Gender Expression and Identity
According to the HRC (Human Rights Campaign), gender expression and gender identity are similar and separate terms.
Gender Identity: One's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither. One's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.
Gender expression: External appearance of one's gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, haircut or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.
Sexual Orientation is romantic or sexual attraction to other people, and is not necessarily directly linked to gender.
Did you know?
- Employment: 35,000 2SLGBTQIA+ workers in NH, that’s 5%, with a total population of 59,000. Those numbers are nearly identical in Maine. Both states have high ratings as a 2SLGBTQIA+ supportive place to live and work.
- Legislation: On November 8, 2005, after nearly three decades of working to pass non-discrimination protections for 2SLGBTQIA+ Mainers, Maine became the 16th state to protect 2SLGBTQIA+ people from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression in employment, housing, education, credit and public accommodations. Maine is the sixth state whose law includes gender identity and expression. These protections were enacted by amending the Maine Human Rights Act. NH has enacted similar law.
- Healthcare: Typically 2SLGBTQIA+ folks seek health care from providers who provide gender affirming care, and recognize the broad spectrum of sexual and gender identities and the variety of health care needs specific to each individual. Equality Health Center (Concord, NH) and Maine Family Planning (multiple locations) are examples of organizations that provide gender-affirming healthcare for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and families.
- Public Accommodations (including gyms, yoga studios, places of business, and recreation): NH & ME state laws make it illegal for places of public accommodation to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or “. . . in any manner withhold from or deny the full and equal enjoyment . . . of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, services or privileges of public accommodation.”
YiA and Gender Expression and Identity
This topic matters because our language, imaging, and actions are important in terms of who feels welcome at any class, workshop, training, or association to YiA.
Sources
https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/profile_state/NH
https://www.equalitymaine.org/our-story
https://mainefamilyplanning.org/our-services/lgbtq-healthcare/
https://www.equalityhc.org/lgbtq-health.html
http://www.glad.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/me-lgbt-overview.pdf
*References on the Yoga in Action website represent a variety of perspectives & sources. They are provided for informational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Yoga in Action.*