A Gender Primer

[Natasha]

A Gender Primer

http://www.bilerico.com/2008/11/a_gender_primer.php
Michele O'Mara
November 19, 2008 5:00 PM

Editors' Note: With Transgender Day of Remembrance coming up, it seemed appropriate to re-post Michele O'Mara's great primer on gender from last year. She works with transgender clients in her private practice.

What is gender identity?

Gender identity occurs from the neck up. Biological sex is defined from the neck down. Our gender is the self-defined recognition of our selves as either male, female, or some combination of characteristics from both. Gender is a term which reflects our "social" self, rather than our biological self. Our gender does not, in fact, always match our biological markings as "male" or "female."