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Gender

Biological sex describes a person’s genetic, physical, and chromosomal constitution. Depending on its characteristics, biological sex is categorized as female, male, or intersex.

Intersex is a medical term used when physical traits cannot be clearly classified as male or female, or when features of both sexes are present.

In line with biological sex, since 2019, official identification documents in Germany can list gender as male, female, diverse, or without specification, based on the Personal Status Act.

The category of social gender, also referred to as gender identity or simply gender, is socially constructed. This means it is not based on any biological essence and is shaped differently depending on culture, religion, generation, or moral and value-based beliefs. For example, gender-specific traits, preferences, and abilities are influenced by societal gender roles and are therefore independent of biological sex.

A person’s individual gender identity is not necessarily visible from the outside. In addition to the most well-known and widely accepted gender identities, “woman” and “man,” there are many others: from “non-binary” and “genderqueer” to “genderfluid,” “agender,” and “polygender.”

Depending on their gender identity, people also choose their pronouns, how they wish to be addressed. Examples of pronouns include “she,” “he,” “xier,” “ey,” “dey,” or “sier.” It’s important to remember: adjusting takes time, and asking questions is absolutely okay.

Sources:

https://www.hrweb.at/2022/01/xier-gender-pronomen/
https://www.liebesleben.de/fuer-alle/geschlechtsidentitaet/geschlechtsidentitaet-und-geschlechtliche-vielfalt/
https://www.liebesleben.de/fuer-alle/geschlechtsidentitaet/trans/
https://genderdings.de/gender/
https://www.feel-ok.ch/de_CH/jugendliche/themen/queer/lgbt/kurzfassung/kurzfassung.cfm

here is another distinction within gender identity: between trans and cis. Cis, or cisgender, refers to people whose social gender aligns with their biological sex. Trans, or transgender, means that the gender assigned at birth or perceived by others does not match a person’s own sense of gender. For example, someone may identify as a woman but be perceived by others as a man.

Some trans individuals choose to change their name and appearance or undergo gender-affirming procedures. Inter individuals can also be either trans or cisgender.

Since 2006, trans people in Germany have been protected from discrimination based on gender under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG). The Self-Determination Act, which came into effect on November 1, 2024, also allows trans, intersex, and non-binary individuals in Germany to more easily change their first name and registered gender at the civil registry.

Sources:

https://www.liebesleben.de/fuer-alle/geschlechtsidentitaet/trans/
https://genderdings.de/gender/geschlechtsidentitaet/
https://www.liebesleben.de/fuer-alle/geschlechtsidentitaet/inter/
https://www.liebesleben.de/fuer-alle/geschlechtsidentitaet/diskriminierung-geschlecht/
https://gegen-antifeminismus.de/trans-menschen-als-bedrohung-fuer-frauenrechte/

Gender expression refers to how individuals outwardly express their gender identity. Through hairstyle, clothing, manner of speaking, behavior, personal interests, or preferences. Because gender expression is visible and audible, it evokes associations with one or more genders in the eyes of others. What traits are perceived as masculine or feminine is shaped by culture and constantly evolves over time.

Both cis and trans individuals may choose to behave and dress in ways that make them clearly perceived as women or men. Others may not wish to do so, or only partially. This is often seen as a deviation from the norm and can lead to confusion or discomfort. People who do not fit neatly into familiar gender categories frequently face discrimination and violence.

As diverse gender identities gain greater recognition and appreciation, our society’s binary understanding of gender is shifting. This opens up new possibilities for expressing one’s gender freely while being socially accepted, an essential part of personal development and self-realization.

Sources:

https://genderdings.de/gender/geschlechterrollen/
https://www.feel-ok.ch/de_CH/jugendliche/themen/queer/lgbt/koerperliches_geschlecht_geschlechtsidentitaet_geschlechtsausdruck/lgbtqia/geschlechtsausdruck.cfm
https://www.regenbogenportal.de/informationen/geschlechtsidentitaet-und-ausdruck

Die sexuelle Orientierung einer Person bestimmt, wen sie attraktiv und begehrenswert findet. Sie ist nicht festgeschrieben, sondern kann sich im Laufe des Lebens immer wieder verändern. Dabei spielt es keine Rolle, ob die Person cis* oder trans* ist. Neben heterosexuell (Begehren eines anderen Geschlechts) können Menschen auch asexuell (ohne Begehren), bisexuell (Begehren mehrerer Geschlechter), homosexuell (Begehren des gleichen Geschlechts) oder pansexuell (Begehren unabhängig vom Geschlecht) sein.

Als Abkürzung für Personen, die hinsichtlich ihres sozialen oder biologischen Geschlechts oder der sexuellen Orientierung nicht der heterosexuellen ‚Norm‘ oder dem binären Geschlechterverständnis entsprechen, wird oft die Abkürzung LGBTQIA+ verwendet.

Quellen:

Kappler, K. (2019): Die Verfolgungen wegen der sexuellen Orientierung und der Geschlechtsidentität als Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit. Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft.
https://www.liebesleben.de/fuer-alle/sexuelle-orientierung/
https://www.liebesleben.de/fuer-alle/sexuelle-orientierung/vorurteile-rund-um-die-sexuelle-orientierung/
https://www.liebesleben.de/fuer-alle/sexuelle-orientierung/diskriminierung-und-sexuelle-orientierung/