What’s the Difference Between Gender Identity vs Gender Expression?
For many parents and partners of transgender individuals, the term gender identity and gender expression, may be confusing. Understandably so, given the terms are often used interchangeably by most people.
There is however, an important distinction. This distinction can help parents and partners see gender identity as a medical condition versus simply as a form of expression.
First, let me clarify what constitutes a gender expression and gender identity.
GENDER EXPRESSION
Gender expression is how a person outwardly expresses their gender identity.
That is, how they want others to see them in relation to gender.
This may include person’s clothing, hairstyle, makeup, social mannerism as well as their name and pronoun choice.
Gender expression may be masculine, feminine, androgynous, or gender variant.
For some individuals, their gender expression may change from day to day, or overtime. While for others, their gender expression is constant and remains stable throughout their life.
GENDER IDENTITY
Gender identity on the other hand, is an individual internal sense of how they see themselves in relation to gender.
Various forms of gender identity may include male, female, nonbinary, transgender, and agender.
For many people, their gender identity is the same as their biological sex. While for transgender people, their birth-assigned sex and their own internal sense of gender identity do not match. This incongruence leads to symptoms of gender dysphoria and for many, severely inhibits their life.
DISTINCTION BETWEEN GENDER EXPRESSION VS GENDER IDENTITY
People engaging in gender expression, often feel fully comfortable with their gender identity.
Simply put, a person with female gender identity may have masculine gender expression while feeling fully comfortable with their gender identity.
Whereas people whose gender identity does not match their biological sex, experience symptoms of gender dysphoria arising from disconnect between sex assigned at birth and inner sense of who they are.
This is an important distinction. In other words, engaging in various forms of gender expression while feeling comfortable with one gender does not constitute a medical condition known as Gender Dysphoria.
While gender expression for many, is a harmless way to share with the world how they see themselves. Gender Dysphoria stemming from dissonance between sex and gender identity is harmful! It is harmful to one’s internal sense of Self and needs to be addressed with medical treatment.
To better understand just how painful and sever symptoms of gender dysphoria can be, I encourage you to watch Gender Dysphoria Explained.
The significant difference here may help parents and partners understand the medical implications related to individuals struggling with Gender Dysphoria.
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MEET dr z
Clinical Psychologist specializing in gender issues, writer, speaker & DR Z PHD YouTube creator