Title: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity – SexInfo Online
Headings: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Sex vs. Sexual Orientation
Sex
Sexual Orientation
Gender vs. Gender Identity
Gender
Gender Identity
Concluding Remarks
References

Content: 6 Individuals who feel they are neither a man nor a woman often refer to themselves as third gender. Some cultures recognize a third gender as part of their gender classifications. For example, in India, Hijra are third gender indivudials who are thought to have spiritual and religious importance and play critical roles in ceremonies and rituals. In addition, many indigenous cultures across the Americas recognize a third gender known as the Two-Spirit or Llamana, who also fulfill traditional ceremonial roles in society. Cisgender individuals are traditionally seen as having more privilege in today’s society due to their gender identity aligning with society’s expectations of gender. This belief that cisgender is the “correct” form of gender identification has led to cissexism – a concept in the field of gender studies that argues that people in society unconsciously hold prejudices around the idea that identifying as cisgender is “normal” which in turn promotes the gender binary (the idea that there are two distinct genders defined solely by anatomy) and furthers the oppression of non-binary individuals and trans people. Examples of cissexism include using greetings such as “ladies and gentlemen,” not using the correct pronouns when addressing a trans person, or assuming a person’s gender based on their physical characteristics. When negative views towards trans