GLBTI

Welcome to the Women's Center Online Resource Guide!

On Campus

Cantú Queer Center

831 459-2468
Merrill College (next to KZSC)
Open M-F 10-6
queer@ucsc.edu
http://queer.ucsc.edu
Educational, social, and support services for students, staff, and faculty. Resource library, referrals and workshops.


Off Campus

The Diversity Center
831 425-5422
1117 Soquel Ave. 
Santa Cruz
Mailing:
P.O. Box 8280
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
www.diversitycenter.org
A drop-in space, lending library, housing and job resources, events and activities calendar. Monthly newsletter. Open everyday at various times. Call for information.

Terms You Should Know...

Is gender the same as sex?

A person's sex refers to one's biology, specifically to one's chromosomes, external genitalia, secondary sexual characteristics (development of breasts, pubic hair), and internal reproductive system. Sex is a term used historically and within the medical field to identify genetic/hormonal and physical characteristics that are used to classify an individual as female, male, or intersex. Sex is a legal assignment at your birth.

What is gender?

Gender is a set of socially constructed and assigned behaviors and identity patterns which are often perceived to be intertwined and/or equivalent to one's sexual biology. In fact, gender is constructed, having multiple meanings across cultures, geographies, communities, and individuals. Although society promotes the dualistic concept that people are either a woman or a man, there are more than two genders (see also "Transgender" and "Intersex.")

Who is transgender?

Transgender (sometimes shortened to trans) refers to individuals whose gender identity does not conform with what society has commonly associated with their biological sex. For example, an individual may be anatomically female (sex) and identify with and have a masculine gender expression. Yet not all transgender people fit into a masculine/feminine binary (placing people into the category either man or woman, boy or girl, etc.). Instead, they may express multiple genders or express a unique gender that is neither completely masculine nor feminine. Transgender is also used to identify a larger group of gender nonconforming people such as transsexuals, cross dressers, and genderqueers. It is important to acknowledge that not everyone who appears to fit under this definition of transgender identifies as such.

Who is intersexual?

Intersexual (previously referred to as hermaphrodite) refers to the condition in an individual who may have sex chromosomes, anatomy or physiology which is not socially considered standard for either male or female. Intersex conditions are often visible at birth, but some develop later during puberty. Though some intersexed individuals identify as transgender, not all are. The transgender and intersex communities often work together due to some similarities in the form of oppression both groups face, but each group has unique needs as well.

Adapted from UC Berkeley Gender Equity Resource Center 

http://students.berkeley.edu/sas/geneq/