Sex/uality Artifacts

The Genderbread Person

Hello! This is June LaRiccia. For my artifact I used the Genderbread Person. Here is a link to view the picture:

http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Genderbread-Person-3.3.jpg

In class, I first discussed how gender is often a topic most people think they understand completely, when in fact a lot of people do not. Before I took a class on diversity, I did not fully understand gender either. In fact, I am still learning more about it. Gender is not binary, it is not either/or. In most cases, it is both/and. There are infinite combinations in regards to sexual orientation, gender, etc.

After talking about gender, I then explained several definitions. First off, gender identity can be thought of as being in the brain. It is defined as how you, in your head, define your gender, based on how much you align (or do not align) with what you understand to be the options for gender.

Gender expression is the ways in which you present gender through your actions, dress, and demeanor. It is also how those presentations are interpreted based on gender norms. This is thought of as body expression.

Biological sex is the physical sex characteristics you are born with/develop. This includes genitalia, body shape, voice pitch, body hair, hormones, and chromosomes. I discussed the male, female, and non-binary transgender signs as well, since these relate to biological sex. 

Sexual attraction is what it sounds like: who you are attracted to sexually. This can be no one, woman/female/femininity, men/males/masculinity.

Romantic attraction can include these same aspects. However, this deals with who you are romantically attracted to. This aspect of sexual orientation can be thought of as the heart.

There are infinite combinations to these definitions. One example is a person may have been born female, think of themselves as being feminine/female as far as gender, express themselves in a masculine way, be sexually attracted to females and males equally, but be more romantically attracted to males than females. This is just one example, there are thousands.

This artifact really relates to class, especially because we have been discussing sexual orientation. Many of the definitions brought up in my artifact have been described and examined during class. In addition, we have been talking about a range of sexual orientation and identities, as well as the concept of self-identity (which relates to my artifact).

Also, the articles we have recently read dealt with whether or not being gay is a choice or something you are born with, as well as the advantages and disadvantages that transgender people may experience. Thus, my artifact of the Genderbread Person relates to class on many levels.