Care and Support for the LGBTQ+ Community

What Does the word "transgender" mean?

Transgender – or trans – is a broad term for people whose gender identity or expression is different from their biological sex at birth.

What is gender identity and gender expression?

Gender identity refers to a person's innate, deeply-felt identification as a man, woman or some other gender (non-binary). Gender expression refers to the outward display of a person's gender identity. This display may or may not conform to socially-defined behaviors and traits linked with being either male or female.

What is the difference between sex and gender?

Sex refers to the biological make-up of a person at birth as either "male" or "female". It's based on chromosomes (XX=female, XY=male). Gender refers to the ways society believes are correct for men and women to act in regard to:

• Roles
• Behaviors
• Activities
• Attributes

What does it mean to transition?

When someone "transitions" it means the process some transgender people go through to begin living as the gender with which they identify. This may or may not include:

• Hormone therapy
• Sex change surgery
• Other medical procedures

What do the initials FTM and MTF stand for?

FTM stands for female-to-male. It refers to someone who is female at birth but identifies and expresses himself as a man. Many FTM transgender people prefer the term "trans man" to describe themselves. MTF stands for male-to-female and refers to someone who is male at birth but who identifies and expresses herself as a woman. Many MTF transgender people prefer the term "trans woman" to describe themselves.

What does it mean to be "genderqueer"?

Genderqueer is a broad term for gender identities other than man or woman. People who identify as "genderqueer" may see themselves as:

• Being both male and female
• Neither male nor female
• Outside of being male or female

What is gender nonconforming?

Gender nonconforming is a general term for people who do not behave in a way that conforms to the likely actions of their gender. Or, whose gender expression does not fit neatly into a category.

What is the difference between being transgender and being gay?

Being transgender is about a person's gender identity. Being gay is about who a person is attracted to sexually. Gay people like people of the same gender, different genders or both.

Is there a difference between cross-dressing and being transgender?

Yes, cross-dressing refers to people who wear clothes and/or makeup and gear that is not usually linked with their biological sex. Many people who cross-dress are happy with their sex and normally do not wish to change it. Cross-dressing is a form of gender expression that does not reflect a person's gender identity or sexual orientation.

Is being transgender a mental disorder?

No, but this remains a common stereotype about transgender people.

Transgender identity is not a mental illness that can be cured with treatment.³ Rather, transgender people often have a strong and real disconnect between their biological sex and their inner sense of who they are. This is known by medical experts as "gender dysphoria". And it can cause undue pain and distress in the lives of transgender people.

Do all people who transition have surgery?

No, many transgender people can transition well without surgery. Some have no desire to pursue surgeries or medical treatment of any kind. At the same time, many transgender people can't afford or access medical treatment. It is important that civil rights and protections are offered to all transgender people equally, despite their medical histories.

How do I know which pronoun to use?

Transgender people should be recognized with their preferred pronoun. Often this is the pronoun that matches the gender with which they identify. Not sure? It's proper to kindly ask their name and which pronouns they'd prefer.

Can someone be fired for being transgender?

There are states where there is no state law that protects transgender people from being fired for being who they are. In the 2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey, 47 percent of respondents stated they had a negative job outcome because they were transgender or gender non-conforming. This included:

• Being fired
• Not being hired
• Denied promotion