What's the Difference Between Sex, Gender, and Sexuality: Join Paid Zoom Study| Earn $75
- Jaime P. Morales
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 17
Breaking Down the Differences Between Sex, Gender and Sexuality
In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion about what sex actually is. However, many people still struggle to understand the differences between sex, gender, and sexuality. In this piece, we’re going to break down those differences in a clear and respectful way, without judgment or making anyone feel "dumb" for not already knowing.
Our goal is to highlight some key concepts and help you better understand them. For example, one important point is that we all start off with a similar developmental blueprint in the womb, which is why everyone, regardless of sex, has nipples.
What Does Sex Mean?
Sex refers to the biological characteristics that define people as male, female, or intersex. These characteristics include things like chromosomes (XX or XY), hormones (like estrogen or testosterone), and reproductive organs (such as ovaries or testes).
Most people are born either male or female, but some are born intersex, which means their bodies don’t fit the typical definitions of male or female.
This can show up in different ways, like a mix of chromosomes or reproductive traits. Sex is assigned at birth based on what doctors observe, but it’s important to remember that nature doesn’t always fit into neat categories. This is an excellent video that clearly explains how the penis and vagina develop during fetal growth.
What Does Gender Mean?
Gender refers to the roles, behaviors, and identities that society considers appropriate for people based on their perceived sex. While many people identify as male or female in line with their sex assigned at birth, others may identify as nonbinary, genderqueer, or something else entirely.
Gender is not just about biology, it’s about how someone feels and sees themselves, as well as how they choose to express that identity through things like clothing, behavior, and language. It can be different from a person’s assigned sex, and it can change over time.
Gender is shaped by culture, personal experience, and individual identity, making it a more flexible and personal concept than sex.
What Does Sexuality Mean?
Sexuality is about who you are emotionally, romantically, and physically attracted to. It’s a part of who you are and can include identities like straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, pansexual, and more.
Some people know their sexuality from a young age, while others may take time to understand it, and that’s completely okay. Just like gender, sexuality exists on a spectrum and can be fluid, meaning it might change over time.
It’s a deeply personal part of each person’s identity and doesn’t have to fit into a specific label unless someone wants it to.
A book that helped me understand sex, sexuality, and gender
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Study Is Closed as of 17-Jun-2025
Stay tuned for future studies
Main Reason for the Study:
To better understand stress, health habits, and how to reduce the risk of heart disease in transgender and gender diverse adults (ages 35–64).
Key Points:
Focus: Study looks at stress, how people manage it, and health behaviors linked to heart disease.
Who Can Join: Transgender and gender diverse adults between 35 and 64 years old.
What You’ll Do:
One 1-hour Zoom session
Includes a questionnaire and interview with a researcher
What You Get: A $75 electronic gift card for participating
Goal: To learn what kind of programs or support would help reduce heart disease risk in this community
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