SAIS Initiative terminology

What does the terminology used by SAIS Initiative mean?

Terms related to Gender

Gender identity	Gender identity is the way a person thinks about themselves in gendered terms. It refers to a person’s sense of being a man, a woman, or both or neither. A person’s gender identity may or may not relate to the person’s biological or legal sex.
Gender presentation	Gender presentation refers to the way a person chooses to present themselves to the world in gendered terms – as masculine, feminine, both or neither. We all choose ways to express our gender identity – including through our choice of clothes, hairstyles, mannerisms.
Gender diverse	Gender diverse is a broad term that describes people whose gender identity and/or presentation is not adequately described by traditional stereotypes. Some gender diverse people identify themselves with a variety of different terminology including but not limited to: trans, transgender, genderqueer or gender questioning.

Terms related to biological sex characteristics

Intersex/intersex status

Intersex is broad term that describes people who are born with natural variations in biological sex characteristics. This can include chromosomal, hormonal, genital and other physical characteristics that differ from stereotypical notions of female and male biology.

Terms related to sexuality

Sexual orientation

Sexual orientation refers to the way people experience romantic or sexual attraction. It includes people who are attracted solely to members of the opposite sex (heterosexual), people who are attracted solely to those of the same sex (homosexual, same-sex attracted), people who experience a more fluid sexual attraction (bisexual, pansexual), and people who experience no sexual attraction (asexual).

Same sex attracted

Same sex attracted is a broad term that describes people whose romantic or sexual attraction includes those of the same sex. People who are same sex attracted might identify themselves with a variety of different terminology including but not limited to: homosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, queer. The term can also include people who are questioning their sexuality, or who identify as heterosexual but also feel romantic or sexual attraction to members of the same sex.