Gender Expression
We’ve covered the terms sex assigned at birth and gender identity. The third experience we all share is gender expression. Our gender expression is the way(s) in which we communicate our gender to others. These can be clues such as hair length, facial hair, make up, clothing style, tone or pitch of voice, etc. Expression is a tool many of us use to align our appearance with who we know ourselves to be. Gender expression can exist on a spectrum that includes masculine, androgynous, and feminine or wholly removed from those reference points. Many people, both transgender and cisgender people, enjoy dressing only masculine, only feminine, androgynously, or something else all together. Some people may express a consistent style throughout their entire life, and others may enjoy different styles of expression at different times.
While someone’s expression may provide us with clues about their gender identity, we cannot know how they identify until they choose to share that with us. Knowing that, one of the most powerful things we can do is to notice when we assume an individual’s identity based on their expression. Once we notice this, we can work to cultivate a space of openness and humility to remind ourselves that we can’t know until we’re told. And that information is a gift!
TODAY’S CHALLENGE
Read:
- Elizabeth Boskey, PhD, What is Androgyny?, Verywell Health, (July 27, 2023). [10 minute read]
Watch:
- What’s the difference between Gender Identity and Gender Expression?, PinkNews, (July 15, 2022). [5 minute video]
Discuss:
- How would you describe your gender expression today? How would you describe your gender expression yesterday? Does your expression differ based on the day or activity?
- Have you ever experienced shaming or judgment for how you express your gender? How has that impacted your day-to-day? How might that impact how others’ expression of their gender expression?