TransTerminology

Please understand that these terms are dynamic and this is by no means a complete list or is it meant to be "final" or "right".  Each of us will interpret things slightly differently, however in my research of gender identity and sexual orientation these terms are my understanding of the accepted meanings.  Terms that are underlined have a link to further information, simply click on the term to access.  Androgynous - The absence of gender or a mixture of both traits to result in a neutral appearance.  This is an appearance or presentation chosen by the individual. 

Asexual – Indicating lack of interest in sexual activity.

Assigned  Gender – The declaration by doctors of what one’s gender is based upon what one’s genitalia appears to be at birth.  One is then expected to grow up and exist within a certain set of gender roles “appropriate” to one’s assigned gender.

Bisexual – Sexual attraction to both men and woman, the gender of the partner is not a factor in choosing them. 

Closet, In the – Not disclosing or being secretive about the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of oneself.

Coming Out – the process of becoming aware of, understanding, and accepting the sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression of oneself.   Also, the ongoing process of decision making about the level of openness a person feels in disclosing such information about oneself to others.

Crossdresser - a person who wears the socially assigned clothes of the opposite gender in a temporary fashion and often behind closed doors.

DRAG – Dressed As a Girl, Wearing the clothes of the female sex.  Originally used in the theatre of Old England (Shakespeare is often attributed the honor of inventing this term) when women were not allowed to perform so the men played female parts.  Now days it is still used for theatrical purposes, but also carries the implication of being Gay or Transgender.  See “Drag Queen”.

Drag Queen – A gay male who dresses in women’s clothing, usually in an extravagant manner and often will perform on stage (i.e. Drag Show).  Usually this is done for fun and has become popular with heterosexual woman and men who are comfortable with their sexuality.  It is also done to attract the attention of other men. 

Female Impersonator – A male who performs in the role of a female, sometimes lip synching , sometimes able to sing or speak in a female voice,  exaggerating the mannerisms of the star being impersonated.  " La Cage show" in Las Vegas is a good example.  Often but not necessarily a gay man. 

Feminine – The traits of a woman such as soft, curvy, voluptuous, attractive, receptive, sutle,  gentle and serene. Often this energy is slow moving and emotional.  It is equated with the Yin in the Eastern philosophies.  This term can be somewhat ambiguous and depends on use, location and nationality of user.  It can be referred to as a feeling or an appearance. 

Femme – This term can be used to identify any person who expresses and/or presents culturally/stereotypically feminine characteristics.  A person, who self-identifies, mainly with the stereotypically feminine end of a gender characteristic spectrum.

FtoM – Female to Male transsexual

Full-time – Living 24/7; living all the time as the gender which one self-identifies.

Gay – A man who is attracted to other men.  See “Homosexual”

Gender Identity – Separate from an individual’s physical sex or sexual orientation (hetero, homo, bi, or asexual), it is an individual’s perception of the inner self as masculine or feminine. 

Gender Dysphoria – The condition where a person’s gender identity is incongruent with their anatomical sex.

Gender Expression - All of a person's external characteristics and behaviors such as dress, grooming, mannerisms, speech patterns and social interactions that are socially identified with a particular gender. 

Gender Identity Disorder – The American Psychiatric Association’s terminology for Gender Dysphoria.  There is no known cure for GID except to transition the patient to the opposite gender.

Genderqueer - A person who "bends" the socially accepted "rules" of gender presentation.  Often used as a catchall term for anyone not fitting into gender roles, and feels like they do not fit the other terms. 

Gender Reassignment Surgery(GRS) – see Sexual Reassignment Surgery, the acronym (GRS) is sometimes referred to as Genital Reassignment Surgery and is more accurate than gender reassignment, since gender is innate and does not change.  

Gender Role – Society’s expectations of how a certain gender should behave.  These expectations are changing as society grows and are becoming more universal and nondescript. 

Getting Read – Being detected as a person who is crossdressed.

Heterosexual – A person who is attracted to the opposite sex or gender.

Homosexual – A person who is attracted to the same sex or gender.

Hormone Therapy – The medical administration of hormones to suppress existing hormones and supply the hormones of the perceived gender. 

Intersex – An individual born with both male and female sexual characteristics.  Historically called hermaphrodite, however this term is no longer in use.

Lesbian – A woman who is attracted to other women, see “Homosexual”.

Man – A person who presents themselves as “male” or a male gender role.  Some FtoM transgender and transexual individuals see themselves as a man in a female body.

Masculine – The traits of a man, such as strong, hard, angular, rough, aggressive, giving and active.   This energy is often fast moving and less emotional than the feminine.  It is equated with the Yang in the Eastern philosophies.  This term is often ambiguous and can be a feeling or an appearance.

MtoF – Male to Female transsexual

Non-Operative (Non-Op) – A term to describe transgender individuals who have not had and may not desire to have sexual reassignment surgery.

Pansexual – A person who is sexually attracted to people of all genders and gender expressions.  This is not to be confused with bisexual who is attracted to both male and female gender.  Pansexuality denotes the potential of sexual attraction to all genders and beings. It is intended to negate the idea of two genders (as expressed by bi-).

Passing – The ability to go undetected as a transgender person, also applies to crossdressing.

Poly-amorus - Participating in mulitiple simultaneous loving or sexual relationships.

Post-operative (Post-op) – A term used to describe transsexual individuals who have undergone SRS.

Pre-operative (Pre-op) – A term used to describe transsexual individuals who plan to have SRS.

Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS) – When an individual’s sex organs are surgically altered to match the inner perceived gender.  Basically a male sex organ is changed to a female appearance, or a female sex organ is changed to appear as male as possible. The new techniques are quite advanced and very realistic with the appropriate sensations when done well.

Standards of Care – The medical protocol defining the controlled process consisting of psychological therapy, hormone therapy, real life test, transitioning to the desired gender and sexual reassignment surgery

Transition - movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another. In relation to gender it is the period when a person begins living in the desired gender in gradual stages. It is often a very long process involving years and involves physical, mental, and spiritual changes

Transvestite  - A person who dresses and acts in a style or manner traditionally associated with the opposite sex, often doing this full time.  This term is no longer regularly used.

Transgender - a person appearing or attempting to be a member of the opposite sex, such as a transsexual or habitual crossdresser.  This term is often used to include the entire community of individuals who cross gender boundaries on a consistent basis.

Transsexual - a person having a strong desire to assume the physical characteristics and gender role of the opposite sex. And who has undergone hormone treatment and surgery to attain the physical characteristics of the opposite sex.

Two-Spirit – A term adopted in 1990 by the the third annual intertribal Native American/First Nations gay and lesbian conference to refer to Native Americans who are believed to have both male and female souls in one body. 

Woman – A person who identifies and presents themselves as a “female” or a female gender role.  Some MtoF transgender and transexual individuals see themselves as a woman in a male body.

DEFAMATORY TERMINOLOGY - Meaning it is defamatory to use these terms to describe Transgender persons.

Deceptive, fooling, pretending, poising, masquerading,

She-Male, he-she, it, trannie, tranny, gender-bender

It is requested that a transgender person be called by their name that coordinates with their chosen gender.  Please use the appropriate pronoun also.  The general rule is to go by the gender presentation, but if you do not know, just ASK.