> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://coloradobehavioralhealthadministration.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Gender Codes

> Sex at birth, gender identity, and sexual orientation codes

## Overview

The CoBHRM data model captures three distinct concepts:

* **Sex at Birth** -- biological sex assigned at birth
* **Gender Identity** -- client's self-identified gender
* **Sexual Orientation** -- client's self-identified sexual orientation

> **[Sex at Birth](https://coloradobehavioralhealthadministration.mintlify.site/reference/appendix-a/gender-codes/sex-at-birth.md)**
>
> Biological sex assigned at birth codes

> **[Gender Identity](https://coloradobehavioralhealthadministration.mintlify.site/reference/appendix-a/gender-codes/gender-identity.md)**
>
> Self-identified gender codes

> **[Sexual Orientation](https://coloradobehavioralhealthadministration.mintlify.site/reference/appendix-a/gender-codes/sexual-orientation.md)**
>
> Self-identified sexual orientation codes

## Collection Guidelines

> [!TIP]
>
> These fields should be self-reported by the client. Do not make assumptions based on appearance or other characteristics.

### Best Practices

1. **Ensure privacy** -- collect in a private setting
2. **Use client's terminology** -- record what the client reports
3. **Explain purpose** -- help clients understand why data is collected
4. **Respect refusals** -- use code `98` when client declines

## Complete Example

```csv theme={null}
SEX_AT_BIRTH|GENDER_IDENTITY|SEXUAL_ORIENTATION
01|03|01
```

In this example:

* Sex at birth: Female (`01`)
* Gender identity: Cisgender (`03`)
* Sexual orientation: Heterosexual (`01`)


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