Transgender Terminology
TRANSGENDER is when a person’s physical sex (assigned at birth) doesn’t match their gender identity.
TRANSGENDER is an adjective. It is not a noun. It is not a verb. “Transgendered” is not a word. A person is not “a transgender.”
While TRANSGENDER is about gender, TRANSSEXUAL is about the scientific assignment of sex at birth. A transsexual person has physically changed their body to match their gender. A person can be transgender without being transsexual.
A person who has had gender reassignment surgery is almost always BOTH transgender AND transsexual.
We don’t use “transsexual” very often any more because because the current issue surrounds the transgender piece.
A CROSSDRESSER is different entirely. A man who dresses in women’s clothing, or a woman who dresses in men’s clothing is a crossdresser. These folks can be cis or LGBT or anyone.
CISgender (or cis)— When one’s sex and gender match what they were assigned at birth.
Do NOT EVER use the wordS TRANSVESTITE or TRANNY or HERMAPHRODITE. Just don’t. They are offensive and insensitive. Don’t be a jerk.
INTERSEX is when one is born with neither, both, or ambiguous genitalia.
AMAB — Assigned male at birth. A transwoman is AMAB. You may also refer to this woman/girl as transfeminine/transfemme, or trans feminine/trans femme.
AFAB — Assigned female at birth. A transman is AFAB. You may also refer to this man/boy as transmasculine, or trans masc.
DEADNAME— The name a trans individual was given at birth. It usually matches the gender assigned at birth due to their sex. They’ve since changed it. They don’t want to hear it. They probably don’t want to say it. And don’t EVER ask, “What’s you real name? or “What’s your birth name?” Just don’t. It’s rude. The way they introduce themself is what they want you to call them.
TRANS is a good word. (My son is trans.)
Unless the transgender piece is necessary to the conversation, a transwoman, transgirl, transman, or transboy can simply be referred to as a woman, a girl, a man, or a boy. That’s the goal, actually.
There are a few differing opinions on some terms. Some like a space (trans woman), while others don’t mind. Some use “transgenderism” freely while others scream about it in offense. As a community, we’re still working out the kinks. Just be aware, be compassionate, and keep paying attention and you should be fine.
I’m still learning. I hope this tiny primer has helped in your understanding of some of the most basic terms and ideas behind the transgender issue. I have more to learn. If you’d like more explanation, need more clarification, disagree, or want to point out an error, please comment or email me.
I’m working on a glossary of all LGBT terms. It should publish sometime before I die.
For a more in depth, while still basic look at the transgender issue, go here: https://medium.com/@transevangelicalmom/some-transgender-basics-b8357f934f66