gender, sexuality, masculine, feminine, androgynous, binary, non-binary, genderqueer, transgender, cisgender, transition, dysphoria, identity, expression, orientation, homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, queer, LGBTQ+, intersex, fluid, agender, bigender, genderfluid, gender-neutral, pronouns, misgender, deadname, polyamorous, monogamous, gender roles, patriarchy, matriarchy, feminism, equality, equity, inclusivity, heteronormativity, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, panphobia, gender spectrum, sexuality spectrum, spectrum, ally, advocate, pride, coming out, closet, heterosexism, discrimination, oppression, empowerment, representation, visibility, intersectionality, marginalisation, identity politics, safe space, gender studies, sexuality studies, heterosexual privilege, Queer Theory, binary normativity, gender fluidity, gender identity disorder, gender affirmation, sexual health, sexual rights, sexual liberation, non-conforming, third gender, gender variance, masculinity, femininity, gender reassignment, transgender rights, inclusive language, misogyny, misandry, gender dysphoria, sexual orientation, gender expression, Gender identity, LGBTQ+ community, gender norms, cultural gender norms, hegemonic masculinity, toxic masculinity, femme, butch, tomboy, genderqueer, Queer culture, sexual diversity, gender parity.
Definitions and Examples:
- Gender: The state of being male,
female, or non-binary, often based on societal and cultural roles.
- Example:
Ada identifies with a non-binary gender and prefers they/them pronouns.
- Sexuality: A person's capacity for
sexual feelings and their orientation.
- Example:
Chinedu discussed his sexuality openly, explaining that he is pansexual.
- Masculine: Qualities or attributes
regarded as characteristic of men.
- Example:
Despite his gentle demeanour, David was praised for his masculine
strength during the village wrestling competition.
- Feminine: Qualities or attributes
regarded as characteristic of women.
- Example:
Nkechi embraced her feminine side by wearing traditional gele headwraps.
- Androgynous: Partly male and partly female
in appearance; of indeterminate sex.
- Example:
Kemi's androgynous fashion sense often sparked conversations at the
university.
- Binary: Relating to, composed of, or
involving two things.
- Example:
Many traditional cultures adhere to a binary understanding of gender.
- Non-binary: Not relating to, composed of,
or involving just two things.
- Example:
Femi, who identifies as non-binary, uses both he/him and they/them
pronouns.
- Genderqueer: A person who does not
subscribe to conventional gender distinctions.
- Example:
Ayo identifies as genderqueer and enjoys blending elements of both
masculine and feminine styles.
- Transgender: A person whose gender
identity does not correspond with their birth sex.
- Example:
Amara, a transgender woman, is advocating for better healthcare services
in Nigeria.
- Cisgender: A person whose gender
identity matches their birth sex.
- Example:
Bisi, who is cisgender, supports her transgender friends by attending
LGBTQ+ events.
- Transition: The process of changing one's
gender presentation and/or sex characteristics to accord with their gender
identity.
- Example:
During his transition, Tunde found support in a local LGBTQ+ community
group.
- Dysphoria: A state of unease or
generalized dissatisfaction, often used in the context of gender.
- Example:
Kelechi experienced gender dysphoria from a young age, prompting them to
seek supportive counselling.
- Identity: The qualities, beliefs,
personality, looks, and expressions that make a person or group.
- Example:
Efe's identity as a queer artist informs much of their work.
- Expression: The process of making known
one's thoughts or feelings.
- Example:
Uche's gender expression includes wearing colourful beads and traditional
attire.
- Orientation: A person's sexual preference
or identity.
- Example:
Chinyere's sexual orientation as bisexual was something she openly
discussed with her close friends.
- Homosexual: Attracted to people of one's
own sex.
- Example:
During Pride Month, Emeka proudly celebrated his homosexual relationship
with his partner.
- Heterosexual: Attracted to people of the
opposite sex.
- Example:
Ade is heterosexual and has been happily married to his wife for ten
years.
- Bisexual: Attracted to both men and
women.
- Example:
Funmi identifies as bisexual and feels comfortable dating people of any
gender.
- Pansexual: Not limited in sexual choice
with regard to biological sex, gender, or gender identity.
- Example:
Kunle's pansexuality means he falls in love with people regardless of
their gender.
- Asexual: Experiencing no sexual
attraction to others.
- Example:
Tola identifies as asexual and focuses on deep platonic relationships.
- Queer: An umbrella term used for
sexual and gender minorities who are not heterosexual or cisgender.
- Example:
Zara proudly identifies as queer and is an active member of the local
LGBTQ+ community.
- LGBTQ+: An acronym for lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, and queer (or questioning) and others.
- Example:
The LGBTQ+ community in Lagos is growing more visible and active each
year.
- Intersex: A person born with
reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit typical definitions of
male or female.
- Example:
Efe, who is intersex, educates others about the diversity of human
biology.
- Fluid: Not rigid or fixed; likely to
change.
- Example:
James describes his gender as fluid, feeling more masculine some days and
more feminine on others.
- Agender: A person who does not
identify as having a gender.
- Example:
Olu identifies as agender and prefers the pronouns they/them.
- Bigender: Identifying as two genders,
either simultaneously or switching between them.
- Example:
Halima, who is bigender, uses both she/her and he/him pronouns depending
on the day.
- Genderfluid: Not having a fixed gender;
fluctuating between genders.
- Example:
Tosin's genderfluid identity allows them to freely express both masculine
and feminine traits.
- Gender-neutral: Suitable for, applicable to,
or common to both male and female genders.
- Example:
The school adopted gender-neutral bathrooms to be more inclusive.
- Pronouns: Words used to refer to people
in conversation (e.g., he, she, they).
- Example:
It's important to ask for and use the correct pronouns for everyone, as
Aisha reminded her classmates.
- Misgender: To refer to someone,
especially a transgender person, using a word or address that does not
correctly reflect the gender with which they identify.
- Example:
Kemi felt hurt when her teacher misgendered her during roll call.
- Deadname: A name that a transgender
person was given at birth but no longer uses.
- Example:
Please respect Femi by not using their deadname in conversation.
- Polyamorous: Having intimate relationships
with more than one partner, with the consent of all partners involved.
- Example:
In the documentary, Nnenna shared her experience of living a polyamorous
lifestyle.
- Monogamous: Being in a relationship with
only one partner at a time.
- Example:
Despite societal pressure, Chioma and Obi have chosen a monogamous
relationship.
- Gender
roles:
Societal norms dictating the types of behaviours considered acceptable
based on one's gender.
- Example:
Breaking traditional gender roles, Adaobi became a mechanic in her
hometown.
- Patriarchy: A social system where men
hold primary power.
- Example:
The village elders discussed ways to dismantle the patriarchy and promote
gender equality.
- Matriarchy: A social system where women
hold primary power.
- Example:
The community's matriarchy has been led by women for centuries.
- Feminism: The advocacy of women's
rights based on equality of the sexes.
- Example:
As a proponent of feminism, Ngozi works tirelessly to ensure women have
equal opportunities.
- Equality: The state of being equal,
especially in status, rights, and opportunities.
- Example:
The new policies were implemented to promote gender equality in the
workplace.
- Equity: Fairness or justice in the
way people are treated.
- Example:
The NGO focuses on achieving gender equity in education.
- Sexual
orientation:
A person's pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to others.
- Example:
Olawale's sexual orientation as a gay man was a topic he discussed openly
with his family.