Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. Gender identity is a person’s internal sense of being male, female, or something else. Sex is a person’s biological sex, which is typically assigned at birth based on their genitalia.

A transgender person may identify as the opposite gender of the one they were assigned at birth, or they may identify as a gender that is not male or female. Some transgender people may choose to transition, which may involve changing their name, pronouns, clothing, and/or body through medical procedures such as hormone therapy or surgery.

Not all transgender people choose to transition, and there is no one right way to be transgender. Transgender people are just as diverse as any other population group, and they come from all walks of life.

Here are some additional terms that you may hear in relation to transgender people:

  • Cisgender:A person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
  • Gender dysphoria:A condition in which a person experiences distress because their gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth.
  • Gender expression:The way a person communicates their gender identity to others through their appearance, clothing, behavior, and/or voice.
  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT):A medical treatment that involves taking hormones to align a person’s body with their gender identity.
  • Gender-affirming surgery:A medical procedure that changes a person’s body to align with their gender identity.

It is important to remember that transgender people are just like everyone else. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and they should be able to live their lives without fear of discrimination or violence.

Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. In other words, it refers to individuals who do not identify exclusively with the gender typically associated with their biological sex.

Biological sex is assigned at birth based on physical characteristics such as reproductive organs, chromosomes, and hormone levels. Typically, individuals are assigned male or female at birth based on these physical traits. However, gender identity is a deeply felt sense of being male, female, or another gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth.

Transgender individuals may identify as male, female, both, or neither. Some transgender individuals may pursue various forms of gender transition, which can include social, medical, and/or legal steps to align their gender identity with their outward appearance and lived experiences. This may involve hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgeries, changes in name and gender markers on official documents, and social transition such as changing pronouns and gender presentation.

It’s important to note that transgender experiences and identities are diverse, and individuals may have different ways of understanding and expressing their gender. It is crucial to respect and affirm each individual’s self-identified gender identity and use their preferred name and pronouns.