Gender Expression is how one presents themselves to others through clothing, hairstyle, mannerisms, voice, behavior, or appearance. It can change depending on the context and may not necessarily reflect one's innermost feelings about their gender.
A person may present as masculine at work but more feminine outside of work. Gender Identity refers to an individual's sense of self, regardless of how they express it externally. It can include a range of identities beyond male/female such as agender, nonbinary, bigender, etc., and may be fixed or fluid.
One way to think about this is that gender expression is like clothes; you can choose what you wear based on the occasion or mood, while gender identity is like your skin color - it is something you were born with and cannot change without medical intervention.
Some people may choose to alter their physical appearance through hormones or surgery to better align with their gender identity.
There are various terms used to describe individuals who do not identify strictly within the binary categories of "man" or "woman". Some examples include transgender, genderqueer, and non-binary. These identities often involve a rejection of traditional gender roles and expectations. Transgender people may feel that their assigned sex does not match their gender identity and may transition physically and socially. Genderfluidity refers to someone whose gender identity fluctuates over time. Non-binary individuals reject both male and female labels altogether.
Society has evolved to become more accepting of diverse expressions of gender, though there is still much progress to be made in recognizing non-binary identities. Employers should ensure they provide equal opportunities for all genders, including those who do not fit neatly into either box.
Thank you for reading! I hope this article helped clarify the difference between gender expression and gender identity. Remember, everyone deserves respect regardless of how they express themselves.
What's the difference between gender expression and gender identity?
Gender Expression refers to how one expresses their gender through clothing, hairstyle, behavior, mannerisms, etc. , while Gender Identity refers to an individual's internal sense of self as male, female, both, neither, or something else.