What’s the Difference Between Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex?
Sophie Mason
January 2025
The idea of there being only two genders—male and female—actually started in Western society around the 18th century, when rigid gender roles were tied to social, religious, and cultural expectations. But many other cultures across history have widely accepted the concept of more than two genders. For example, Indigenous cultures in North America recognize Two-Spirit people, and in South Asia, hijras have been part of the cultural fabric for centuries.
Here’s the key: gender and sex are not the same thing. If that feels confusing, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Let’s break it down so it’s simple and easy to understand.
Sex: What You’re Assigned at Birth
Let’s start with sex, sometimes called sex assigned at birth or biological sex. This refers to the physical characteristics you’re born with—things like reproductive organs, hormones, and chromosomes (the X and Y ones you might remember from biology class).
Typically, a baby is assigned male or female at birth based on visible anatomy.
In some cases, a baby may be born with a mix of characteristics, which is known as being intersex.
Sex chromosomes play a big role in this assignment:
XX chromosomes are typically associated with female bodies.
XY chromosomes are typically associated with male bodies.
But here’s the thing: sex is more complicated than just these two letters. Hormones, anatomy, and even how chromosomes express themselves can vary widely, so sex isn’t always as straightforward as people think.

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Gender Identity: Who You Are Inside
Gender identity is about how you feel inside—your own, deeply personal sense of your gender. It’s not about what’s visible or what someone else tells you; it’s about what feels true to you.
Some people identify as male or female, which are often referred to as the binary genders.
Others may identify as nonbinary, meaning they don’t fit neatly into “male” or “female” categories.
Some people use terms like genderqueer, genderfluid, or agender to describe themselves.
What’s important to remember is that gender identity is personal and individual. It’s who you are, regardless of the sex you were assigned at birth or how you look on the outside.
Gender Expression: How You Show Who You Are
Now, let’s talk about gender expression, which is how you present your gender to the world. This includes things like:
Clothing
Hairstyles
The way you speak or move
For example:
Someone might identify as a man (gender identity) and wear suits and have a beard (gender expression).
Another person might identify as nonbinary (gender identity) and enjoy wearing makeup and baggy jeans (gender expression).
Here’s the fun part: gender expression doesn’t have to match gender identity or societal expectations. A woman can wear a tie, a man can wear eyeliner, and anyone can mix and match however they like!

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What’s the Difference Between Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex?
How Are These Concepts Connected?
Here’s a way to think about it:
Sex is what you’re born with.
Gender identity is who you are.
Gender expression is how you show who you are.
While these concepts are connected, they don’t always align in the ways people expect. For instance:
A person assigned female at birth (sex) might identify as male (gender identity) and present in a masculine way (gender expression).
Or someone might be assigned male at birth, identify as nonbinary, and have a mix of masculine and feminine expressions.
What matters is respecting and honoring how someone identifies and expresses themselves.
Why It’s Important to Understand the Difference
Understanding these terms helps us build a world that’s more inclusive and respectful. It means we can:
Use the correct pronouns and language for people.
Support loved ones who might be exploring their gender.
Challenge outdated stereotypes about what it means to be “male” or “female.”
It’s also worth noting that gender diversity has existed throughout history and across cultures, even if it hasn’t always been recognized or understood in the same way it is today.
Final Thoughts
Gender identity, gender expression, and sex are all parts of what make us human, but they don’t define our worth or who we can be. Whether you’re learning for yourself or someone else, the most important thing you can do is approach the topic with kindness, curiosity, and an open mind.
So, if someone shares their gender identity or expression with you, listen and support them—it’s as simple as that.