The Difference Between Sex and Gender Discrimination

The Difference Between Sex and Gender DiscriminationThe Difference Between Sex and Gender DiscriminationSex discrimination and gender discrimination are terms often used interchangeably, and they are basically the same thing. In particular, the terms sex discrimination and gender discrimination mean the same when youre speaking in terms of federal civil rights law and anti-discrimination law. So, should you refer to discrimination against women as sex discrimination or gender discrimination? Either works. And is there such a thing as sexual discrimination? There is, but definitions become tricky here because the hundertprozentig sexual cannot be freely interchanged with the word sex- at least not without lines blurring and distorting the meanings of the two terms. Sexual Discrimination Is Not the Same as Sex Discrimination Less commonly used is the term sexual discrimination. This is not the correct term when its simply used to refer to discrimination based on a persons gender. T he word sexualis used, however, when youre referring to sexual harassment because sexual discriminationdescribes a type of offense that is sexual in nature. Think of sex as implying gender and sexual as relating to a sexually-oriented activity. Sexual harassment does not solely involve unequal pay, working conditions, or advancement opportunities based on a persons sex or gender, although these can come into play, too. Rather, harassment involves teasing, sexual advances, and unwelcome touching. It mightinvolve jokes or taunting directed at an individual because of her gender. It can include promises of promotion or pay raises in exchange for sexual favors, although sexual harassment is not limited to interactions with the victims employer or supervisor. Co-workers or even a companys clients or customers can be guilty of sexual harassment, and the employers duty is to step in and stop the behavior. The victim and harasser do not have to be of the opposite sex. Sexual Orientation Discrimination The term sexual is also used when referring to discrimination against someone for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer (LGBTQ). In this case, the term sexual orientation discrimination would technically be correct. The victim does not necessarily have to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered. The situation rises to the level of discrimination if the perpetrator acts based on such a belief. No federal laws protect people in general from this type of discrimination,although those who actually work for the federal government are afforded protections. Approximately 20 states have adopted protective laws for gay and lesbian people, and some judges have ruled that behavior aimed at LGBTQ individuals is indeed sex discrimination because the victims were acted against due to the fact that they did not or could not conform to typical gender stereotypes. Gender Discrimination Is Against the Law It is a violation of federal civil rights to deny someone a job, promotion, equal pay, or opportunity based on their gender. It does not matter if the individual is male or female. Sex discrimination is against the law, as are sexual orientation discrimination and sexual harassment.