Identity ≠ Expression ≠ Sex
Four separate things people often mix up. Gender is not sexual orientation either. Start there, then explore each one below.
Gender is one of those things everyone thinks they understand, but most people don't. Gender isn't binary. It's not either/or. In many cases it's both/and. This little guide is an appetizer: it's okay to be hungry for more afterwards.
Drag the sliders to play. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere. ∅ means a lack of what is on the right.
How you, in your head, experience and define your gender, based on how much you align (or don't align) with what you understand the options for gender to be.
Commonly associated: personality traits, jobs, hobbies, likes, dislikes, roles, expectations
How you present gender (through your actions, clothing and demeanour, to name a few), and how those presentations are viewed based on social expectations.
Commonly associated: style, grooming, clothing, mannerisms, affect, appearance, hair, make-up
The physical traits you're born with or develop that we think of as sex characteristics, as well as the sex you are assigned at birth.
Commonly associated: body hair, chest, hips, shoulders, hormones, penis, vulva, chromosomes, voice pitch
Sex assigned at birth
Typically based solely on external genitalia present at birth (ignoring internal anatomy, biology and change throughout life), it is key for telling apart "cisgender" (when it aligns with gender identity) and "transgender" (when it doesn't).
Anatomical sex (the body now)
How you find yourself feeling drawn (or not drawn) to some other people, in sexual, romantic and/or other ways (often categorized within gender). a/o means and/or.
Download the original v4 poster, all versions (PDF, English, by Sam Killermann)
Hijra, kinnar, aravani and jogappa communities have existed here for centuries. In 2014 the Supreme Court (NALSA) affirmed the right to self-identify one's gender, and in 2018 it decriminalised same-sex relations (Navtej Singh Johar). The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act came in 2019.
Links lead to independent organisations we do not control. If you are in crisis, contact a local emergency service or a trusted person.
Genderbread.com makes the Genderbread Person easier to reach in Indian languages and Indian context. We start with English and Hindi, and plan to add more. It is an independent adaptation, not affiliated with or endorsed by the original creator.
The Genderbread Person was created by Sam Killermann. This site is based on version 4 (created 2017, published 2018) and its text. The original is released as uncopyrighted, but credit is owed and given here. Read the original post, buy his book and support his work.
Original post · Sam Killermann on Patreon · A Guide to Gender · genderbread.org
