Diversity – Gender and Sexual Diversity
Diversity – Gender and Sexual Diversity
- Male or Female – determined traditionally by presence or absence of sexual organs is historically how Gender was defined. We can work with the legal definitions and the concepts.
- Whatever Gender a person is they can be attracted to someone who is the same Gender of a different gender or many genders. This is their sexual orientation, We call this Sexual Diversity
- However diversity is an umbrella term that is used to describe gender identities that demonstrate a diversity of expression beyond the binary framework. For many gender diverse people, the concept of binary gender – having to choose to express yourself as male or female – is constraining.
We offer
- a team of associates in four continents speaking 12 languages (see People)
- four day training course on Diversity already delivered in several countries (see Train )
- talks on Diversity delivered in several countries (see Speak)
- Diversity workshops tailored for specific countries to deal with others (see Train)
- Cognitive Diversity – how to build a properly diverse team using Profiling (see Profile
- Coaching on Interculturality and on how to become Diverse (see Coach)
- Call us on +447788425688 for more details or send us an enquiry
Our building blocks
Binary Gender: Males and Females
Diversity
Great strides have been made in some countries to ensure ‘equality’ for women in a male society. And if equality means 50% split between men and women then indeed some progress has been made. Though equal pay for the same job is way behind. It may pass the ‘diversity’ tick box required by law but far to often it’s ‘lip service.
Does Equality mean – equal pay for doing the same job? Not currently
Inclusion and Belonging: If you have a woman on an all-male board and all they are asked to deal with is ‘women’s issues’ or maybe ‘soft skills’ such as HR then that is not inclusion. . It’s about being included and belong to every day decisions, and feeling you belong.
And all women teams are just as bad
What Smart Coaching & Training does
There are many organisations specialising in Gender Diversity. SCT does not specialise in this area.
That being said – there are more female than male associates in SCT and many work within groups training and promoting women.
Sexual Diversity
Sexual diversity, or Gender and Sexual Diversity (GSD), encompasses all diversities of sex characteristics, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Inclusivity eliminates the need to specify each identity, behaviour, or characteristic individually, acknowledging a broad spectrum of diversities.
Components
Includes diversities in sex characteristics (biological aspects), sexual orientations (whom individuals are attracted to), and gender identities (how individuals identify themselves).
Sexual diversity encompasses a broad spectrum of sexual orientations, gender identities, and biological characteristics, reflecting the complexity and variety of human experiences related to sexuality and gender.
Key Concepts of Sexual Diversity
Sexual Orientation: This refers to the emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction a person feels towards others. Common categories include:
- Heterosexual: Attraction to the opposite sex.
- Homosexual: Attraction to the same sex (includes gay men and lesbians).
- Bisexual: Attraction to more than one sex or gender.
- Pansexual: Attraction to individuals regardless of their gender.
- Asexual: Lack of sexual attraction to others.
Gender Identity: This is an individual’s deeply held sense of their gender, which may or may not align with their sex assigned at birth. Key terms include:
- Cisgender: Gender identity aligns with the sex assigned at birth.
- Transgender: Gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth.
- Non-binary: Individuals who do not identify strictly as male or female.
- Genderfluid: A flexible gender identity that may change over time.
- Intersex: Refers to individuals born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. This includes variations in chromosomes, gonads, or genitals.
LGBTQ+ in the UK
Since 1967 it is no longer illegal to be LGBTQ+, nor is it classed as a mental health disorder (since 1992), and the Equalities Act 2010 protects some, though not all, of the LGBTQ+ community against discrimination. Same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ adoption is legal. Section 28 was repealed, and local authorities can talk about LGBTQ+ lives. In the2021 census, LGBTQ+ people could self-identify for the first time. There have been major strides in terms of rights. However, there are still many challenges, and rights that have been hard fought for can be taken away, as has seen in the USA with the barrage of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in many states. In Europe, anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been passed in Russia and Hungary, as well as in Africa, most recently in Uganda. (courtesy Brigstowe, Bristol. UK)
From 2024 Organisers of London’s Pride parade now require employers to commit to a year-round LGBTQ+ inclusion programme, to tackle ‘pinkwashing’ and ‘rainbowwashing’ – where an employer professes, but does not act to ensure or support, LGBTQ+ allyship. Organisers of London’s Pride parade now require employers to commit to a year-round LGBTQ+ inclusion programme, to tackle ‘pinkwashing’ and ‘rainbowwashing’ – where an employer professes, but does not act to ensure or support, LGBTQ+ allyship. This is to encourage employers to go beyond paying lip service. – in the LGBT+ world as well as all the other diverse worlds .
Cultural Perspectives
Sexual diversity is understood differently across cultures. While Western societies often categorize sexual orientation and gender identity in binary terms (male/female, heterosexual/homosexual), many cultures recognize a broader range of identities and expressions. For example, some Indigenous cultures have long acknowledged Two-Spirit individuals, who embody both masculine and feminine spirits.
Social Implications
The recognition of sexual diversity is crucial for promoting equality and human rights. Advocacy for sexual diversity aims to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, have equal rights and opportunities. This is often highlighted during events like Pride Parades, which celebrate sexual diversity and advocate against discrimination.
In summary, sexual diversity is a vital aspect of human identity that encompasses a wide range of sexual orientations, gender identities, and biological characteristics. Understanding and embracing this diversity is essential for fostering inclusive societies.
While SCT does not specialise in the area, we have various associates across the sexuality spectrum and having associates in many countries means there are reference points . We also know many organisations in different parts of the world who are specialists in this area.
Beyond the binary framework.
Gender diversity is an umbrella term that is used to describe gender identities that demonstrate a diversity of expression beyond the binary framework. For many gender diverse people, the concept of binary gender – having to choose to express yourself as male or female – is constraining.
In different countries the law is different about defining gender. For example, in the UK, a person can, by law, decide which gender they are regardless of their gender at birth and which sexual organs they may have , or have had.
While we know people of gender fluidity and trans men and trans women (see also Sexuality) it is not an area we specialise in