What Gender Expression Really Means

What you wear, how you style your hair, how you speak and move these are all parts of how you show up in the world. But for many people, these everyday choices are also expressions of gender. Gender expression is deeply personal, highly cultural, and, at times, misunderstood.

Whether you identify with the gender you were assigned at birth or not, everyone expresses gender in some way. And for those whose expression doesn’t fit societal expectations, the result can be discomfort, discrimination, or even denial of basic rights especially in places like healthcare and the workplace.

What Is Gender Expression?

Gender expression refers to the external presentation of your gender how you look, act, and even speak in ways that are culturally associated with masculinity, femininity, or something in between. It’s different from gender identity, which is your internal sense of self (e.g., woman, man, nonbinary), and from sexual orientation, which relates to who you’re attracted to.

For example:

• A cisgender woman may prefer masculine clothing, short haircuts, or a minimal makeup routine and still identify fully as a woman.

• A transgender man may present with facial hair and a deep voice, aligning his gender expression with his gender identity.

• A nonbinary person might switch up their expression frequently, choosing elements from both ends of the gender spectrum or neither.

While gender expression often aligns with identity, it doesn’t always. What’s considered masculine or feminine also shifts across time, cultures, and communities.

How Society Shapes Gender Expression

Culture plays a major role in defining what’s expected of different genders. In many parts of the world, dresses are seen as feminine, while short hair and suits are seen as masculine. But these rules aren’t fixed.

• In Victorian England, pink was seen as a masculine color.

• In parts of South Asia, men wear long flowing garments and still present as traditionally masculine.

• In some workplaces and schools, gender-based dress codes still exist and they’re a form of gender policing.

Gender policing refers to the enforcement of gender norms through social pressure, dress codes, or even violence. Women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and especially transgender people often face the harshest consequences of expressing gender in nonconforming ways.

Discrimination and Health Outcomes

A growing body of research confirms that gender expression can influence how someone is treated in healthcare. A 2020 report from Lambda Legal found that 30% of respondents feared discrimination in medical settings based on their gender expression alone.

Some of the key issues include:

• Being misgendered (referred to by incorrect pronouns)

• Facing bias or judgment for not conforming to gender norms

• Having doctors ignore or minimize concerns

• Delayed or avoided care due to previous negative experiences

Even when providers don’t intend harm, subtle biases like making assumptions based on appearance can create lasting trauma for patients.

The Role of Healthcare Providers

Ideally, health professionals would normalize asking everyone their name and pronouns, rather than making assumptions based on how someone looks or dresses. A best practice is for providers to introduce themselves with their own pronouns first, creating a safer environment for patients to do the same.

While sex assigned at birth is still medically relevant for certain screenings (like cervical or prostate cancer), it doesn’t justify discriminatory practices. Recognizing and respecting a person’s gender expression is key to delivering equitable care.

Legal Protections Are Still Evolving

Although some regions have started protecting gender expression under law, many areas including under U.S. federal law still don’t have explicit protections. Canada’s Ontario province banned discrimination based on gender expression in 2012, and New York followed in 2019.

But in most places, protections fall under broader categories like sexual orientation or gender identity leaving gaps in coverage for those who don’t neatly fit traditional definitions.

Organizations like the National Center for Transgender Equality and the Movement Advancement Project help individuals stay informed about their legal rights and how to advocate for themselves and others.

Everyone Has Gender Expression Not Just LGBTQ+ People

What often goes unnoticed is that gender expression isn't unique to transgender or nonbinary individuals. Everyone expresses gender in some way even those whose identity and appearance align with traditional expectations. What makes the experience different is how society reacts.

People whose expression is perceived as “nonconforming” often experience higher rates of:

• Workplace discrimination

• Harassment in public spaces

• Health disparities

• Social isolation

The Takeaway

Gender expression is fluid, cultural, and deeply personal. While it may shift over time or stay the same for years, it deserves respect and understanding. As conversations around gender become more visible, it’s important to remember that everyone has the right to express themselves without fear of judgment or harm.

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