gender expressions
How one presents
Gender expressions are the outward ways people present their gender identity—through clothing, hairstyle, mannerisms, voice, and behavior.
Someone's gender expression may or may not align with conventional expectations for their biological sex: Her gender expression is fairly masculine, but she identifies as a woman.
The term appears frequently in discussions of LGBTQ+ rights and workplace nondiscrimination policies.
Gender differs from assignment
- nonbinaryOutside male-female categories
- genderqueerOutside the two-category system
- genderfluidVariable gender identity
- agenderHaving no gender identity
bigender · cisgender · transmasculine · transfeminine · two-spirit · demiboy · demigirl · transitioning
Neither distinctly male nor female
- femininePertaining to women
- masculineMale in character
- dragResistance through fluid
- cross-dressingWearing another gender's clothing
clothing · makeup · hairstyle · binding · tucking · packing · voice training · mannerisms
Male-dominated social order
- matriarchyFemale-dominated social system
- masculinityMale gender characteristics
- femininityFemale nature or character
- stereotypesOversimplified beliefs about groups
socialization · expectations · traditions · rites of passage · honorifics · cultural norms
Consisting of two parts
- conformityAdherence to norms
- heteronormativityAssumed universal straightness
- hegemonyDominant group's control
- policingEnforcing laws officially
passing · normative · dress codes · social pressure · gatekeeping · assimilation · respectability · conventional
Violating accepted boundaries
- subversiveSeeking to undermine authority
- queerUnusual or non-normative
- enbyNonbinary person, casually
- genderlessHaving no sex distinction
boundary-crossing · defiance · rebellion · visibility · pride · activism · liberation · resistance
transgender
Gender differs from assignment
- nonbinaryOutside male-female categories
- genderqueerOutside the two-category system
- genderfluidVariable gender identity
agender · bigender · cisgender · transmasculine · transfeminine · two-spirit · demiboy · demigirl · transitioning · coming out
androgynous
Neither distinctly male nor female
cross-dressing · clothing · makeup · hairstyle · binding · tucking · packing · voice training · mannerisms · grooming
patriarchy
Male-dominated social order
- matriarchyFemale-dominated social system
- masculinityMale gender characteristics
- femininityFemale nature or character
stereotypes · socialization · expectations · traditions · rites of passage · honorifics · cultural norms
binary
Consisting of two parts
- conformityAdherence to norms
- heteronormativityAssumed universal straightness
- hegemonyDominant group's control
policing · passing · normative · dress codes · social pressure · gatekeeping · assimilation · respectability · conventional
transgressive
Violating accepted boundaries
- subversiveSeeking to undermine authority
- queerUnusual or non-normative
- enbyNonbinary person, casually
genderless · boundary-crossing · defiance · rebellion · visibility · pride · activism · liberation · resistance · counterculture
gender expressionsgender identity
Inner sense of self-classification
gender expressionsbiological sex
Organism's reproductive classification
sex characteristics · reproductive anatomy · sex organs · secondary sex characteristics · assigned sex
gender expressionsgender neutrality
Avoiding distinctions by sex
gender, genders, gendered, gendering, engender, engendered, engendering, engenders, expression