Know more about LGBT+

Understanding sex

“Sex” in daily life usually refers to “biologicalsex”only. A person is distinguished as a male or a female by differences of physical features including their sex chromosomes (an individual’s chromosomes can be a combination of XY, XX or others), hormonal systems (oestrogen or testosterone) or sex characteristics (gonads, uteri,vulvas, vaginas, penises and testicles).

In recent years, “sex”, in a broader sense, also includes “gender” which is an understanding of sex from a social perspective. In contrast to the physical sex which originated in biology, gender is constructed socially and culturally. It refers to the social and cultural expectations on qualities of a particular physical sex.

References:
SUEN, Y. T., Chan, R. C. H, and Wong, M. Y. (2016a) Mental Health of Transgender People in Hong Kong. Transgender Resource Center Hong Kong.SUEN, Y. T., Wong, A. W. C, Barrow, A., Wong, M. Y., Mak, W. S., Choi, P. K., Lam, C. M., Lau, T. F. (2016b). Study on Legislation against Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status. Hong Kong Equal Opportunities Commission.Sources:The Genderbread Person. Retrieved from https://www.genderbread.org/. (Accessed on 8 February 2021.)

Let' s know more about LGBT+

  • There are people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identity beyond heterosexuals and homosexuals. Each letter in “LGBT+” stands for a specific group of sexual minority people. From the 1970s, these groups have been standing out in the equality movements. You can find out a story behind each letter which tells their efforts in getting to be seen, be heard and be recognised.
  • LGBT+ is not a label. It represents the dynamics in sexual orientations and gender identity. We will discover the beauty and fun of the diverse world if we try to know, accept and respect the people who are different from us.
  • Lesbians [sexual orientation]

    1. Physical sex: female or others, such as transgender and intersex
    2. Example of a transgender who is lesbian: The physical sex of A is male, but A identifies her gender as a female and is sexually or romantically attracted to women. In this case, A can claim to be a lesbian.
    3. Gender identity: female, woman
    4. Sexual orientation: sexually and/or romantically attracted to women
    5. Gender : any

  • Gay [sexual orientation]

    Physical sex: male or others, such as transgender and intersex

    Example of a transgender who is gay: The physical sex of B is female, but B identifies his gender as male and is sexually or romantically attracted to men. In this case, B can claim to be a gay.

    Gender identity: male, man

    Sexual orientation: sexually and/or romantically attracted to men

    Gender : any

  • Bisexual [sexual orientation]

    Physical sex: male, female or others, such as transgender and intersex

    Gender identity: male/man or female/woman

    Sexual orientation: sexually and/or romantically attracted to people with the same sex / the opposite sex

    Gender : any

  • Transgender [sex and gender identity]

    Physical sex: male, female or both/others

    Gender identity: transgender (the gender identity does not align with the physical sex at birth)

    Sexual orientation: any

    Gender : usually aligns with the gender identity

     

    Tips: Transgenders are those whose “gender identity” does not match “the assigned sex at birth”. A person’s “sexual orientation”, referring to “an attraction to people with particular sex(es)”, is different from “gender identity”. Therefore, transgenders can have their own and unique sexual orientation. The sexual orientation they have will not be contradictory to their gender identity in any case.

  • Queer / Questioning [sexual orientation or gender identity]

    Physical sex: male, female or others, such as transgender and intersex

    Gender identity: self-defined / still being explored

    Sexual orientation: sexually and/or romantically attracted to anyone, or still exploring sexual orientation

    Gender identity: any

  • Intersex [gender]

    Physical sex: having both male and female sex characteristics

    Gender identity: being explored during their growth, but can be left undefined in the end

    Sexual orientation: explore to whom they are sexually and/or romantically attracted during their growth, but they can remain the sexual orientation undefined in the end

    Gender : any

  • Asexual [sexual orientation]

    Physical sex: any

    Gender identity: any

    Sexual orientation: almost or completely not attracted to anyone sexually

    Gender : any

Myths / FAQ

  • Can sexual orientation / gender identity be changed?

    A: in the 1990s, the World Health Organization announced that homosexuality was no longer regarded as a disease, so there was no need to treat or change homosexuals. Gender identity is the self-identity of each person to his or her own gender. Influenced by subjective factors, personal psychology and social and cultural requirements for gender, it will appear differently in different social environments, so there is no need to change it. "Obstinate treatment" has been popular in the past, but studies have pointed out that this treatment can bring great emotional trauma and unnecessary mental stress to the client, or cause serious depression and suicidal tendency.

  • A couple of lesbian partners, must be a long hair, a short hair?
  • Are gay men very feminine?
  • Are bisexuals promiscuous?
  • Cross sex people must be heterosexual?
  • Can't asexual relationships be dated or have sex?