Webinar
Watch a short webinar on sexual and gender diversity in the workplace. You will learn more about the main concepts, specific vocabulary, the challenges that LGBTQ+ people may face, and best practices to ensure a more inclusive workplace. Duration: 18 m 57 s
Four fundamental concepts
1. Sex
Sex assiged at birth Label (female or male) given to a person at birth based on their external reproductive organs.
Biological sex Defined by several factors, including external reproductive organs but also the internal reproductive system, sex chromosomes, and hormones produced and absorbed by the body. If any of these characteristics do not fit the medical norms for female or male bodies, a person is considered to be intersex.
2. Gender identity
Gender identity refers to how one defines their gender (man, woman, nonbinary, Two Spirit, etc.). This intimate, deep, personal understanding of oneself develops between the ages of 3 and 5 and can evolve throughout a person’s life. When someone’s gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth, they are considered to be “cis” or “cisgender.” When their gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth, they are considered to be “trans” or “transgender” (definitions for the words "trans" and "nonbinary" can be found later on in the guide).
3. Gender expression
Gender expression refers to how a person presents or expresses their gender, in particular through their appearance (hair, clothing, makeup, etc.). People may have a more feminine, a more masculine, or an androgynous (both masculine and feminine) gender expression. What is considered “feminine” or “masculine” varies in time and across cultures. Finally, gender expression is not necessarily associated with gender identity; for instance, a woman can have short hair and a man can wear pink.
4. Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation refers to the attraction one feels for members of one or more genders, or no genders at all. Although it contains the word “sexual,” the term “sexual orientation” often encompasses various types of attraction, including both romantic attraction (romantic feelings) and sexual attraction (physical attraction). Some examples of sexual orientation include heterosexuality (attraction to members of a different gender), homosexuality (attraction to members of the same gender), bisexuality (attraction to two genders, usually men and women), pansexuality (attraction regardless of gender),1 asexuality (little or no sexual attraction to anyone) and aromanticism (little or no romantic attraction to anyone).
Other key concepts to help you understand sexual and gender diversity
This is not an exhaustive list, but understanding the concepts outlined below will give you a solid foundation to help you participate in discussions about gender and sexual diversity.
Gender binary/binarism
This paradigm splits humans into two opposing, mutually exclusive genders: men and women. This system does not take into account the diversity of human beings and excludes intersex, trans, nonbinary and gender-fluid people, as well as anyone who doesn’t conform to gender norms. Gender diversity best practices include viewing gender as a spectrum that includes a wide range of identities rather than two mutually exclusive categories.
Did you know?
Categorizing humans into two genders is not universal! Many cultures recognize a third gender, such as hijras in Southern Asia, Two Spirit people in North America, muxes in Mexico and bakla in the Philippines. Some cultures even recognize more than three genders, such as the Bugis people of Polynesia, who have words for five different genders.
Coming out
Coming out is the process of sharing one’s sexual orientation or gender identity with certain people.
In most cases, it is a gradual process, starting with an intimate circle (family, friends, colleagues). When a person expresses their identity freely (having shared it with most of the people around them), they are often said to be “out.” Because being straight and cisgender is considered the “default setting” in our society, throughout their lifetime, and with every new person they meet, LGBTQ+ people must decide whether or not to share their identity. This decision is theirs to make, and it is important to never reveal their sexual orientation or gender identity (“out” them) without their consent.
Gender and sexual diversity
This term refers to all sexual orientations and the whole range of gender expressions and identities. It includes people who are homosexual, bisexual and trans, and members of other communities such as those who are queer, intersex, asexual, Two Spirit, etc. (LGBTQ+).
Gender dysphoria/euphoria
Feeling of deep distress experienced by trans people because their gender identity conflicts with the sex they were assigned at birth. This feeling can be exacerbated by the appearance of certain body parts (the chest, for instance) or certain interactions (for example, if someone refers to them using the wrong name or pronoun). However, dysphoria is not experienced by every trans person. At the opposite of gender dysphoria, trans people may also feel gender euphoria, a feeling of intense happiness, which can happen when they are able to express their gender openly and their gender identity is validated by others.
Homophobia
Negative attitudes towards homosexuality that can lead, directly or indirectly, to discrimination against homosexual or bisexual people or those perceived as such. There are also variants of homophobia such as lesbophobia, when this aversion is more specifically directed towards lesbians, or biphobia, when it concerns bisexuals.
Invalidating someone’s identity
Calling into question or failing to respect someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, such as by denying the existence of bisexual, nonbinary or asexual people or by misgendering a trans person.
Intersectionality
LGBTQ+ people, like everyone else, are complex individuals with multiple identities, all of which influence how they experience the world. Intersectionality emphasizes the importance of recognizing the different identities that make up each individual (e.g., gender, sexual orientation, skin colour, disability, social class, religion, level of instruction) and the ways they interact, to give a better understanding of their situation and experiences. An intersectional approach helps make sure people aren't excluded. It also means they won't be forced to choose between their multiple identities (LGBTQ+ people can also be disabled, parents, racialized, etc.).
Glossary
Here are a few terms related to gender identity. A more extensive glossary is available at: en.fondationemergence.org/lexique
Note : The definitions in this glossary are for information purposes only and are not exhaustive. Vocabulary related to gender and sexual diversity is constantly evolving. The person in question is always the ultimate authority on which words define them best, so it is important to listen to them.
Two Spirit
The word “Two Spirit” is an English umbrella term, created to reflect and restore Indigenous traditions that were forcefully suppressed by colonization. It is used to refer to a North American Indigenous person who embodies both a female and a male spirit. This term can refer to gender identity, gender expression and/or sexual orientation, and can also have a social or spiritual dimension.
The Two Spirit identity is part of a relationship to sexual and gender diversity that existed in Indigenous cultures long before colonization and continues to this day. Other more specific terms may exist in different Indigenous languages. The Two Spirit community is represented by the “2S” in the longer version of the acronym 2SLGBTQ+. The word “Two Spirit” can be used instead of or in addition to any of the LGBTQ+ identities (e.g., a person might say they are Two Spirit and lesbian).
Gender fluid
A person whose gender identity fluctuates between different gender identities (e.g., man, woman, agender).
Nonbinary
A person whose gender identity is neither exclusively man nor exclusively woman. This term refers to various identities that can be defined as a mix of man and woman, man and woman at the same time (bigender) or neither man nor woman (agender).
Queer
A word originally used as a derogatory term for LGBTQ+ people before being reclaimed in the 1990s. Today, this term is mostly used as a word of empowerment by people who embrace a gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation that doesn’t fit social norms. This term can also have a political connotation. This word must be used with care, as some people still consider it to be offensive, especially older people who heard it used as an insult in the past. Do not use this word to refer to anyone unless you know they use it to describe themselves.
Questioning
Someone who is questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. This can happen at any age.
Trans
A generic term used to refer to anyone whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. “Trans” is an adjective: a trans woman is a woman who was assigned male at birth, a trans man is a man who was assigned female at birth. Nonbinary people are usually included under the term “trans" because their gender identity (nonbinary) does not correspond to their sex assigned at birth (female or male).
The terms “trans,” “transsexual,” “transvestite” and “drag queen” all describe different realities!
The term “trans” includes the terms “transgender” and “transsexual.” In the past, the term “transsexual” was used to refer to people who had undergone “sexual reassignment” surgery (and were therefore allowed to change their gender on their identity documents). “Transgender,” on the other hand, referred to those who had not undergone or did not wish to undergo this surgery.
Nowadays, however, a trans person can change the gender on their identity documents without undergoing surgery. Moreover, “transsexual” is generally considered to be an obsolete, even derogatory term, because it has both medical and sexualized connotations and puts the emphasis on gender-affirming surgeries that not all trans people want or have access to.
A trans person should not be confused with a transvestite (also called crossdresser) or a drag queen. The terms “transvestite” and “drag queen” refer to something an individual does (dressing up as a gender other than their own). The term “trans,” however, refers to who they are (their gender identity does not match the sex that was assigned to them at birth), regardless of how they dress.
Talking about diversity respectfully
DON'T
Don't say that someone has “admitted” to being LGBTQ+
Saying someone has “admitted” they are LGBTQ+ implies that it is a crime or something to be ashamed of. Although homosexuality is still illegal in many countries, it was decriminalized in Canada in 1969. Try using neutral terms like “shared” or “came out,” or simply state that the person said they were gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans or any other LGBTQ+ identity.
Don't say: “You don’t look gay/trans!”
Complimenting someone on the fact that their homosexuality or trans identity “doesn’t show” can give the impression that you subscribe to stereotypes about these identities or think that “looking gay” or “looking trans” is a bad thing.
Don't say: “You’re really pretty for a trans woman!”
This may seem like a compliment, but it isn’t. It implies that trans women are not usually pretty and that this person is an exception to the rule. It can also imply that this woman would not be considered pretty if she were to be compared to cisgender women.
Don't describe a trans man as a “woman who wants to become a man” or a trans woman as a “man who dresses up like a woman”
“Trans” is an adjective and it is important to understand that a trans man is a man, and not a woman. In no way are trans men “women who dress up as men” or “women who want to become men.” Similarly, describing a trans woman as a “man who dresses up as a woman” invalidates and disrespects her gender identity. You can just say that she is a trans woman, a woman who was assigned male at birth, or even better, just “a woman.”
DO
Do talk about a trans person using the first name and pronouns they use
When talking about a trans person, use the name and pronouns they use now, even if the person hasn't legally changed their name and even if what you're talking about took place before the person transitioned (unless otherwise specified). Using a person's deadname and old pronouns is disrespectful to their identity and risks exposing them as a trans person to other people.
Do speak openly and without taboos about sexual and gender diversity
You can show your openness to sexual and gender diversity by addressing these topics in a positive way. For example, you can talk about your loved ones who are LGBTQ+, show your support for meaningful initiatives like the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (May 17), or Pride Week, or even talk about LGBTQ+ people and characters that you value. This will send the message that you are a person who accepts these realities (which is not yet the case for everyone). Such an attitude also helps to normalize these topics of conversation and counter the taboos that sometimes surround them.
1. There is no consensus on the difference between bisexuality and pansexuality. Some pansexual people also describe themselves using the word "bi" or "bisexual," knowing that not everyone is familiar with the concept of pansexuality. Some people believe that pansexuality, unlike bisexuality, includes an attraction to nonbinary people.
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