Pride Month is a celebration of the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum, yet many people still confuse terms like gender identity and sexual orientation. Understanding the difference is key to being a better ally and creating inclusive spaces.
Gender identity is how someone sees themselves internally — male, female, both, neither, or somewhere in between. Sexual orientation, on the other hand, refers to who someone is romantically or sexually attracted to. A person can be transgender and gay, non-binary and asexual, or cisgender and bisexual — these identities intersect in diverse ways.
This distinction is crucial because different identities face different challenges. Trans and non-binary people often deal with issues like misgendering, lack of legal recognition, and barriers to healthcare that may not affect cisgender LGB individuals. Lumping everyone together can unintentionally erase these unique experiences.
Pride Month is the perfect time to educate ourselves and others about the beautiful diversity within the LGBTQ+ community. Knowledge fuels empathy — and empathy fuels change.
Kanishka