Subject Guides: 2SLGBTQIA+ Resources: 2SLGBTQIA+ Identities

2SLGBTQIA+ Identities

What is Gender Identity?

Gender identity is the internal sense a person has of their identity as male and/or female; and/or a variation or combination of genders. Today, more people feel comfortable to come out regarding their gender identity. It can be a long path to discover and embrace your true self. If your gender does not match your sex, you may even take steps to have your body represent who you really are.

Trans History: a Graphic Novel: from Ancient Times to the Present Day by Alex L. Combs (Illustrator); Andrew Eakett (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9781536244175

Publication Date: 2025-05-13

"Combs and Eakett do a fantastic job of providing readers an incredibly comprehensive and strongly researched--yet somehow compact--look into the history of trans identity." --School Library Journal (starred review) An essential introduction to trans history, from ancient times to the present day, in full-color graphic nonfiction format. Deeply researched, highly readable, and featuring a broad range of voices.
Gender Identity: Inclusion, Rights and Victimization by Sue J. Cronin (Editor)
ISBN: 9798886978681

Sexual, gender, and physical diversity is a feature of every society, culture, and country in the world. Great strides have been made in advancing equality for all people, including those who identify as LGBTQI+, although there is still much work to be done. Violence, discrimination, stigma and criminalization still affect the lives of millions of LGBTQI+ people around the world.
Before Bostock by Jason A. Pierceson
ISBN: 9780700633159

In Bostock v. Clayton County (2020), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Though surprising to many, the decision built on evolving legal interpretations dating back to Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins (1989), which recognized sex stereotyping as a form of discrimination. Initially unrelated to LGBTQ+ rights, Price Waterhouse later became a key precedent, especially for transgender protections in the 2000s. Jason Pierceson’s Before Bostock traces this legal evolution, showing how courts can advance LGBTQ+ rights even when legislative progress stalls.

[Video Playlist] Gender Spectrum
What does it mean to live outside society's traditional understanding of gender?

What is Gender expression?

Gender expression is the external appearance of one's gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, body characteristics or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.

Gender by Laura Erickson-Schroth; Benjamin Davis
ISBN: 0190880031

The term "gender" was first distinguished from "sex" in the 1950s, when psychologists began to discuss the idea of "gender roles" - behaviors and responsibilities given to people by a society rather than flowing from their biology. Over the last two decades, transgender people have expanded our understanding of gender even further, introducing to the mainstream the concept of "gender identity," an individual's understanding of their own gender. Along the way, there have been numerous debates and controversies (i.e., what is the influence of biology on gender, how does the media impact gender and gender roles, and do transgender people reinforce gender stereotypes or help to free us from them?). In an easy-to-read format that includes questions and short responses, Gender: What Everyone Needs to Know guides the reader through basic definitions; the history of gender as a concept; the role of biology, psychology, and culture on gender; and gender norms over time and across the globe.

What is sexual orientation?

Sexual orientation is an inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people. Note: an individual’s sexual orientation is independent of their gender identity.

Videos

[Video]. 5 Asexual People Explain What "Asexual" Means To Them. (2019). Tinder.
For most, physical and sexual attraction is an important part of choosing who to date or partner up with. Not so for asexual people, like the five featured in the video above, who can, if they don't also identify as aromantic, be romantically attracted to people but don't wish to have sex with them. Unsurprisingly, being asexual comes with its challenges: explaining yourself to friends and family, dating and finding a romantic partner, and feeling as if you fit in with your peers. But it's hardly a hopeless situation, because as you we hear, "You are not alone. There's a lot of us, and we will definitely welcome you with open arms.
[Video]. 5 Bisexual People Explain What "Bisexual" Means To Them. (2019). Tinder.

This Book Is Gay by James Dawson
This candid, funny, and uncensored exploration of sexuality and what it's like to grow up LGBT also includes real stories from people across the gender and sexual spectrums, not to mention hilarious illustrations. You will be entertained. You will be informed. But most importantly, you will know that however you identify (or don't) and whomever you love, you are exceptional. You matter. And so does this book. One of The Guardian's Best Books of the Year
Conversations about Psychology and Sexual Orientation by Janis S. Bohan; Glenda M. Russell
ISBN: 9780814723074

Psychology's approach to sexual orientation has long had its foundation in essentialism, which undergirds psychological theory and research as well as clinical practice and applications of psychology to public policy issues. It is only recently that psychology as a discipline has begun to entertain social constructivism as an alternative approach. Based on the belief that thoughtful dialogue can engender positive change, Conversations about Psychology and Sexual Orientation explores the implications for psychology of both essentialist and social constructionist understandings of sexual orientation.
Young Adult Sexuality in the Digital Age by Rachel Kalish (Editor)
ISBN: 9781799831877

Technology is rapidly advancing, and each innovation provides opportunities for such technology to mesh with the human enactment of physical intimacy or to be used in the quest for information about sexuality. However, the availability of this technology has complicated sexual decision making for young adults as they continually navigate their sexual identity, orientation, behavior, and community. Young Adult Sexuality in the Digital Age is a pivotal reference source that improves the understanding of the combination of technology and sexual decision making for young adults, examining the role of technology in sexual identity formation, sexual communication, relationship formation and dissolution, and sexual learning and online sexual communities and activism. While highlighting topics such as privacy management, cyber intimacy, and digital communications, this book is ideally designed for therapists, social workers, sociologists, psychologists, counselors, healthcare professionals, scholars, researchers, and students.

What does Two-Spirit mean?

Two-Spirit is an umbrella term specifically for Indigenous people part of the LGBTQ+ community to transcend beyond Western constructs of identity and use as a reference to the unique understanding and perspectives towards identity, sexuality, expression, and gender within Indigenous worldviews which varies in the interpretation of what it means to be Two-Spirit from each nation, tribe, or Indigenous community.

It Gets Better Canada. (2024, September 24). Two-Spirit: A sacred, powerful, and complex identity. It Gets Better Canada. https://itgetsbettercanada.org/2024/09/24/two-spirit/

Learn more: Two-Spirited - Indigenous Resources - Subject Guides at Nova Scotia Community College

Videos

[Video]. First Stories - Two Spirited. (2007). National Film Board of Canada.

(NSCC W# and password required)
This video does not have closed captioning or a transcript.
This short documentary presents the empowering story of Rodney "Geeyo" Poucette's struggle against prejudice in the Indigenous community as a two-spirited person (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender).

[Video]. Second Stories - Deb-we-win Ge-ken-am-aan, Our Place in the Circle.(2008). National Film Board of Canada.

(NSCC W# and password required)

Lorne Olson's short documentary presents a vision he had of two-spirited people dancing, laughing, and smiling. His vision spurs him to rediscover the strength of the past to better face the challenges of today. This funny and buoyant film documents his touching journey.

2SLGBTQIA+ Resources

2SLGBTQIA+ Identities

What is Gender Identity?

What is Gender expression?

What is sexual orientation?

Videos

What does Two-Spirit mean?

Videos

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