Glossary of Transgender Terms By Warren J. Blumenfeld Reprinted with permission. Though sometimes connected and overlapping, the following categories of sexual and gender identity are often distinct and unique. It must be emphasized, that unanimity of opinion does not exist on either the definitions of these terms, or even on which terms are essential to include. AFFECTIONAL ORIENTATION: This is determined by whom we feel comfortable "hanging out with, whom we are close to in a primarily non-erotic way. Most people seem to have a "Bi-affectional orientation"with males and females, though as noted below, some theorize that, in actuality, there are more than simply two sexes. BIOLOGICAL (sometimes referred to as CHROMOSOMAL) SEX: This can be considered as our "packaging and is determined by our chromosomes (XX for females, XY for males); our hormones (estrogen and progesterone for females, testosterone for males); and our internal and external genitalia (vulva, clitoris, vagina for females, penis and testicles for males). About 4% of the population can be defined as "intersexuals born with biological aspects of both sexes to varying degrees. Therefore, in actuality, there are more than two sexes. CORE GENDER IDENTITY (or simply, GENDER IDENTITY): This is the individual,s innermost concept of self as "male or "female"what we perceive and call ourselves. Though the formation of gender identity is a complex process, it is thought that individuals develop this generally between the ages of 18 months and 3 years, though many current theories posit that this begins to be formed before birth. Most people develop a (core) gender identity aligning with their biological sex. For some, however, their gender identity is different from their biological sex. CROSS-DRESSER (CD): Someone who on occasion wears what is currently considered the clothes of the other sex(es) to relieve gender discomfort. Cross-dressers want to appear as "convincing as possible as their other selves. A large subset of this group are men who enjoy dressing as women, and have otherwise ordinary marriages with wives who are not transgendered. Many say this term is preferable to transvestite, which means the same thing. CROSS-LIVING: Living full-time in the preferred gender image, [other] than one,s assigned sex at birth, [sometimes] in preparation for a sex-change operation, [sometimes not]. DIRECTION: Which way one is crossing the gender line. MTF (see below) is one direction, FTM (see below) is [another]. DRAB: Means DRessed As Boy, referring to [what is currently considered as male] clothes or in [male,s] clothes, used mainly by gender benders and cross-dressers of both directions. Not used as frequently as the word drag. DRAG: Originally used (1) in Shakespeare,s Globe Theater to mean DRessed As Girl, referring to male actors (there were no actresses) playing female roles. Now (2) mainly used by gender benders and cross-dressers of both directions to mean women,s clothes or in women,s clothes. Also (3) refers to any specialized type of clothing as in, "my father walked in in full military drag. DRAG QUEEN: (1) A gay man who from time to time wears women,s clothes, generally without attempting to be "convincing. (2) Some people who are more accurately referred to as MTF cross-dressers or transsexuals [who] are sometimes called drag queens. DRAG KING: ESTROGEN: The "female sex hormone. Actually, both [males] and [females] have estrogen in their systems, [but] women have a great deal more of it. Estrogen can be administered in both pill and injection form. FORMER TRANSSEXUAL: Some say that (1) once a transsexual has completed surgery, they are no longer transsexuals. (Contrast this with definition 2 of transsexual"see below.) A compromise view might be that a former transsexual is (2) one who has completed surgery, and no longer wants anything t do with the transsexual community. FTM: (1) Female-To-Male [cross-dresser or transsexual]. (It is more [acceptable] to use the abbreviations rather than the complete phrase, except to explain it to someone who doesn't,t know what FTM stands for.) Also abbreviated as F2M, [or FtM]. FTM is also (2) the name of a group that is for FTM TS,s and TV,s. GENDER BENDER: Anyone crossing the gender line who does not care about appearing "convincing. Example: a man wearing a dress, who looks like a man wearing a dress, and doesn't,t care if he does look like a man wearing a dress. Drag queens are the major group within this category. GENDER COMMUNITY: The [transgender] community of all cross-dressers, transsexuals, and gender benders, and anywhere they meet. GENDER DISCOMFORT: Like gender dysphoria (see below), but not quite that [severe]. Occasional cross-dressing often provides sufficient relief. GENDER DYSPHORIA: Literally, it is being unhappy with the gender you are (physically anatomically, prior to changing anything). Full-blown gender dysphoria syndrome is the same as transsexualism. GENDER IMAGE: The way one presents oneself to the world, as either male or female. GENDER ROLE (sometimes called SEX ROLE): This is the set of socially-defined roles and behaviors assigned to females and males. This can vary from culture to culture. Our society recognizes basically two distinct gender roles. One is the masculine: having the qualities or characteristics attributed to males. The other is the feminine: having the qualities or characteristics attributed to females. (A third gender role, rarely, though possibly increasingly, condoned in our society, is androgyny combining assumed male (andro) and female (gyne) qualities.) Some people step out of their socially-assigned gender roles or "crossdress (wear the clothing traditionally reserved for the other sex). Though not universal or even precise, some of the terms used to identify these individuals include "transvestites (often heterosexual males and females who crossdress), "Drag Queens (male homosexuals who crossdress), "Drag Kings (female homosexuals who crossdress). IN TRANSITION: (1) In the process of [sexual] transition (see below). (2) A synonym for pre-op (see below). INTERSEX (or INTERSEXUAL): [Persons] born with the full or partial sex organs of [male and female], or with underdeveloped or ambiguous sex organs. About 4% of all births are intersex to some degree. (This word replaces the politically incorrect hermaphrodite.) MTF: Male-To-Female, [cross-dresser or transsexuals]. (It is more [acceptable] to use the abbreviations rather than the complete phrase, except to explain it to someone who doesn't,t know what MTF stands for.) Also abbreviated as M2F, [or MtF]. NEW MAN: (1) Post-operative FTM transsexual. Also sometimes used to mean (2) and FTM transsexual who is well along in the transition process. NEW WOMAN: (1) Post-operative MTF transsexual. First used in a 1952 newspaper article in reference to Christine Jorgensen. Also sometimes used to mean (2) an MTF transsexual who is well along in the transition process. NON-OP: Same as nonsurgical transsexual (see below). NONSURGICAL TRANSSEXUAL: Transsexuals who seek sex reassignment through hormones and who cross-live, but stop just short of surgery. Some (1) have concerns about major surgery, which is not always successful. Others (2) have been unable to obtain the money necessary and have essentially given up on this final step (are "in limbo). Yet others (3) feel they are complete without surgery and are the same as definition 1 of transgender (see below). Others still (4) cannot have surgery due to special health problems. PASS: [This] means to be in [one,s] preferred gender image, and to be able to do so convincingly. PASSING WOMAN: (1) Chiefly used in the historical sense to refer to a non-transgendered woman living as a man in order to have access to careers and lifestyles only available to men at that time. (2) Some historical figures who would today be more accurately called FTM transsexuals or transsexual men are sometimes referred as passing women. POST-OP: Transsexuals who have had sex-change operation(s), and now have the physical anatomy they desire. PRE-OP: Transsexuals who have not yet had their sex-change [reassignment] operation(s), but who are working towards it. SEX-REASSIGNMENT SURGERY (SRS): Sex-change operation. SEXUAL (or EROTIC) ORIENTATION: This is determined by whom we are sexually (or erotically) attracted"our sexual/erotic drives, desires, fantasies. Categories of sexual orientation include homosexuals"gay, lesbian"attracted to some members of the same sex; bisexuals, attracted to some members of both sexes to varying degrees; heterosexuals, attracted to some members of the other sex; and asexuals, attracted to neither sex. Some sexuality researchers suggest that pederasts (adults sexually/erotically attracted to children) might be considered a separate sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is believed to be influenced by a variety of factors including genetics and hormones, as well as unknown environmental factors. Though the origins of sexual orientation are not completely understood, it is generally believed to be established during early childhood, usually before the age of five. SEXUAL BEHAVIOR: This is what we do sexually and with whom. Though we are not certain what influences determine a person,s primary sexual attractions (sexual orientation), our culture can heavily influence peoples, actions and sexual behaviors. For example, one may have a "homosexual orientation, but due to overriding condemnations against same-sex sexual expression, may "pass by having sex only with people of the other sex. Sexuality researcher Alfred C. Kinsey and his colleagues devised a seven-point scale to chart the full spectrum of human sexual behavior, with "0 representing those whose histories are exclusively heterosexual, and "6 for those who are exclusively homosexual in behavior. Others were placed along the scale depending on the percentage of heterosexual (other sex) or homosexual (same sex) sexual expression in relation to overall behavior. Kinsey,s findings and other studies also suggest that sexuality is indeed more fluid and complex than once believed. SEXUAL IDENTITY: This is what we call ourselves. Such labels include "lesbian, "gay, "bisexual, "bi, "queer, "questioning, "undecided, "undetermined, "heterosexual, "straight, "asexual, and others. Sexual identity evolves through a multi-stage developmental process that has been charted by a number of researchers. This progression varies in intensity and duration depending on the individual. Our sexual behavior and how we define ourselves (our identity) can be chosen. Though some people claim their sexual orientation is also a choice, for others, this does not seem to be the case. TESTOSTERONE: The "male sex hormone. Actually, males and females, [as well as intersexuals] have testosterone in their systems, [though] males just have a great deal more of it. Some testosterone is necessary to have a sex drive. Since it is destroyed by stomach acid [when taken in pill form], most supplemental testosterone is delivered via injections. T-FRIENDLY: Any organization or institution that is accepting of transgendered peoples and their needs. Contrast with transphobic (see below). TRANSGENDER (TG): Originally, this word meant (1) what are also known as full-time cross-dressers or nonsurgical transsexuals, people who live and work in the [other] (of their physical anatomical) [sex], continuously and for always. Now it also means (2) the group of all people who are inclined to cross the gender line, including transsexuals, cross-dressers, and gender benders together. This is the main way the word is used today, and is referred to as the "umbrella definition as it covers everyone. A few [people] use the word transgender as (3) a synonym for transsexual. TRANSGENDERIST: Same as definition 1 of transgender (see above). Those who mean definition 1 of transgender now tend to use transgenderist to avoid confusion. TRANSITION: The process of changing sex, including hormones, cross-living (see above), and finally surgery. A practical minimum for this process is about two years, but usually it takes longer, sometimes much longer. TRANSPHOBIA/TRANSPHOBIC: The fear and hatred of cross-dressers, transsexuals, and gender benders and what they do [or are feared to do], and everything that results from this, from disrespect, to denial of rights and needs, to violence. Though some have defined this as an "irrational fear and hatred, in actuality, from the time most of us are young, people and institutions (parents/guardians, peers, teachers, clergy, the media, etc.) have taught us to conform to societal notions of "proper gender behavior, and to hold in contempt those who challenge or transgress these standards. Transphobia is indeed a form of oppression. TRANSSEXUAL (TS): Anyone who (1) wants to have, (2) has had, or (3) should have a sex-change operation. (The third definition is for those in denial.) This word also includes (4) nonsurgical transsexuals (see above). TS,s want to appear "convincing as their new selves. TRANSSEXUAL FEMALE/WOMAN: An MTF TS. The medical literature tends to use the extremely demeaning term male transsexual to mean the same thing. Note that one can usually tell the preferred form is in use when the gender word comes after the "T word. TRANSSEXUAL MALE/MAN: An FTM TS. The medical literature tends to use the extremely demeaning term female transsexual to mean the same thing. Note that one can usually tell the preferred form is in use when the gender word comes after the "T word. TRANSVESTITE (TV): Same as cross-dresser (see above). Most [people] feel that cross-dresser is the preferred term.

© Copyright 1995-2005 OutProud. Outpath™, QueerAmerica™ and TransProud™ are trademarks and OutProud® is a registered trademark of OutProud. Use subject to Terms of Service. Our Privacy Policy protects you.