Sex, Gender, Sexuality

Written by Henry Zhu

Introduction

The distinctions between sex, gender, and sexuality are fundamental to understanding human identity and social dynamics. Misrepresentations and oversimplifications of these concepts can lead to misunderstandings, particularly in broad categorizations like LGBTQ+. Distinguishing between these terms is crucial for accurate representation and respectful discourse. In addition, discerning these concepts with more or less sublet meanings is also a respect when having public discourse under such topics. 

Analysis of Misrepresentation in the Term LGBTQ+

Scholar Marlon M. Bailey (2013), in his ethnographic book Butch Queens up in Pumps: Gender, Performance, and Ballroom Culture in Detroit, provides comprehensive and insightful arguments about the conflation within the term "LGBTQ+." The term LGBTQ+ is often used as an umbrella term to represent a wide range of identities, which can lead to oversimplification and misrepresentation, conflating sex, gender, and sexuality into one discrete category. For instance, "Lesbian," "Gay," and "Bisexual" specifically refer to sexual identities, focusing on "sexuality," even though "gender identity" is also implicitly present in these terms. Bailey delves into the gender categories within ballroom culture with specific terminology, but for the purposes of this article, the discussion will integrate these categories into a broader context. "Transgender," whether MTF (male-to-female) or FTM (female-to-male), refers solely to gender identity. However, it also implicitly includes individuals who undergo sex changes through hormone treatments or other medical interventions. He also asserts that gender system within the ballroom culture is a misnomer, where sexuality is implicitly assigned for each category. 

Widely spread, the term LGBTQ+ in above examinations showcases its ineffectiveness in distinguishing sex, gender, and sexuality, may unintentionally leading to misconception. In the following section, their separate meanings (with subcategories presented) and interconnected relationships will be presented.

Definitions and Subcategories

Sex

Sex refers to the biological characteristics that define humans as male, female, or intersex. These characteristics include chromosomes, hormone levels, and reproductive/sexual anatomy (Muehlenhard & Peterson, 2011). There are three subcategories, including Male, Female, and Intersex (a person born with both male and female or

indeterminate genitalia). It is meaningful to mention that in broader heteronormative society, one’s sex assigned at birth is believed to be coincident with their gender.  That said, sex In Ballroom Culture, a subculture initiated by Latino and African American queer folks, is considered to be an ongoing process where body modification takes place, a notion as opposed to the conventional meaning of sex that is stagnant (Marlon M. Bailey, 2013). 

Gender

Gender refers to the roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women. It is a social and psychological construct that can vary across different cultures and time periods (Bussey, 2011). The subcategories range from Cisgender (Men/Woman), Transgender(MTF/FTM), Non-binary, to Genderqueer. For example, in some Indigenous cultures, there are recognized gender roles beyond the male-female binary, such as the Two-Spirit identity in many Native American tribes, which encompasses a variety of gender expressions and roles within the community. It is important to note that gender identity refers to an individual's internal, deep-rooted sense of his or her own gender, while gender expression refers to how a person communicates their gender through appearance, mannerisms, and clothing. Gender expression might not necessarily reflect one’s gender identity. Thinking about a case: a biologically assigned male who identifies himself as a transgender (MTF) can have gender expression of shaping a masculine image. 

Marlon M. Bailey (2013) asserts that gender categories, particularly in the context of ballroom culture, are socially and culturally produced and imposed on bodies and people, rather than being biologically inherent. Bailey's work highlights how ballroom culture uses specific terms like "Butch Queen" and "Femme Queen" to describe gender identities and performances that challenge traditional binary notions of gender. These terms reflect the fluid and performative nature of gender within the ballroom community, emphasizing that gender is constructed through social practices and cultural norms.

Sexuality

Sexuality refers to a person's sexual orientation or preference. It encompasses the patterns of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to others (Muehlenhard & Peterson, 2011). The subcategories encompass Heterosexual(Straight), Homosexual (Gay/Lesbian), Bisexual, Asexual, and Pansexual. 

Relationships and Interconnections

Sex and Gender

The relationship between sex and gender is complex and multifaceted. While sex is biologically determined, gender is a social and psychological construct. An individual's gender identity may align with or differ from their biological sex. For instance, a person assigned female at birth may identify as male or non-binary, highlighting the distinction between biological sex and gender identity (Bussey, 2011). Furthermore, the term Cisgender and Transgender, though categorized into the notion of gender, still implies whether one’s sex is in align with his/her gender identity with cisgender in align while transgender in discord. 

Gender and Sexuality

Gender and sexuality are distinct yet interconnected aspects of identity. Gender identity relates to an individual's sense of self as male, female, or somewhere along the gender spectrum, while sexuality pertains to whom they are attracted to. These aspects can influence each other but are not determinative; for example, a transgender person can be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, etc. (Muehlenhard & Peterson, 2011).

In a broad sense, gender does not necessarily intertwine with sexuality. For instance, a cisgender woman might identify as bisexual, indicating her sexual orientation, which is separate from her gender identity. Similarly, a non-binary individual could be attracted to people of various genders, demonstrating the distinct nature of gender and sexuality. However, in ballroom culture, the distinctions between gender and sexuality can be more fluid and intertwined. Marlon M. Bailey (2013) discusses how gender categories within ballroom culture often encompass sexual identity. For example, terms like “Butch Queen” refer to gay men who perform in a masculine manner, while “Femme Queen” describes transgender women who embrace feminine gender expressions who may have various sexual identity. These terms illustrate how ballroom culture integrates both gender performance and sexual identity, creating a unique framework where the two aspects are deeply interconnected.

Reflection on the Concept of “Armed Helicopter”

The term "armed helicopter" is often used satirically to critique discussions around gender identity. It mocks the idea of self-identification by suggesting absurd identities, thereby undermining the legitimacy of genuine gender identities. This satire highlights the need for sensitivity and respect in gender identity discourse. Dismissing or trivializing self-identification can perpetuate stigma and invalidate the experiences of those who identify outside traditional gender norms.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinctions between sex, gender, and sexuality is essential for accurate representation and respectful discourse. Misrepresentation and oversimplification in broad categorizations like LGBTQ+ can lead to harmful stereotypes and misunderstandings. By clearly defining these terms and exploring their interconnections, we can foster a more inclusive and respectful environment for diverse identities. Respectful and accurate representation within the LGBTQ+ community is crucial for promoting acceptance and understanding.

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Reference:

Bussey, K. (2011). Gender Identity Development. In Springer eBooks (pp. 603–628). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7988-9_25

Muehlenhard, C. L., & Peterson, Z. D. (2011). Distinguishing between sex and Gender: history, current conceptualizations, and implications. Sex Roles, 64(11–12), 791–803. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-011-9932-5

Bailey, Marlon M. Butch Queens up in Pumps: Gender, Performance, and Ballroom Culture in Detroit. University of Michigan Press, 2013.

Pryzgoda, J., & Chrisler, J. C. (2000). Definitions of gender and sex: The subtleties of meaning. Sex Roles, 43(7-8), 553-569. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007123617632