Language and Definitions: A Guide to the First Amendment for LGBTQ+ Youth in Delaware

is associated with our physical anatomy and is typically assigned at birth. Sex can correlate to genitals, levels of hormones, chromosomes, and other physical aspects. Sex is often defined as unchangeable and binary, when it is neither of those things.

describes a variety of anatomical traits with which a person is born that don’t fit the typical categories of “female” or “male.” It is estimated that up to 1.7% of the U.S. population has an intersex trait. Some doctors perform surgeries on intersex babies’ and children’s reproductive or sexual anatomy to make their bodies fit binary categories of “male” or “female,” but these procedures are becoming increasingly controversial, as they usually have no medical benefit.

a personal identifier that best describes who you may be attracted to sexually, emotionally, intellectually, or romantically at that current period of time. Some common terms that are associated with sexuality are lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, queer, and many other different identities as well. 

a word that describes sex, sexuality, and gender other than straight and cisgender. 

refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender diverse people. It influences how people perceive themselves and each other, how they act and interact, and the distribution of power and resources in society. Gender is not confined to a binary (girl/woman, boy/man) nor is it static; it exists along a continuum and can change over time.

A term for people whose gender aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.

A term which refers to the societal or cultural belief that there are only two categories of gender: men and women.

Non-binary is an identity embraced by some people who do not identify exclusively as a boy/man or a girl/woman. Non-binary people may identify as being both a man and a woman, somewhere in between or as falling completely outside of these categories. While many also identify as transgender, not all non-binary people do.

Describes a person whose gender is different from what is generally considered typical for their sex assigned at birth. Note: This term is an adjective. Using this term as a verb (i.e., transgendered) or noun (i.e., transgenders) is offensive and should be avoided.

Gender Diversity refers to the extent to which a person’s gender, role, or expression differs from the cultural norms prescribed for people of a particular sex. Includes non-binary people.

The process through which transgender people begin to live as the gender with which they identify, rather than the one typically associated with their sex assigned at birth. Social transition may include things such as changing names, pronouns, hairstyle and clothing. Medical transition may include hormone therapy and gender affirming surgeries. Not all transgender individuals seek medical care as part of their transition or have access to it.

A GSA is a non-curricular student-led club for students with a shared interest in LGBTQ+ issues. These organizations provide a safe, supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth and their allies. If your public school permits other student clubs, then it should allow you to form and publicize a GSA.