What it means
How a person outwardly presents themselves in ways a culture links with being masculine, feminine, both or neither. It is separate from gender identity (a person's inner sense of their gender) and from sexual orientation (who a person is attracted to). A person's gender expression may or may not match what others expect from the sex assigned at birth.
For the nurse
Do not guess a client's gender identity from how they look. Ask respectfully for the name and pronouns they use, use them consistently, and record them so the whole team does too.
Related terms
LGBTQIA+
A short form for sexual and gender minority groups: L lesbian, G gay, B bisexual, T transgender, Q queer or questioning, I intersex, A asexual, + others.