Gender and Sexuality
There are many different genders and sexualities and different people express theirs in different ways. You can learn more about them on this page.
Watch the Expression Australia video (external website) 'LGBTIQA in Auslan':
Note: This video intentionally does not have any sound.
Click the subtitles button in the bottom right hand corner of the video to turn closed captions on and off.
Assigned sex
When someone is born they are usually labelled as ‘male’, ‘female’ or ‘intersex’ based on things like their physical appearance or biological traits.
The word sex also refers to sexual intercourse. Learn more on the Sex and Consent page.
Female
People who have vaginas are usually assigned female at birth (AFAB).
Male
People who have a penis are usually assigned male or birth (AMAB).
Hormones
Hormones are chemicals inside people’s bodies. People with higher levels of oestrogen and progesterone are usually considered female, and people with higher levels of testosterone are usually considered male. Intersex people can have hormone levels that are atypical.
Tip: You can learn more about Intersex people on our page about Intersex variations (coming soon).
Gender
A person’s gender is not the same as their sex. Someone who is AMAB can be female, and vice-versa. A person’s gender depends on how much a person feels like a man, woman or something else.
What is gender?
A person’s gender is often judged on whether a person is AFAB or AMAB, as well as how masculine or feminine someone dresses, acts and talks. While a person’s gender is often thought of only as either male or female, there are many other genders identities. A person’s gender can also change.
Femininity refers to behaviours and roles that are traditionally considered female or expected of women. This could include caring for family or acting kindly. Things people wear, like dresses, high heels and make-up may also be considered feminine.
Masculinity refers to behaviours and roles that are traditionally considered manly, or expected of men. This could include being strong, doing physical work and wearing suits or heavy duty boots.
Note: A person's gender does not determine whether they are masculine or feminine. A male may do things or appear in ways that are thought of as feminine. A female may do things or appear in ways that are thought of as masculine.
Cis-gender
Cis-gender is a term for people whose gender matches their assigned sex. For example, a woman who was assigned female at birth is cis-gender.
Non-binary
Non-binary, gender queer, agender and bi-gender are terms for people who identify as neither a man nor a woman, or as both.
Gender fluid
A person who is gender fluid has a gender that changes over time and in different situations.
Transgender
A transgender person is someone that has a gender that is different to the sex that they were assigned at birth. For example, a transgender woman is a woman that was assigned male when they were born.
Tip: You can learn more about different genders and sexuality on the Rosie website (external link).
Sexuality
Someone’s sexuality is based on who they are sexually attracted to. There are many different types of sexuality. We have listed some common ones below.
Heterosexual
People who are heterosexual or ‘straight’ are attracted to a different gender than the one they identify with. For example, women who are attracted to men are heterosexual.
Homosexual, lesbian and gay
People, who are homosexual, lesbian or gay are attracted to the same gender that they identify with. For example, a man who is only attracted to other men is gay and a woman who is only attracted to other women is lesbian.
Bisexual
Bisexual people are attracted to different genders and the same gender that they identify with.
Asexual
People who are asexual are not sexually attracted to anyone of any gender. Asexual people can be romantically attracted to other people.
Pansexual
People who are pansexual can be attracted to people of any gender, male, female or other.
Queer
Some people find that a specific label does not properly represent their gender or sexuality and use the term queer to describe their gender and/or sexuality instead.
The term queer does not mean anything specific but implies that someone’s gender or sexuality is not heterosexual. It may also be used to refer to everyone who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or questioning, asexual and more (LGBTIQA+).
What is LGBTIQA+?
LGBTIQA+ is an acronym often used to refer to diverse genders and sexualities, or people who are not heterosexual or cis-gender. The letters stand for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or questioning, asexual and more.
People who are LGBTIQA+ often experience discrimination because some people consider them 'different'. There are laws in place to protect people from discrimination based on their gender and sexuality and variations of sex characteristics.
Learn more about your right to be free from discrimination in our section on Your rights.
Need support?
QLife provides anonymous and free support and referral for people wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Call 1800 184 527 or chat online (external link).
Mardi Gras
The Mardi Gras is a festival and parade held every year to celebrate LGBTIQA+ people and diverse sexualities and genders.
In Australia, the biggest and longest running Mardi Gras event is held in Sydney, New South Wales.
Each year, Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA), People with Disabilities Australia (PWDA) and other Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) support their LGBTIQA+ members to participate in the Mardi Gras. In 2019, the group had a float at the parade.
Tip: You can learn more about the Mardi Gras on the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras website (external link).