Good afternoon everyone.

We are Group 2 and today we will be discussing the Biological and Social Constructions of Gender.

today’s discussion, our objectives are the following:

1. To explain the difference between sex as a biological classification and gender as a social construct,
while also considering intersex variations.
2. To recognize and explain various gender identities such as cisgender, transgender, non-binary, agender,
genderfluid, and bigender.
3. To describe the elements of SOGIE and how they shape individual experiences, and to understand the
importance of the SOGIE Equality Bill in addressing discrimination based on sexual orientation and
gender identity.
4. Lastly, to analyze the social issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines, including
workplace discrimination, limited healthcare access for transgender persons, and stigma against non-
binary identities.

Before we officially start, I would like to call on someone to answer a warm-up question. Looking at this
diagram, which of these categories—sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, or gender
roles—do you think people most often confuse with each other, and why?

Let us first differentiate some important terms.

Gender is a social construct. This means it is created by society and culture, not by biology. Gender
defines the roles, behaviors, activities, and expectations that people think are “appropriate” for men,
women, or other genders.
Gender Identity is a person’s deeply felt internal and personal experience of gender. This is how someone
truly sees and understands themselves—whether as male, female, both, neither, or anywhere in between.
Importantly, gender identity may or may not match the sex a person was assigned at birth.
Gender Orientation is a less commonly used term, but it highlights how people position themselves in
relation to gender expectations. In other words, it refers to how a person is aware of and orients their
identity relative to what society expects. It’s about how individuals see themselves in connection to the
social norms of gender.
 Gender is society’s set of rules and expectations.
 Gender identity is who we personally know ourselves to be.
 Gender orientation is how we align—or don’t align—ourselves with the gender norms around us.

Sex refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that classify humans as male or female. This
includes chromosomes—like XX for female or XY for male—hormones, reproductive organs, and even
secondary traits such as body hair or voice pitch. In some cases, people may also be born with intersex
variations that don’t fit the typical male or female categories.
Sexuality is about a person’s capacity to experience sexual feelings and emotions. But it’s more than just
attraction—it includes the different ways people express their sexual preferences, behaviors, and
identities. In short, sexuality is broad and personal; it is about how someone experiences and expresses
their sexual self.
Sexual Orientation is more specific. It refers to the pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction
one feels toward others. This may be attraction to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or none. For
example, heterosexuality means attraction to the opposite sex, homosexuality means attraction to the
same sex, bisexuality means attraction to both, and asexuality means little or no sexual attraction.

 Sex = biology (chromosomes, hormones, reproductive traits).

 Sexuality = the capacity for sexual feelings and behaviors.
 Sexual orientation = who we are emotionally or romantically attracted to.

SEX VS GENDER
Lets discuss the difference between sex and gender. These two terms are often used interchangeably, but
in reality, they mean very different things. Understanding the distinction helps us avoid confusion and
better respect people’s identities.

First is by definition
Let’s start with sex. Sex is our biological classification. It’s based on physical and biological features such
as reproductive organs, chromosomes, and hormones. For example, XX chromosomes usually correspond
to female, XY to male. But not everyone fits neatly into this category. Some people are born intersex,
meaning their biological traits don’t strictly match male or female.
Now, gender is not biological—it’s a social construct. This means it’s created and shaped by society,
culture, and history. Gender defines the roles, behaviors, and expectations we associate with being
“male” or “female.”
For example: many societies expect men to be strong providers, while women are expected to take care of
the household. But notice—these roles aren’t written in our DNA. They’re rules made and reinforced by
society.

ASSIGNMENT
At birth, sex is usually assigned by doctors. They look at the baby’s physical characteristics—specifically
the genitals—and record “M” for male or “F” for female on the birth certificate.
Gender, however, is something we learn as we grow up. Through socialization, we are taught what is
considered “masculine” or “feminine.” This happens in many ways—through family expectations, school,
religion, media, and even simple things like the clothes we are dressed in as children.
For example: Boys are often told to play with toy cars, while girls are given dolls. Over time, these social
messages shape how we think we should behave as men or women.

VARIABILITY
Traditionally, sex has been seen as binary—male or female. But biology shows us that it’s more complex.
Intersex individuals, who may have a mix of male and female traits, prove that sex actually exists on a
spectrum.
Example: Someone may be born with both ovarian and testicular tissue, a condition called ovotesticular
disorder.
Gender is even more diverse. It goes beyond just “man” or “woman.” People can identify as cisgender
(their gender matches their assigned sex), transgender (their gender differs from assigned sex), or as non-
binary, genderfluid, agender, bigender, and more. This diversity reflects the many ways people
experience and express their identity.

IDENTITY
Sex usually aligns with biological features. For instance, someone with female anatomy often identifies as
a woman.
But gender identity is about how a person truly sees themselves, which may or may not match their sex at
birth.
Example: A transgender woman is assigned male at birth but knows and identifies herself as female. Her
gender identity is valid, even if it doesn’t match the sex recorded on her birth certificate.
This shows us that identity is not just biology—it’s about personal experience and self-recognition.

EXPRESSION
Finally, let’s talk about expression.
Sex shows in physical traits like body hair, voice pitch, or reproductive organs.
Gender expression, on the other hand, is how someone presents themselves to the world. This can include
clothing, hairstyle, voice, mannerisms, and even the way a person interacts with others.
Example: A person assigned male at birth might choose to wear dresses, put on makeup, and grow long
hair as part of their gender expression. This doesn’t change their biology, but it communicates their
gender identity.

In conclusion, sex and gender are related but very different. Sex is biological—it’s what we are born with.
Gender is social—it’s shaped by culture, expectations, and personal identity. Both exist on a spectrum,
and respecting this difference is key to building an inclusive society.

To wrap up our discussion:

We have learned that sex refers to biological attributes, while gender is a social construct shaped by roles
and expectations. Gender identity is a deeply personal experience, which may not always align with one’s
assigned sex at birth.
We also discussed the SOGIE Equality Bill, which aims to protect individuals from discrimination based
on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Despite being refiled many times and gaining
public support, it continues to face resistance from conservative groups.
In the broader social context, the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines still struggles with
harassment, job rejection, and lack of access to healthcare. Intersex persons continue to fight for
recognition and consent in medical decisions, while transgender individuals face stigma and barriers in
legal rights and healthcare.
In conclusion, understanding these concepts and supporting measures like the SOGIE Equality Bill are
important steps toward building a more inclusive, equal, and respectful society for everyone.

As we end our discussion, let me leave you with a reminder from John Money, a psychologist who studied
gender and identity. He said,
“Gender identity is formed by a combination of biological and social factors… but above all, it is established
through social learning.”
John Money emphasized that gender identity is primarily learned through upbringing and nurture, rather than
being purely determined by nature.
This means that while biology plays a role, our understanding of who we are is deeply influenced by the society
we live in, the roles we are taught, and the acceptance we experience. It reinforces why awareness, inclusivity,
and equality are so important — because how we treat people also shapes how they see and value themselves.
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Thank you for listening, and that concludes our presentation.