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.
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Lesbians [sexual orientation]
- Physical sex: female or others, such as transgender and intersex
- 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.
- Gender identity: female, woman
- Sexual orientation: sexually and/or romantically attracted to women
- Gender : any
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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Asexual [sexual orientation]
Physical sex: any
Gender identity: any
Sexual orientation: almost or completely not attracted to anyone sexually
Gender : any
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Myths / FAQ
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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.
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A couple of lesbian partners, must be a long hair, a short hair?
A: not necessarily. The length of hair belongs to personal preference. Aren't there many heterosexual women with short hair? Short hair can't tell you a person's sexuality. And the combination of lesbian partners can also be many yuan, temperament is not necessarily a masculine, a feminine.
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Are gay men very feminine?
A: everyone's gender can be very different. Even heterosexual men don't think everyone is as big as a soldier! There is no direct relationship between personal gender temperament and sexual orientation; however, it is precisely because the mainstream social culture (such as the media) describes gay men as feminine people that many people stereotype the image of gay men.
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Are bisexuals promiscuous?
A: sexual orientation is not directly related to the number of partners or loyalty to the relationship. Whether gay, bisexual or heterosexual, everyone can reach a consensus with their partner and develop different forms of relationship, such as one-on-one relationship or open relationship. Many people think that bisexuals like men and women at the same time, so they will have many partners or sexual partners at the same time. Bisexuals are sexually and / or romantically attracted to both sexes, but this does not mean that they must be attracted to more than one person at the same time. On the contrary, people with other sexual tendencies can have more than one partner at the same time.
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Cross sex people must be heterosexual?
A: some cross gender friends will think that if you are a cross child or a cross girl, their sexual tendency is also heterosexual. But don't worry, many cross gender people are gay. It is important to remember that gender identity has no inevitable relationship with sexual orientation, and the most important thing is to live out of the real self.
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Can't asexual relationships be dated or have sex?
A: asexuals are sexually almost or completely unattractive to anyone, so it is difficult for others to arouse their sexual desire. However, asexual people are still romantically attracted and can develop intimate relationships with others. They can also have sexual desire, masturbate or reach orgasm. And each asexual person is not sexually attracted to a different degree, either completely unattractive, but also can maintain a low sexual desire for a long time.
