[7] Gender identity can be expressed through behavior, clothing, hair, makeup, voice, body language and other aspects of one's external appearance.
[11] Others may prefer a gender-neutral or androgynous appearance, or may choose to present differently depending on the situation or context.
Studies on adolescents conducted by Stacey Horn, showed that gay and lesbian individuals who did not express themselves as their assigned gender were seen as less acceptable.
Lisa Disch states that it explains why people tend to assume someone's gender expression based on their sex and sexuality.
This idea was seen in figures in 1950s New York gay culture: effeminate men referred to as "fairies", as well as butch lesbians.
In a study done by Steph M. Anderson, she found that in discriminatory situations, participants' gender affected whether or not they were perceived as LGBTQ.
For example, lesbians who presented femininely may be more comfortable in healthcare spaces than people whose expression does not match their assigned gender.
A 2017 study reported that when masculine presenting lesbians are made to dress in a feminine style, their confidence suffers greatly.
In academic sources, a feminine gender expression in a male (of any orientation) may be called gynemimesis (adjective: gynemimetic).