Gender expression refers to the ways that people present theirgender identityto the world.
This may be through clothing, haircuts, behaviors, and other choices.
Buzz cuts, for example, are seen as masculine hairstyles, while wearing dresses is seen as feminine.
Tassii / Getty Images
This expression may vary from what might be expected of one’s gender identity.
For example, acisgenderwoman may have a very masculine expression but still identify as a woman.
It also looks at discrimination on the basis of gender expression.
The Meaning of Gender Expression
Gender is a concept with many dimensions.
Gender expression, though, is something else.
For most people, gender expression affirms their gender identity.
Gender expression usually aligns with a person’s gender identity.
But it may be different from what the wider culture defines as masculine or feminine behavior.
People with feminine identities make these style and behavior choices in “feminine” ways.
Gender expression is very much a cultural construct.
That means there may be a shared social expectation about gender.
Some transgender people use a highly feminine or masculine expression to address theirgender dysphoria.
But it can affect access to and quality of health care.
This is true for transgender people, but also for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals.
It’s also true for people with a gender expression that is not what their provider expects.
This simple act invites the patient to share their own without putting anyone on the spot.
“It included those with different gender expressions.
Some 30% of respondents feared health workers would treat them differently because of their expression.
The report called for better training for health workers.
Blatant discrimination is not the only threat to some patients' gender expression.
Keep in mind that doctors do need to know a person’s sex that was assigned at birth.
Discrimination
Minority stresshas been shown to play an important role in health disparities.
Research suggests that gender expression is a part of the minority stress described by cisgender sexual minoritiesand gender minorities.
In 2012, however, Ontario, Canada,passed legislationthat forbids discrimination because of it.
Asimilar lawwas passed in New York in 2019, and other places have also passed protections.
Summary
Everyone has a gender expression.
But each person chooses how to present themselves to the world, and society views those choices as gendered.
A Word From Verywell
Gender expression is not always static.
It can change with time.
This is known asgender fluidity.
Some may present as highly masculine one day and highly feminine another.
This may or may not have anything to do with their gender identity.
YWCA West Michigan.Gender Policing.
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“You Don’t Want Second Best"Anti-LGBT Discrimination in US Health Care.
Lambda Legal.When health care isnt caring: Lambda Legals survey of discrimination against LGBT people and people with HIV.
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