male or intersex. It is usually assigned at birth based on a visual assessment of external anatomy. It may or may not be a correct or accurate classification.

Gender Identity: A person’s internal and individual experience of gender. It is not necessarily visible to others and it may or may not align with what society expects based on assigned sex. A person’s relationship to their own gender is not always fixed and can change over time. This happens in the brain during developments before birth.

Gender Expression: The way gender is presented and communicated to the world through clothing, speech, body language, hairstyle, voice and/or the emphasis or de-emphasis of body characteristics and behaviours. These are based on cultural or social practices and often imposed, which may conflict with assigned sex or gender identity.

Attraction: Often referred to as a sexual orientation, attraction describes a person’s potential for emotional, spiritual, intellectual, intimate, romantic and/or sexual interest in other people and may form the basis for aspects of one’s identity and/or behaviour.

For further information, visit EGALE at www.egale.ca