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Gender Terminology/FAQ

WHY DOES LANGUAGE MATTER?

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Using accurate terminology is one easy way to respect transgender people and those who are non-binary. Language has the power to validate and invalidate people’s identities. If we are willing to challenge the transphobic language that has infiltrated our society, then we can begin to to challenge the values that informed their creation. It can be hard to keep up with the most up-to-date, widely accepted terminology because language is ever-changing. Nevertheless, frequently updating your language allows you to reflect and embrace new ideas. If you are ever unsure of what language to use, mirror the language that others use for themselves. In other words, give the power to those individuals who are being defined or addressed.  

TERMS TO USE/AVOID

Transgender (adj.)

An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from what is typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth [...]

—GLAAD Media Reference Guide

Chart from GLAAD’s “An Ally’s Guide to Terminology”

GENDER ETC

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From her experiences of working with trans/gender non-conforming youth, developmental and clinical psychologist Dr. Diane Ehrensaft created a list of terms to further delineate the broad range of gender diverse children:

 

  • Transgender children: Affirm  that the gender they are is  opposite to the gender assigned at birth. They typically say they are a girl (boy), not that they want to be one. They represent a very small minority of gender nonconforming children. Many see these children as embracing a binary schema of gender in its extreme, simply reversing the gender box they live in, but albeit that this might be so, their gender expressions are often a fluid amalgam of many different “gender markers” of the culture.

  • Gender fluid children: Do not abide by the binary norms of gender prescribed by the culture but instead flow along the spectrum from male to female, but not necessarily with a cross-gender identification or identity.

  • Gender priuses: Think  of themselves as hybrids—half  boy, half girl, or some combination thereof (e.g., “I’m 60% girl, 40% boy”).

  • Gender tauruses: Similar to priuses, except they assert they are one gender on top, another on the bottom—a creative solution to a mismatch between genitalia and the mind’s messages to the child about his or her authentic gender.

  • Protogay children: Play at the margins of gender in the beginning stages of their gay development. They may remain gender fluid throughout their lives, or as they establish a gay identity may realize that earlier theories, such as loving a boy means having to become a girl, are untrue and that boys can love boys and girls can love girls. In early childhood, they typically do not say that they are a boy (girl), but that they want to be a boy (girl).

  • Prototransgender youth: First come out as gay or lesbian but then later discover  that they are not gay but actually transgender and therefore were living in an inauthentic gender identity. This appears to be more common in female-to-male  transgender than in male-to-female transgender youth and young adults.

  • Gender queer youth: Defy all categories of culturally defined gender altogether and prefer to identify as gender free, gender neutral, or outside gender at all.

  • Gender smoothies: As seen in the gender fluid youth and gender queer youth, metaphorically take everything about gender, throw it in the blender, and press the “on” button, creating a fusion of gender that is a mix of male, female, and other.

  • Gender oreos: Are layered in their gender, perhaps presenting as one gender on the outside, but feeling as another on the inside. These are often children who are hiding their authentic gender selves from public scrutiny or from their own psychic realization. (Ehrensaft 531)

FAQ

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How does someone know that they are transgender?

“People can realize that they're transgender at any age. Some people can trace their awareness back to their earlier memories – they just knew. Others may need more time to realize that they are transgender. Some people may spend years feeling like they don't fit in without really understanding why, or may try to avoid thinking or talking about their gender out of fear, shame, or confusion. Trying to repress or change one’s gender identity doesn’t work; in fact, it can be very painful and damaging to one’s emotional and mental health. As transgender people become more visible in the media and in community life across the country, more transgender people are able to name and understand their own experiences and may feel safer and more comfortable sharing it with others.

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For many transgender people, recognizing who they are and deciding to start gender transition can take a lot of reflection. Transgender people risk social stigma, discrimination, and harassment when they tell other people who they really are. Parents, friends, coworkers, classmates, and neighbors may be accepting—but they also might not be, and many transgender people fear that they will not be accepted by their loved ones and others in their life. Despite those risks, being open about one’s gender identity, and living a life that feels truly authentic, can be a life-affirming and even life-saving decision.” (National Center for Transgender Equality)

 

Is it okay to use the term “transexual”?

Transexual is “an older term that originated in the medical and psychological communities. Still preferred by some people who have permanently changed - or seek to change - their bodies through medical interventions, including but not limited to hormones and/or surgeries. Unlike transgender, transsexual is not an umbrella term. Many transgender people do not identify as transsexual and prefer the word transgender. It is best to ask which term a person prefers. If preferred, use as an adjective: transsexual woman or transsexual man.” (GLAAD)

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What’s the difference between sex and gender?

“Sex refers to the designation of a person at birth as either "male" or "female" based on their anatomy (e.g. reproductive organs) and/or their biology (e.g. hormones).” (Human Rights Campaign)

 

Gender is the interrelationship between one’s body, identity, and expression. (Gender Spectrum)

 

What is gender identity and gender expression?

“Gender identity refers to a person’s innate, deeply-felt psychological identification as a man, woman or some other gender.

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Gender expression refers to the external manifestation of a person’s gender identity, which may or may not conform to socially-defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.” (Human Rights Campaign)

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What does it mean to be “genderqueer”?

“An umbrella term for gender identities other than man and woman. People who identify as ‘genderqueer’ may see themselves as being both male and female, neither male nor female or as falling completely outside these categories. Use this term only when an individual self-identifies as ‘genderqueer.’” (Human Rights Campaign)

 

What is gender non-conforming?

“A broad term referring to people who do not behave in a way that conforms to the traditional expectations of their gender, or whose gender expression does not fit neatly into a category.” (Human Rights Campaign)

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What are commonly used pronouns?

“‘She/her/hers and he/him/his are a few commonly used pronouns. Some people call these ‘female/feminine’ and ‘male/masculine’ pronouns, but many avoid these labels because not everyone who uses he feels like a ‘male’ or ‘masculine.’

There are also lots of gender-neutral pronouns in use. Here are a few you might hear:

  • They/them/theirs (Shea ate their food because they were hungry.) This is a pretty common gender-neutral pronoun and it can be used in the singular. [...]

  • Ze/hir (Tyler ate hir food because ze was hungry.) Ze is pronounced like ‘zee’ can also be spelled zie or xe, and replaces she/he/they. Hir is pronounced like ‘here’ and replaces her/hers/him/his/they/theirs.

  • Just my name please! (Ash ate Ash’s food because Ash was hungry) Some people prefer not to use pronouns at all, using their name as a pronoun instead.” (University of Wisconsin Milwaukee)

 

What does it mean to transition?

“Transitioning is the time period during which a person begins to live according to their gender identity, rather than the gender they were thought to be at birth. While not all transgender people transition, a great many do at some point in their lives. Gender transition looks different for every person. Possible steps in a gender transition may or may not include changing your clothing, appearance, name, or the pronoun people use to refer to you (like ‘she,’ ‘he,’ or ‘they’). Some people are able to change their identification documents, like their driver’s license or passport, to reflect their gender. And some people undergo hormone therapy or other medical procedures to change their physical characteristics and make their body better reflect the gender they know themselves to be.

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Transitioning can help many transgender people lead healthy, fulfilling lives. No specific set of steps is necessary to ‘complete’ a transition—it’s a matter of what is right for each person. All transgender people are entitled to the same dignity and respect, regardless of which legal or medical steps they have taken.” (National Center for Transgender Equality)

 

What medical treatments do some transgender people seek when transitioning?

“Some, but not all, transgender people undergo medical treatments to make their bodies more congruent with their gender identity and help them live healthier lives.

While transition-related care is critical and even life-saving for many transgender people, not everyone needs medical care to transition or live a fulfilling life.

Different transgender people may need different types of transition-related care. [...] Medical procedures can include:

  • hair growth or removal treatments

  • hormone therapy

  • various surgeries to make one's face, chest, and anatomy more in line with one's gender identity” (National Center for Transgender Equality)

 

What is gender dysphoria?

“For some transgender people, the difference between the gender they are thought to be at birth and the gender they know themselves to be can lead to serious emotional distress that affects their health and everyday lives if not addressed. Gender dysphoria is the medical diagnosis for someone who experiences this distress.

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Not all transgender people have gender dysphoria. On its own, being transgender is not considered a medical condition. Many transgender people do not experience serious anxiety or stress associated with the difference between their gender identity and their gender of birth, and so may not have gender dysphoria.

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Gender dysphoria can often be relieved by expressing one’s gender in a way that the person is comfortable with. That can include dressing and grooming in a way that reflects who one knows they are, using a different name or pronoun, and, for some, taking medical steps to physically change their body.” (National Center for Transgender Equality)

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Outdated: Gender Identity Disorder

 

Why is transgender equality important?

“Transgender people should be treated with the same dignity and respect as anyone else and be able to live, and be respected, according to their gender identity. But transgender people often face serious discrimination and mistreatment at work, school, and in their families and communities.” (National Center for Transgender Equality)

According to the "2015 U.S. Trans Survey," a report by the National Center for Transgender Equality:

  • 29% of transgender people live in poverty, compared to 14% of the general population

  • 30% of transgender people report being homeless at some point in their lives, with 12% saying it was within the past 12 months

  • Transgender people experience unemployment at 3x the rate of the general population, with rates for people of color up to 4x the national unemployment rate

  • 30% of transgender people report being fired, denied a promotion, or experiencing mistreatment in the workplace due to their gender identity in the past 12 months

  • 31% of transgender people experienced mistreatment in the past year in a place of public accommodation, including 14% who were denied equal service, 24% who were verbally harassed, and 2% who were physically attacked because they were transgender

  • 40% of respondents reported attempting suicide in their lifetime, nearly nine times the attempted suicide rate in the United States (4.6%)

© 2018 by Hometown, USA. 

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