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This is a brief explanation of sex assigned at birth and gender identity. It’s essential to recognize that both are fundamental aspects of who we are, and both are important. They coexist.

What is Sex Assigned at Birth?

When we are born, a doctor typically examines our anatomy and assigns us a sex. This is our sex assigned at birth, which is ultimately determined by a combination of anatomical characteristics like chromosomes, hormones, internal reproductive organs, and external anatomy. The classifications commonly used for sex assigned at birth are –

Male – An individual assigned male based on anatomical characteristics.

Female – An individual assigned female at birth based on anatomical characteristics.

Intersex – Refers to a range of natural bodily variations where a person’s sex characteristics (like genitals, organs, or chromosomes) don’t fit typical male or female definitions. Intersex is not a third gender but rather a category that includes various conditions. These traits may not be obvious at birth and can emerge later.

An individual’s sex assigned at birth is an important piece of medical data. For instance, it’s advised that individuals over 50 who were assigned male at birth consult their doctor about the need for a prostate exam. Receiving comprehensive medical care includes recognizing your sex assigned at birth, as it can provide important context for specific health needs.

What is Gender Identity?

While sex assigned at birth is based on our anatomical characteristics, each of us also has a gender identity, which is how we see ourselves and interact with the world. Here are a few examples of gender identity –

Cisgender – Individuals who identify with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Transgender – Individuals who identify differently from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Nonbinary – Individuals whose gender identity exists outside of the male-female gender binary*. The nonbinary umbrella includes a wide range of identities, such as agender, genderfluid, and Two-Spirit, among others.

Gender is a social construct influenced by societal norms and personal experiences. A person’s gender identity is a deeply personal and fundamental aspect of who they are. It reflects their true sense of self, regardless of the sex they were assigned at birth, and deserves to be respected and acknowledged. Respecting a person’s gender identity creates a supportive environment where they can be their authentic self. It’s essential for creating equitable and inclusive spaces.

Respecting a person means respecting their gender identity.

So, we each have both?

We each* have both a sex assigned at birth and a gender identity. For some, these align, while for others, they do not. One doesn’t invalidate the other. Sex assigned at birth and gender identity coexist simultaneously and independently, each contributing uniquely to an individual’s sense of self.

I hope this helps.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Banks (they/she)

*The male-female gender binary is the idea that there are only two genders – male and female. It assumes everyone is either one or the other, based on their sex assigned at birth. This way of thinking can exclude or overlook people who don’t fit neatly into these two categories, like nonbinary or gender-nonconforming individuals.

*For some intersex individuals, the concept of sex assigned at birth may be more complex or not as straightforward.

This is an LGBTQIA2S+ peer-reviewed document.

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