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For many of us, memories of sex education classes at school are anything but positive. Who hasn't seen their teacher, perhaps a physical education teacher, awkwardly say in a serious tone to a class of confused teenagers: "Don't have sex, or you'll die!"? The reality, however, is quite different: well-delivered sex education, delivered by competent people , can be incredibly stimulating, inclusive , and helpful. Unfortunately, many in Italy don't have access to this opportunity, but this is something that should change.

It's time we all learned the truth, and let's start with the basics.

The Fundamentals of Sexuality Education

When talking about sex education, it's essential to understand some basic concepts. These include:

  • Biological sex
  • Gender identity
  • Gender expression
  • Sexual orientation

Each of these elements is considered a spectrum , within which many shades exist. Let's take a look at what this is all about.

Biological Sex: It's Not That Simple

Biological sex , or sex assigned at birth, refers to identification based on genitals. In simple terms:

  • If you have a penis , you will be identified as male .
  • If you have a vulva , you will be identified as female .

But that's not all . There are also intersex people, who have physical or chromosomal characteristics that don't fit neatly into the binary classification of male or female. This can manifest itself at birth or during puberty .

Some examples of the genitals

Gender Identity: Who Are You Really?

Gender identity is completely distinct from biological sex. While the latter refers to our genitals, gender identity is about a deep understanding of who we are . Basically, how do you perceive yourself? What gender do you feel comfortable with?

Because gender identity is non-binary, there are many terms to describe the different experiences. Here are some of the most common:

  • Cisgender : If you identify with the sex assigned at birth. (Example: You have a penis and feel like a man, or you have a vulva and feel like a woman.)
  • Transgender : If you identify as something other than your sex assigned at birth. (Example: You have a vulva, but you feel like a man.)

Within the term transgender , there are further nuances:

  • Transsexual : refers to transgender people who, not identifying with their biological sex, have begun a process of body transformation to achieve the gender they identify with. Today, this term should be avoided, as it is considered offensive, stigmatizing, and does not reflect the current view of gender affirmation.
  • Non-binary : If the concept of man or woman doesn't resonate with you. Non-binary people don't identify exclusively as one gender.

Under the non-binary umbrella, we find two other categories:

  • Agender : If you don't identify with any gender.
  • Genderfluid : If your gender identity changes over time.

It's important to remember that the transition process can be different for every transgender person. For some, the transition is primarily social (e.g., changing their name or pronouns), while for others it may involve medical treatments or surgery. It's crucial not to judge how someone chooses to live their life!

Gender Expression: How You Show Who You Are

Gender expression refers to how you choose to present yourself to the world. This may be influenced by social stereotypes, but it doesn't necessarily reflect your gender identity .

  • Feminine : Follow the characteristics traditionally associated with the female gender.
  • Masculine : Follow the characteristics traditionally associated with the masculine gender.
  • Androgynous : You combine elements of both genders.

It's important to emphasize that gender expression has nothing to do with who you really are on the inside, but only with how you choose to show yourself to others.

Sexual Orientation: Who Are You Attracted To?

Sexual orientation refers to your attraction to other people, whether sexual or romantic. Here are some common categories:

  • Heterosexual / Heteroromantic : You are attracted to people of the opposite gender.
  • Homosexual / Homoromantic : You are attracted to people of the same gender.
  • Bisexual / Biromantic : You are attracted to two or more genders.

Sexual orientation is a complex topic, and we'll explore it in more detail in a future article.

How to Be Respectful of Others' Gender and Identity

A common question is: How can I approach people without making assumptions about their gender or orientation? First of all, kudos to you for wanting to be respectful! The easiest way to do this is to ask what pronouns they prefer. When you meet someone, you can also share your pronouns to encourage open communication.

If you make a mistake, apologize and correct it. It's normal to make mistakes, but it's important to learn and improve.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sex education should be a tool for exploring, understanding, and respecting human diversity. Don't make assumptions or judge people based on their gender or orientation. If you don't understand something, remember that it's your problem , not the person's. The key is to learn, grow, and embrace every nuance of our complex human identity.

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