Lecture on Sexuality and Gender

Introduction

• Recent findings have changed perspectives on sexuality and gender.
• Modern youth are developing a prejudice-free understanding.
• 80% of US schools fail government standards for sex education.
• Results in ignorance and mistreatment of trans and gender non-conforming individuals.

Sex

• Defined by biological characteristics: genitals, secondary sex characteristics, body hair, hip width, hairlines, and chromosomal makeup.
• Typical chromosomal combinations: male (XY) and female (XX).
• Intersex: A contrast between biological makeup and secondary sex characteristics, not fitting typical male/female classifications.

Gender

• Gender as a social construct.
• Two main components of gender:
  1. Gender Identity: Personal understanding and interpretation of gender.
  2. Gender Expression: Demonstration through behaviors, mannerisms, and dress.
• Societal expectations and stereotypes often align with sex characteristics.
• Transgender: Identifying with a gender different from the one assigned at birth.
• Non-binary/Genderqueer: Not identifying strictly as male or female.

Orientation

• Relates to attraction towards certain sex-gender combinations.
• Heterosexual: Attraction to the opposite gender.
• Homosexual: Attraction to the same gender.
• Bisexual: Attraction to both genders.
• Pansexual: Attraction regardless of sex/gender presentation.
• Attraction is innate and subconscious, not a choice.
• Sexuality is complex and vast.

Conclusion

• Basic definitions provided; more detailed understanding is available.
• Psych2Go offers more resources on LGBTQ topics.

Community Engagement

• Encouragement to share opinions in comments and subscribe for more content.
• Support for Psych2Go by purchasing a bracelet from their partner, Introvert Palace.
  • Features a design including Pluto.

Final Note

• A thank you from Psych2Go for community support and a vision to make psychology accessible.