Definition of Terms 7 CHAPTER II: Definition of Terms “B isexual” A person who is attracted to both men and women. Some men and women adopted the term to describe their identity.11 People may embrace a bisexual identity because they are attracted to both women and men, because gender is not a key criterion for choosing an intimate partner, or because they find traditional notions of sexual orientation limiting.12 “Discrimination Against Women” refers to any gender-based distinction, exclusion, or restriction which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment, or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil, or any other field. It includes any act or omission, including by law, policy, administrative measure, or practice, that directly or indirectly excludes or restricts women in the recognition and promotion of their rights and their access to and enjoyment of opportunities, benefits, or privileges. A measure or practice of general application is discrimination against women if it fails to provide for mechanisms to offset or address sex or gender-based disadvantages or limitations of women, as a result of which women are denied or restricted in the recognition and protection of their rights and in their access to and enjoyment of opportunities, benefits, or privileges; or women, more than men, are shown to have suffered the greater adverse effects of those measures or practices.13 “Discrimination on the basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity” Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity includes any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on sexual orientation or gender identity which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing equality before the law or the equal protection of the law, or the recognition enjoyment or exercise, on an equal basis, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity may be, and commonly is, compounded by discrimination on other grounds, including gender, race, age, religion, disability, health and economic status.14 “Gender” refers to the attitudes, feelings, and behavior that a given culture associates with a person’s biological sex. Behavior that is compatible with cultural expectations is referred to as gender-normative; behaviors that are viewed as incompatible with these expectations constitute gender non-conformity.15 These social characteristics are constructed on the basis of different factors, such as age, religion, national, ethnic and social origin. They differ both within and between cultures and define identities, status, roles, responsibilities and power relations among the members of any society or culture. Gender 13 Magna Carta of Women, RA 9710 11 UN ESCAP (2012) Booklet 8: Education Sector Responses to Homophobic Bullying. 14 The Yogyakarta Principles. , Introduction to. Accessed on 3.19.2015 http://www.yogyakartaprinciples.org/principles_en.pdf 12 APA citing Ross & Paul, 1992, The Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients, adopted by the APA Council of Representatives, February 18-20, 2011. http:// www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/sexuality-definitions.pdf 15 The Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients, adopted by the APA Council of Representatives, February 18-20, 2011. http://www.apa.org/pi/ lgbt/resources/sexuality-definitions.pdf CHR Gender Ombud Guidelines