Gender identity refers to how an individual sees themself socially, as a woman, man, neither or both. It has no relation to their physical characteristics, but rather to how they choose to live their lives. This categorization may be fluid, over time or social situations.

The clinical (or medical) term used to describe those people who describe themselves (or self-determine) as transsexual. The term 'transsexualism' is a misnomer. The clinical term is more accurate as a person's self-perceived identity is emphasised.

No one knows exactly how sexual orientation and gender identity determined. However, experts agree that it is a complicated matter of genetics, biology, psychological and social factors. For most people, sexual orientation and gender identity are shaped at any early age. While research has not determined a cause, homosexuality and gender variance are not the result of any one factor like parenting or past experiences.

Religious and secular organizations do sponsor campaigns and studies claiming that GLBT people can change their sexual orientation or gender identity because there is something wrong. PFLAG believes that it is our anti-GLBT attitudes, laws and policies that need to change, not our GLBT loved ones. These studies and campaigns suggesting that GLBT people can change are based on ideological biases and not peer-reviewed solid science.

If you want to request to be assigned housing based on your gender identity, rather than legal sex, you may indicate that option on the existing housing application. In the housing preference section, click the box Gender Identity, then click the appropriate box indicating Gender Identity Male (GIM) or Gender Identity Female (GIF). You will also have the option to indicate if you have a preferred first name in addition to your legal name as it appears on the application.

A person's gender identity is their internal sense of being male or female. Gender expression is how someone presents their gender to the world. We all have a gender identity, and we all have ways of expressing it. Our society has a narrow view of what it means to be a woman or a man, and we learn that from an early age.

GID is a psychological classification found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association. Although GID is the only diagnosis under which trans people may receive treatment, and therefore it is necessary, it also is controversial. Some psychotherapists GID has been used inappropriately and harmfully by to treat gender variant youth. Moreover, many if not most trans people also believe they do not have a mental disorder.

Sexual orientation refers to who people are attracted to; a homosexual orientation would be towards people of the same sex, a heterosexual orientation would be towards people of the opposite sex. A bisexual orientation would be towards either sex. Gender identity refers to how people define themselves as male, female, or something else entirely.

Beginning in Fall 2007, all incoming freshmen, transfers and new graduate students will have the option to request to be housed based on their gender identity. This option is open to all students, regardless of identity.

NYU will seek to place students who select this option in a room or suite with others of the same gender identity who have requested a room assignment on this basis. Every effort will be made to honor requests to be housed by gender identity, but if this is not possible, legal sex will be used in determining housing placement. NYU will make every effort to accommodate both your wish to be assigned housing based on gender identity, as well as your other preferences (i.e.

In this rare situation, your assignment status will default to your legal sex and you will be assigned accordingly. For more information, please contact Todd Smith, Director of the NYU Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Student Services at todd.smith@nyu.edu or by phone at 212-998-4424.

Answer: The following Glossary of Terms from the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (www.gpac.org) should help with these definitions: Gender refers to the way we perceive things to be masculine or feminine. Such things need not be human. For example, in many cultures, cups are gendered feminine, and pencils masculine.

The primary difference is that sexual identity refers to how an individual relates sexually to others while gender identity refers to how an individual relates to their gendered self. Terms such as asexual, heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual are terms relating to sexual identity.

Although gender dysphoria is listed in the DSM IV as Gender Identity Disorder, most mental health practitioners do not consider transsexualism to be a mental illness per se. However, due to the discrimination and prejudice they face, many transsexuals do suffer from mental health issues secondary to their GID. Some of the most common are clinically significant levels of depression, anxiety, depersonalization and substance abuse/dependence.

It is a person that believes they are physically trapped in a body of the opposite sex and may take steps to change this. It is also called Gender dysphoria which is the overall psychological term used to describe the feelings of pain, anguish, and anxiety that arise from the mismatch between a person's physical sex and gender identity.

Gender identity is a person's internal sense of being a man or a woman, a boy or a girl. Sexual orientation is someone's sexual attraction to others who may be of the opposite sex, the same sex, or either sex. Like other people, transgender people can be heterosexual, gay, lesbian or bisexual. Generally speaking, their gender identity - not their physical sex status - determines their sexual orientation.

The choice to be housed based on your gender identity is an additional option offered to all new incoming students. Choosing this option does not garner special consideration for specific rooms or locations.

Gender expression is the manner in which an individual chooses to express their gender. Regardless of their body characteristics or what they claim as a gender identity, an individual choosing to dress and act in a manner that conforms to society's view of what a woman is would be expressing themselves as the female gender.