GSELF SEXUAL SELF

• Sex


  refers to the biological characteristics that define humans as female or male.
• Gender


  a complex interrelationship between an individual's biological gender, gender identity, and gender expression
• Biological sex


  refers to the biological anatomy that is assigned at birth and determines whether an individual is male (has a penis), female (has a vagina), or intersex.
• Cisgender


  an individual who's sexual orientation, gender orientation/expression matches their biological sex assigned at birth.
• Gender Identity


  the sense of "being" a specific gender such as man, woman, genderqueer, agender, etc.
• Gender Expression


  the many ways in which an individual manifests femininity, masculinity, neither or both such as behavior speech, sexual preferences, clothing, etc.
• Gender Fluid


  a person who is able to manifest and adapt to various genders.
• Gender Binary


  the belief that there are only two genders: male and female.
• Gender Non-Conforming (GNC)


  a person whose presentation of their gender does not match the expectations associated with that gender.
• Gender Normative/ Gender Straight


  an individual whose biological sex matches their gender identity and expression. Also known as cisgender.
• Gender Role


  expectations, rules, behaviors, and roles given to males and females by society, such as masculine traits for males and feminine traits for females.
• Gender Queer


  an individual whose identity is outside what is generally accepted as part of the gender binary. They tend to view the dominant beliefs about sex, gender, and desire determined by society as problematic.
• Gender Variant


  a person who does not conform to the gender expectations of society by either choice or nature (e.g., transgender, transsexual, intersex, gender-queer, cross-dresser, etc.).
• Transgender


  an individual who presents themself and lives as a gender that does not correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth.
• Transman


  a label used by female-to-male transgender or transsexual individuals who indicate that they are male while still asserting their birth sex.
• Transwoman


  a label used by male-to-female transgender or transsexual individuals who indicate that they are female while still asserting their birth sex.
• Sexual Orientation


  how one feels drawn to other people in sexual or romantic ways; A person's romantic, sexual, emotional, or spiritual attraction to others based on gender (This does NOT define their sexual preference).
• Asexual


  the low level/ lack of sexual attraction to others and/or the lack of interest/desire for sex and sexual partners.
• Bisexual


  an individual sexually, emotionally and/or physically attracted to both men and women.
• Demisexual


  an individual who does not feel sexual attraction until they have formed a strong emotional connection with a partner (usually within a romantic relationship).
• Gay


  the term used to describe the emotional, physical, and/or sexual attraction between members of the same gender and usually used to describe identified men who are attracted to other identified men.
• Heterosexual


  an individual attracted emotionally, physically, and/or sexually to members of the opposite sex.
• Homosexual


  a person who is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to members of the same sex or gender.
• Lesbian


  a term used to describe identified women who are attracted emotionally, physically, and sexually to other identified women.
• Metrosexual


  a heterosexual man who spends more time, energy, and money on his appearance than what is considered gender normative.
• MSM/WSW


  stands for men "who have sex with men" and "women who have sex with women" to differentiate sexual behaviors from sexual identities.
• Mx


  alternative prefix for individuals who do not identify with either Mr. or Ms.
• Pansexual


  an individual who is physically, emotionally, and sexually attracted to all gender identities and expressions.
• Sexual Preference


  the types of sexual stimulation, gratification, and intercourse that an individual likes to receive and participate in.
• Sensuality


  the attractiveness, love, relationships, and enjoyment of the world through the five senses
• SOGIE


  an acronym that is mostly used to understand human sexuality
• Fluid(ity)


  Term used to describe an identity that shifts or changes over time (man and woman, bi and straight, etc.).
• Heteronormativity


  The belief by people and/or institutions that everyone is heterosexual and that heterosexuality is superior to all other sexualities.
• Heterosexism


  The behavior that gives preferential treatment to heterosexual individuals.
• Homophobia


  The fear, intolerance, resentment, discomfort, or hatred towards members of the LGBTQ community.
• Intersex


  An individual who is born with a combination of male and female gonads, hormones, internal sex organs, and genitals.
• LGBTQ/GSM/DSG


  stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, and Queer/ Gender Sexual Minorities/ Diverse Genders and Sexualities.
• Sexuality


  ...a central aspect of being human throughout life encompasses sex, gender identities, and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy, and reproduction. Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles and relationships.
• Sensuality, intimacy, identity, reproduction and sexual health, and sexualization.


  circles of sexuality break sexuality into five components:
• SENSUALITY


  Body image, our ability to allow ourselves pleasure, our need to be touched, and fantasizing all are part of the sensuality circle. We can feel attracted to someone's sense of humor, intelligence, charisma, or kindness; whether it is sexual or non-sexual