Glossaries

This page is an attempt to provide basic information and vocabulary to enable you to interact with members of the transgendered communities as a respectful and informed individual, rather than one who knows nothing (and by inference probably does not care) about their community, the oppression they deal with, and their personal experiences.

The definitions were collected by a transsexual-identified, middle-class white Army brat from the Southeast US. The definitions of these words are not standardized and are used differently by different individuals and in different regions or countries. Meanings also change over time. Concepts and attitudes toward gender and sexual identity are changing in society as a whole (albeit slowly), as well as within the Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgender (LGBT) communities. Therefore, the meanings of these words will continue to change. Further, terms considered derogatory at first may be reclaimed and become accepted.

Though sometimes connected and overlapping, the following categories of sexual and gender identity are often distinct and unique. It must be emphasized, that unanimous opinion does not exist on either the definitions of these terms, or even on which terms are essential to include.

These definitions are mostly based on the "normal" (and invalid) assumption that there are two, and only two, each of sexes, genders, and sex/gender roles, which are separate and distinct from one another. Many people see gender role, gender, and sex as overlapping, closely related, or as a limited view or model of a much richer reality. For instance, some hermaphrodite and neuter people regard themselves as male or female, while others regard themselves as neither. Not everyone uses these terms to distinguish between physical sex and social role, and some people may not even know what is meant by them. Some people may use different terms (e.g. some transsexuals regard themselves as a third sex.) But these terms are used here because they are in wide use.

Sexual Identity and Gender Identity are similar in some ways and very different in others. Both refer to how one thinks of oneself, but gender identity is based on which gender role one identifies with, and sexual identity is based on whether one's romantic or sexual attractions are to members of the same or another gender/sex. The existence and perpetuation of gender identities and sexual identities is based at least in part in the historic and continuing oppression of people who do not conform to certain aspects of society's gender roles. Sex, gender identity, and sexual identity refer to different aspects of oneself. Therefore, one may be any combination or blend of sex (e.g. male, female, intersex, neuter), gender (e.g. masculine, feminine, androgynous), and sexual identity (e.g. straight, bisexual, lesbian/gay, asexual.)

In recent history bisexuals, lesbians, gay men, and transgendered people have formed communities which are mostly separate but partly overlap with one another and with other communities. Because of this historic separation, someone who is a member of one of these communities does not necessarily understand and prioritize the vocabulary and issues of the other communities. There is often some level of misunderstanding and animosity between the communities. One who belongs to more than one of these communities may feel welcome in each, but usually none addresses all one's needs or the way that one's needs from different communities overlap or interact. All these communities are affected by the way that other oppressions (including those based on race, class, and physical or mental ability) divide people from one another, and many are working to be welcoming to people of other colors, class backgrounds, abilities, and cultural backgrounds.

One may present with a sexual or gender identity without necessarily identifying with the corresponding community (e.g. one may think of oneself as a lesbian without thinking of oneself as a member of the lesbian community.) Also, sexual identity terms used as nouns (instead of as adjectives) have sometimes been used to suggest that LGBT people are entirely defined by their sexual identity, and this usage is therefore distasteful to some people.

We welcome corrections and additions to this glossary. Please contact us.