To begin the process of gender inclusivity, one should become fluent in the terms associated with sex, gender, and sexual orientation (Ballering et al., 2023). The following tables list many terms relative to gender identities. Table 1 Table 1. Terms Related to Sex and Gender (Lynn, 2024) Sex
lists and defines terms relevant to gender inclusivity, including those related to sex and gender. Table 2 includes terms relative to sexuality.
External genitalia and internal reproductive organs are indicators of biological sex. An individual’s biological status is female, male, or intersex. Cultural associates of an individual’s biological sex refer to feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. Gender- normative is behavior similar to cultural expectations, and gender nonconformity is the opposite, that is, behavior incompatible with cultural expectations. Medical conditions showing congenital anomalies of the reproductive and sexual system. People are born with sex chromosomes that are not considered male or female. Intersex individuals are not just two sexes; their way of thinking about sex is socially constructed, trying to fit people in a male or female box. A person experiencing a mismatch of the sex they identify with and were born with. Transsexuals sometimes change their sex through medical treatments to change their physical sex to match their sexual identity. However, not all transsexuals desire to undergo surgery to change their physical sex. A person’s innermost concept of self or how they perceive themselves as male, female, or a blend of both or neither. The individual’s gender identity can be different or the same as their sex at birth. Gender expression is a form of gender identity, referring to the external appearance of one’s gender identity, expressed through clothing, behavior, voice, or a haircut, which may or may not conform to behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being masculine or feminine.
Gender
Intersex
Transsexual
Gender identity
Cisgender
A person who, by choice or nature, conforms to gender/sex-based expectations of society.
Transgender Transgender people may identify as gay, lesbian, straight, or bisexual, an umbrella term for individuals whose expressions or gender identity are different from the expectations placed on their sex assigned at birth. Gender transition This term defines a process that some people strive to complete to become more closely aligned with their internal understanding of gender and its outward appearance. Some people dress and use pronouns and names to become socially recognized as another gender. Others may use medical interventions to modify their bodies while undergoing physical transitions. Gender dysphoria Significant suffering a person experiences when they do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. Replaces gender identity disorder, which characterizes the same experiences of adults, adolescents, and children. Genderqueer This form of gender identity is related to social constructions of gender, gender binary systems, and gender stereotypes. A genderqueer person is not a woman or a man. They consider themselves to be a combination of genders or beyond genders. Some identify as transgender, and others do not.
MTF/FTM Two-spirit
A symbol of transitioning genders from male to female or female to male.
Native Americans use this term for people with both male and female attributes. Two-spirits usually dress in a mixture of men’s and women’s clothing and are viewed as a third gender. Referring to Mexican American individuals for gender inclusivity. Chicanx was adopted as a symbol of political activism and pride. Used by Latino descents encompassing diverse gender and sexual identities as a way to critique the gender binary of the Spanish language.
Chicanx
Latinx
awareness. It is important to note that since the sex, gender, and sexual orientation movement began, some of the listed terms may be considered offensive. Therefore, the terminology must be clarified, defined, and understood to respectfully start the process of gender inclusivity individually and in hair salons (Lynn, 2024).
Understanding and being educated within the community of sex, gender, and sexual orientation is crucial to social change and essential in fostering safe, diverse, and unified atmospheres inclusive of all people. The terms listed are not complete within this community of expressions. However, they are helpful as a reference guide to gender inclusivity
EliteLearning.com/Cosmetology
Book Code: ENC0826
Page 16
Powered by FlippingBook