Understanding Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

Gender identity and sexual orientation can sometimes be confused, but they refer to two distinct aspects of a person’s experience. This video breaks down the key differences! Gender identity is about who you are—your internal sense of being male, female, nonbinary, or another gender. Sexual orientation is about who you are attracted to—whether that’s men, women, multiple genders, or no one at all. A person’s gender identity doesn’t determine their sexual orientation, and vice versa. Understanding this distinction is essential to understanding yourself and others!

No Silly Questions is all about LGBTQ+ FAQs and fast facts. From queer culture, to healthy relationships, from history to psychology, we’re your no-judgment, no-gatekeeping resource for learning more about our diverse and inspiring community. There are no silly questions, so ask away at OutCenter.org/questions!