Gender Identity vs. Sexual Orientation

The more people I talk to, the more people I find who don't realize--or just haven't thought about--the fact that gender identity and sexual orientation are two different and independent things.

Gender identity is the gender of your psychological self, the gender your brain and soul know you to be. This may be male, female, both, or neither.

Gender Identity

(Psychological sense of self)

man -------- two spirit/third gender -------- woman

Sexual orientation is the gender you are attracted to. This may be male, female, both, or neither.

Sexual Orientation
(romantic/erotic response)

attracted to women---bisexual/asexual---attracted to men

At the time of birth, a person's gender identity and sexual orientation have already been established. They are a part of how they were made.