I don’t know how many readers know exactly what it means to identify as Transgender so this page is first for education of LGB (Lesbian gay and bi-sexual) Cis-gender straight ally’s. It will also be a reference for “new” Trans* individuals (mostly for trans men, sorry ladies but I don’t know as much about MtF transitions :/). To help you guys and ladies along your journey.
So first a quick rundown of some terms that I will most likely use often on my blog.
Trans*
I almost always use an * at the end to signify the fact that it is an “umbrella” term encompassing many different forms and identities.
Typically a shorthand version of “Transgender” which as defined by transequality.org is:
- A term for people whose gender identity, expression or behavior is different from those typically associated with their assigned sex at birth. Transgender is a broad term and is good for non- transgender people to use. (Note: Transgender is correctly used as an adjective, not a noun, thus “transgender people” is appropriate but “transgenders” is often viewed as disrespectful.)
Transsexual: definition via transequality.org
- An older term for people whose gender identity is different from their assigned sex at birth who seeks to transition from male to female or female to male. Many do not prefer this term because it is thought to sound overly clinical.
Cross Dresser: *Note* This is the preferred term over “Transvestite”
- A term for people who dress in clothing traditionally or stereotypically worn by the other sex, but who generally have no intent to live full-time as the other gender. The older term “transvestite” is considered derogatory by many in the United States.
I would also like to note that Drag Queens and Drag Kings are different than both Transgender people and Cross dressers. The Term Drag Queen or Drag King are typically used for performers who dress as the opposite gender for shows and performances. While some identify as Transgender later, typically Drag performers are “in costume” playing a character which is opposite to their own gender identity. *Still it is NOT appropriate to refer to a drag king or queen while in drag by their legal name, or by their birth gender*.
Cisgender: as defined by queer dictionary
associated terms: Cis, Cis-man, Cis-woman, Bio-man, Bio-Woman
- A cisgender person is someone who identifies as they gender/sex they were assigned at birth. For example, your birth certificate says female, and you identify as a female woman.
- The colloquial use of cisgender suggests that it is the opposite of transgender. If you’re not trans*, then you’re cis (abbreviated form of cisgender). This is not entirely true, because there are people who transition (eg. take hormones, identify as a different gender than what they were assigned with at birth, surgeries, etc.) who do not identify as trans* or transgender.
PGP
- Short hand for “Preferred gender pronoun” meaning what pronoun matches someones gender identity options include but are not limited to: He (masculine) She (Feminine) They (Gender Neutral), Ze (Gender Neutral), and more.
Trans Man:
short hand form of Transgender Man which is defined by transequality.org as:
- A term for a transgender person who currently identifies as a man
FtM:
also short hand form of Transgender Man and in more depth:
- A person who transitions from “female-to-male,” meaning a person who was assigned female at birth, but identifies and lives as a male. Also known as a “transgender man.”
Trans Woman:
Short hand form of Transgender Woman which is defined by transeqaulity.org as:
- A term for a transgender person who currently identifies as a woman
MtF:
also short hand form of Transgender Woman and in more depth:
- A person who transitions from “male-to-female,” meaning a person who was assigned male at birth, but identifies and lives as a female. Also known as a “transgender woman.”
Transition: as defined by transequailty.org
associated term: Medical transition.
- The time when a person begins living as the gender with which they identify rather than the gender they were assigned at birth, which often includes changing one’s first name and dressing and grooming differently. Transitioning may or may not also include medical and legal aspects, including taking hormones, having surgery, or changing identity documents (e.g. driver’s license, Social Security record) to reflect one’s gender identity. Medical and legal steps are often difficult for people to afford.
Gender Identity:as defined by transequality.org
- An individual’s internal sense of being male, female, or something else. Since gender identity is internal, one’s gender identity is not necessarily visible to others.
Gender Expression: as defined by transequality.org
- How a person represents or expresses one’s gender identity to others, often through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, voice or body characteristics
Sexual Orientation: as defined by transequality.org *note* this is totally and completely separate from gender identity and identifying as Transgender.
- A term describing a person’s attraction to members of the same sex and/or a different sex, usually defined as lesbian, gay, bisexual, heterosexual, pansexual or asexual.
I would just like to note that for the most part these definitions are solid. However, it is never a good idea to assume anything about someone just based on what you “think” you understand. Everyone is different, many people who identify as trans* or genderqueer only do so in certain circumstances or with certain people. It is NEVER ok to assume that if someone is out to you about their gender identity that you can out them to other people.
From S to J 