Transgender is an umbrella term describing people who do not "fit" into traditional gender categories; Transsexuals, cross-dressers, people who identify as gender queer and sometimes drag kings, drag queens or people who identify as butch or femme are often regarded by mainstream society as gender deviant. Many people who cross arbitrary gender boundaries embrace transgender identity, although it should not be assumed that all people who transgress, or are perceived to transgress, gender boundaries identify as transgender.

Because society in general expects strict gender conformity, transgender people (or people who are perceived to be transgender) may experience stigma and discrimination in jobs, churches and schools or from coworkers, families and friends. This stigma and/or discrimination may manifest as: dismissal or disbelief, harassment, refusal to give medical treatment, physical assault/targeted violence. Such examples of discrimination can be linked to transphobia, which is the fear and hatred of people who do or are perceived to transgress gender norms.

One instantiation of transphobia is evident in most health care communities. For some transgendered people, hormones or surgery may be necessary yet they face huge barriers to health services and some people even die because doctors still refuse basic care. Nearly all health insurance polices in the U.S. have specific exclusions which can lead to the denial of most basic health care needs (e.g. treatment for a cold or flu).

Most Trans-identified people are heterosexual and while some Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people transgress gender, most do not adopt trans-identity. These distinctions reiterate that gender identity and sexual orientation are separate, complex concepts. However, transphobia and homophobia share a common root: sexism. Thus, while transphobia is trans-specific and homophobia is specific to LGB people, the common link is that both phobias encompass the irrational, societal fear of actual or perceived gender disconformity. Also, LGB people as well as Trans-identified people face similar challenges in terms of coming out to and negotiating relationships with family, friends, co-workers and communities. These commonalities historically and presently connect the LGB and Transgender movements.

A social and support group for transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, and TG-questioning people and those who transgress gender binaries. This safe, open, and affirming space includes discussion and fellowship. Trans-friendly family, friends, and significant others are also welcome.

This group meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month in the Spectrum Center. To participate and to learn more, email PJ at pajeho@umich.edu.

These are working definitions. Many individuals and communities may define these terms differently, but these definitions are offered as a starting point.

General Terminology

sex:

The classification of people as male or female. At birth, infants are assigned a sex based on a combination of bodily characteristics including: chromosomes, hormones, internal reproductive organs, and genitals.

gender identity:

One's internal, personal sense of being a man or a woman (or a boy or girl.) For transgender people, their birth-assigned sex and their own internal sense of gender identity do not match.

gender expression:

External manifestation of one's gender identity, usually expressed through "masculine," "feminine" or gender variant behavior, clothing, haircut, voice or body characteristics. Typically, transgender people seek to make their gender expression match their gender identity, rather than their birth-assigned sex.

sexual orientation:

Describes an individual's enduring physical, romantic, emotional and/or spiritual attraction to another person. Gender identity and sexual orientation are not the same. Transgender people may be heterosexual, lesbian, gay, or bisexual. For example, a man who becomes a woman and is attracted to other women would be identified as a lesbian.

Transgender-Specific Terminology

transgender:

An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. The term may include but is not limited to: transsexuals, cross-dressers, and other gender-variant people. Many transgender people can identify as female-to-male (FTM) or male-to-female (MTF). Use the descriptive term (transgender, transsexual, cross-dresser, FTM or MTF) preferred by the transgender person. Transgender people may or may not choose to alter their bodies hormonally and/or surgically.

transsexual (transexual):

An older term which originated in the medical and psychological communities. Some transsexual people still prefer to use the term to describe themselves. However, unlike transgender, transsexual is not an umbrella term, and many transgender people do not identify as transsexual. It is best to ask which term an individual prefers.

transvestite:

DEROGATORY see cross-dressing

transition:

Altering one's birth sex is not a one-step procedure -- it is a complex process that takes place over a long period of time. Transition includes some or all of the following cultural, legal, and medical adjustments: telling one's family, friends, and/or co-workers; changing one's name and/or sex on legal documents; hormone therapy; and possibly (though not always) some form of chest and/or genital alteration.

Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS):

Refers to surgical alteration, and is only one small part of transition (see Transition above). Preferred term to "sex change operation." Not all transgender people choose to or can afford to have SRS. Journalists should avoid overemphasizing the importance of SRS to the transition process.

cross dressing:

To occasionally wear clothes traditionally associated with people of the other sex. Cross-dressers are usually comfortable with the sex they were assigned at birth and do not wish to change it. "Cross-dresser" should NOT be used to describe someone who has transitioned to live full-time as the other sex, or who intends to do so in the future. Cross-dressing is a form of gender expression and is not necessarily tied to erotic activity. Cross-dressing is not indicative of sexual orientation.

Gender Identity Disorder (GID):

A controversial DSM-IV diagnosis given to transgender and other gender-variant people. Because it labels people as "disordered," Gender Identity Disorder is often considered offensive. The diagnosis is frequently given to children who don't conform to expected gender norms in terms of dress, play or behavior. Such children are often subjected to intense psychotherapy, behavior modification and/or institutionalization. Replaces the outdated term "gender dysphoria."

intersex:

Describing a person whose biological sex is ambiguous. There are many genetic, hormonal or anatomical variations which make a person's sex ambiguous (i.e., Klinefelter Syndrome, Adrenal Hyperplasia). Parents and medical professionals usually assign intersex infants a sex and perform surgical operations to conform the infant's body to that assignment. This practice has become increasingly controversial as intersex adults are speaking out against the practice, accusing doctors of genital mutilation.

Transgender Terminology to Avoid / Problematic Terminology

problematic: "transgenders," "a transgender"

preferred: "transgender people," "a transgender person"

Transgender should be used as an adjective, not as a noun. Do not say, "Tony is a transgender," or "The parade included many transgenders." Instead say, "Tony is a transgender person," or "The parade included many transgender people."

problematic: "transgendered"

preferred: "transgender"

The word transgender never needs the extraneous "ed" at the end of the word. In fact, such a construction is grammatically incorrect. Only verbs can be transformed into participles by adding "-ed" to the end of the word, and transgender is an adjective, not a verb.

problematic: "sex change," "pre-operative," "post-operative"

preferred: "transition"

Referring to a sex change operation, or using terms such as pre- or post-operative, inaccurately suggests that one must have surgery in order to truly change one's sex.

problematic: "hermaphrodite"

preferred: "intersex person"

The word "hermaphrodite" is a stigmatizing and misleading word, usually used to sensationalize intersex people.

Defamatory Terminology

Defamatory: "deceptive," "fooling," "pretending," "posing," or "masquerading"

Gender identity is an integral part of a person's identity. Please do not characterize transgender people as "deceptive," as "fooling" other people, or as "pretending" to be, "posing" or "masquerading" as a man or a woman. Such descriptions are extremely insulting.

Defamatory: "she-male," "he-she," "it," "trannie," "tranny," "gender-bender"

These words only serve to dehumanize transgender people and should not be used.

Names and Pronoun Usage

We encourage you to use a transgender person's chosen name.

Often transgender people cannot afford a legal name change or are not yet old enough to change their name legally. They should be afforded the same respect for their chosen name as anyone else who lives by a name other than their birth name (e.g., celebrities).

We also encourage you to ask transgender people which pronoun they would like you to use.

A person who identifies as a certain gender, whether or not they have taken hormones or had surgery, should be referred to using the pronouns appropriate for that gender.

If it is not possible to ask the person which pronoun he or she prefers, use the pronoun that is consistent with the person's appearance and gender expression.

For example, if the person wears a dress and uses the name "Susan," feminine pronouns are appropriate. This is consistent with AP Stylebook guidelines.

NOTE:

It is never appropriate to put quotation marks around either the transgender person's chosen name or the pronoun that reflects their gender identity.