Transgender Terms

This is determined by whom we feel comfortable hanging out with, whom we are close to in a primarily non-erotic way. Most people seem to have a "Bi-affectional orientation" with males and females, though as noted below, some theorize that, in actuality, there are more than simply two sexes.

Someone who prefers to look and act "in between" the sexes.

a male’s propensity to be sexually aroused by the thought or image of himself as female.

n., adj. One whose significant (to oneself) sexual activity is masturbation.

A genetic male, one born with X and Y chromosomes and raised as a boy (by contrast see trans-man, t-man). [The term "real man" is considered derogatory]

This can be considered as our "packaging" and is determined by our chromosomes (XX for females, XY for males); our hormones (estrogen and progesterone for females, testosterone for males); and our internal and external genitalia (vulva, clitoris, vagina for females, penis and testicles for males). About 4% of the population can be defined as "intersexuals" born with biological aspects of both sexes to varying degrees. Therefore, in actuality, there are more than two sexes. (Sometimes referred to as chromosomal sex.)

The oppression or mistreatment of bisexuals, either by heterosexuals (often called homophobia if it does not target bisexuals separately from lesbians and gays), or by lesbians or gays.

One who has significant (to oneself) sexual or romantic attractions to members of both the same sex and other sex, or who identifies as a member of the bisexual community. Contrary to popular myths, people who are attracted to members of both genders or sexes (just like people who are attracted only to members of the same or other gender or sex) may be monogamous, polyfidelitous, or nonmonogamous.

1. Masculine or macho dress and behavior, regardless of sex or gender identity. 2. A sub-identity of lesbian, gay male, or bisexual, based on masculine or macho dress and behavior. (See femme.) 3. (butch it up) To exaggerate masculine behaviors, usually for others' entertainment.

A form of humor, in which one makes fun of one's oppression by taking on and exaggerating stereotypes which the oppressor projects onto the oppressed. Camp makes fun of the stereotype and laughs at the sting of the oppression. Also, to camp it up.

One who is not sexually active with anyone else. May abstain from all sexual activity, or may be autosexual.

An androgynous lesbian.

(of the closet) 1. To disclose one's own sexual or gender identity to another person. [I came out to my mother over Thanksgiving vacation.] 2. come out to oneself To discover that one's own sexual identity is different than one previously assumed. [I came out to myself three months ago.] 3. To be open about and deal with one's own and others' reactions to the discovery or disclosure of one's sexual identity. [I am out to my mother.] 4. (come out for) To disclose another person's sexual identity to a third person with the second person's permission or at their request. [I asked my mother to come out to my grandparents for me.] 5. May be generalized to disclosure of any information about oneself, not just one's sexuaI identity.

This is the individual's innermost concept of self as "male" or "female" what we perceive and call ourselves. Though the formation of gender identity is a complex process, it is thought that individuals develop this generally between the ages of 18 months and 5 years (actually at about the same time one begins forming complete sentences), though many current theories posit that this begins to be formed before birth. Most people develop a (core) gender identity aligning with their biological sex. For some, however, their gender identity is different from their biological sex.

Living full-time in the preferred gender image, other than one's assigned sex at birth, usually in preparation for a sex-change operation, but sometimes not.

a vague term because it is used in so many ways. In a basic form, it can be used of someone (again, a male) who likes to wear clothes of the opposite sex, but not for sexual gratification (like the TV), often to ease gender discomfort. On this site, we use it as a more generic term for any male who, for any reason, prefers wearing what are traditionally considered womens clothes.

Crossdressers want to appear as convincing as possible as their other selves. A large portion of this group have otherwise ordinary marriages with wives who are not transgendered. Many say this term is preferable to transvestite, which means the same thing.

Which way one is crossing the gender line. MtF is one direction, FtM is another.

Means DRessed As Boy, referring to what is currently considered as male clothes or in male clothes, used mainly by gender benders and crossdressers of both directions. Not used as frequently as the word drag.

Originally used (1) in Shakespeare's Globe Theater to mean DRessed As Girl, referring to male actors (there were no actresses) playing female roles. Now (2) mainly used by gender benders and crossdressers of both directions to mean women's clothes or in women's clothes. Also (3) refers to any specialized type of clothing as in, "my father walked in in full military drag."

A homosexual female (lesbian) who dresses up to gain attention or perform. They have little or no interest in having surgery to correct their physical structure, other than possibly breast augmentation. This person may present herself in a male role at all times.

A gay (homosexual) male who dresses up to gain attention or perform. They have little or no interest in having surgery to correct their physical structure, other than possibly breast augmentation. [Not a synonym for crossdresser, transvestite, or transsexual - those people may take this term as an insult.]

The process of killing hair follicles, especially facial and neck hair, usually with an electric needle, but increasingly with a laser or both in conjunction.

Dressed as a woman. Transsexuals often use the term to distinguish how they are dressed.

Dressed as a man. Not used as frequently as en femme. Transsexuals may use the term to distinguish how they are dressed.

The "female" sex hormone. Actually, both [males] and [females] have estrogen in their systems, [but] women have a great deal more of it. When administered to a biological male, female secondary sex characteristics will be manifested. Estrogen can be administered in both pill and injection form. The pill form can affect the liver and should be routinely checked by blood tests. The injection form is usually given every other week and has less effect on the liver, but is less commonly used now. Many transsexuals report greater efficacy with injections, but the medical community often ignores this opinion.

An older and less-used term for a gay man; now primarily a derogatory term and primarily used in the UK.

A semi-derogatory term used of women who like to be with gay men so they can socialize without being hit on.

A male who on specific occasions, cross dresses and employs stereotypical feminine dialog, voice, and mannerisms for the entertainment of other people.

The gender role assigned to females. Generally includes: nurturing, emotional, timid/quiet, wears dresses and makeup.

1. Feminine or effeminate dress and behavior, regardless of sex or gender identity; 2. A sub-identity of lesbian, gay, or bisexual, based on feminine or effeminate dress and behavior; 3. A feminine woman who loves masculine women.

An inordinate interest or preoccupation with a type of item. In the context of this list, this is generally applied to clothing. For example a biological male may have a fetish for lingerie and spend a great deal of money collecting it. The medical community largely holds this to be a strictly "male" condition.

Different group as a whole from transgenders; however, there is a portion of participants from that group that range from peripherally transgendered to outright post-operative transsexuals. There are many different subsets within the fetish crowd: B & D (bondage & discipline), Leather (including Rubber & PVC wear), Fantasy, and Role Playing (which includes the dominants and the submissives). There are some who are not full-time transgenders who will participate in any of these categories and include some cross-gendered aspect to it. For folks who identify as, or are full-time transgenders; this is basically a fantasy adventure from the everyday. However, those who do not openly identify themselves as transgender will adopt either a dominator/dominatrix look and role, or most often, a "sissy" or submissive role. (Picture the Type-A banker who dons a French maid outfit on the weekend.) Their outfits are worn mostly in private, virtually never to be seen in public - especially for the closeted occasional type. While many occasional fetishists don't identify as transgendered, there is at some level a fascination with the role of the opposite gender, repressed or otherwise.

Some say that (1) once a transsexual has completed surgery, they are no longer transsexuals. (Contrast this with definition 2.) A compromise view might be that a former transsexual is (2) one who has completed surgery, and no longer wants anything to do with the transsexual community.

A boy or man who has significant (to oneself) sexual or romantic attractions primarily to other males, or who identifies as a member of the gay community. Bisexual men often do not feel included by this term. Derogatory slang: fag, queer.

A psychological distinction. For the purposes of this site, we pretty much limit its sub-definition to one's preferred social presentation (i.e. the way someone wants society to perceive them). Gender can also be defined in many other ways, such as sex partner choice or sex role preference. The preferred terms are masculine and feminine or, less so, man and woman. (See Gender 101.)

Anyone crossing the gender line who does not care about appearing convincing. Example: a man wearing a dress, who looks like a man wearing a dress, and doesn't care if he does look like a man wearing a dress. Drag queens are a major group within this category.

While the term is frequently seen as having a derogatory connotation, gender bending has a positive effect on society by desensitizing people to "gender inappropriate" dressing.

The [transgender] community of all crossdressers, transsexuals, and gender benders, and anywhere they meet.

Surgery to make the physical body match the emotional self-image. This is more commonly known as Sex Reassignment Surgery.

Like gender dysphoria (see below), but not quite as severe or intolerable. Occasional crossdressing often provides sufficient relief.

Literally, it is being unhappy with the gender you are (physically anatomically, prior to changing anything). Full-blown gender dysphoria syndrome is the same as transsexualism.

To mix stereotypical aspects of gender roles, e.g. wearing a beard and a dress together.

The way one presents oneself to the world, as either male or female.

Language which does not use one gender to represent all people (e.g.. does not use "he" and "his" to represent people in general.)

Sex-change operation. The currently preferred term to Sex reassignment surgery. This involves a penectomy (removal or inversion of the penis), orchiectomy (removal of the testes), and vaginoplasty (construction of a vagina and labia).

This is the set of socially-defined roles and behaviors assigned to females and males. This can vary from culture to culture. Our society recognizes basically two distinct gender roles. One is the masculine: having the qualities or characteristics attributed to males. The other is the feminine: having the qualities or characteristics attributed to females. (A third gender role, rarely, though possibly increasingly, condoned in our society, is androgyny combining assumed male (andro) and female (gyne) qualities.) Some people step out of their socially-assigned gender roles or "crossdress" (wear the clothing traditionally reserved for the other sex). Though not universal or even precise, some of the terms used to identify these individuals include "transvestites," "Drag Queens," "Drag Kings."

A genetic girl is a person, generally with two X chromosomes, who was identified at birth and raised as a female. [The use of "genuine girl" is deprecated.]

Contraction of Gay, Lesbian, Bi, and Transgender.

A transgendered girl (male-to female). Not universally accepted as it emphasizes that the girl is not genetic.

1. Medically, one who has partially expressed primary or secondary sex characteristics. Pseudo-male hermaphrodites are born with a penis, but do not develop most other male secondary sex characteristics such as facial hair, greater muscle density, or sperm with the potential to procreate. Pseudo-female hermaphrodites are born with a vagina, but are often infertile, have more facial hair than most women, and have much lower breast development. 2. Mythically (almost never happens in reality), one who has both female and male primary and secondary sex characteristics. The currently preferred term is "Intersexed."

One who fears, hates, and oppresses people because one perceives them to have sexual or romantic attractions to members of the same gender or sex.

[Gr. homo(man) + phobia(fear).] 1. An irrational fear of sexual attraction to the same gender or sex. 2. A term for all aspects of the oppression of LGBTs.

Used, especially by transsexuals, to change secondary sex characteristics, including breast size, weight distribution, sex drive, and hair growth.

(1) In the process of sexual transition. (2) A synonym for pre-op.

Often used as a synonym for transgendered, in my opinion this is more of a physical, or anatomical, description for someone who has some physical traits of both sexes.

These are individuals who were physically born with gender-ambiguous or underdeveloped genitalia or internal organs. The functional ability ranges from those with neither set of genitalia functioning, to others with both sets able to function fully. The majority of intersexed people are surgically assigned a gender at birth. About 4% of all births are intersex to some degree. (This word replaces the politically incorrect hermaphrodite.)

Many surgeons will coerce the parents into approving a sexual assignment for their child; explaining that it will benefit the child by being able to fit into societally-structured, binary gender roles, and avoid embarrassment and ostracization. Oftentimes, parents themselves will seek out this option for their child. A number of intersexed people, however, are left to their biologically-original, ambiguous gender; and often live happy, fulfilled lives. Meanwhile, a number of intersexed people who are surgically altered at birth become resentful at not having a choice in how they were relegated to live. Indeed, a number of intersexed who were assigned a gender at birth, end up seeking SRS to the opposite gender later in life.

1. Term for oneself or one's own community. 2. How someone else thinks of one, as opposed to how one thinks of oneself. 3. An agreed upon definition used to quickly describe oneself.

Unfortunately, labels are often misused to segment and/or stratify the various communities. For example, if a TS says "you're just a CD" they are expressing an unearned superiority.

A girl or woman who has significant (to oneself) sexual or romantic attractions primarily to members of the same gender or sex, or who identifies as a member of the lesbian community. Bisexual women often do not feel included by this term. Derogatory slang: dyke, lezzy.

Contraction of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Gay. Colloquial term for members of sexual identity minorities. One may identify as LesBiGay without identifying as a member of the LesBiGay community. Usually spelled with capital L, B, G and pronounced with a long "i" to prevent misinterpretation as "only lesbian and gay." Does not include the transgender community.

Contraction of "lesbian and gay." Sometimes used to mean LesBiGay, but bisexuals often do not feel included by this term.

Contraction of Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgender.

A Lesbian who is feminine in appearance and masculine in personality.

A feminine woman who loves other feminine women. Often interchanged, or confused with "femme."

To be detected as one's biological gender; to not pass.

n. A female who, on specific occasions, cross dresses and employs stereotypical masculine dialog, voice, and mannerisms for the entertainment of other people.

(1) Post-operative FtM transsexual. Also sometimes used to mean (2) a FtM transsexual who is well along in the transition process.

(1) Post-operative MtF transsexual. First used in a 1952 newspaper article in reference to Christine Jorgensen (whose surgery was far from complete in the current sense). Also sometimes used to mean (2) an MtF transsexual who is well along in the transition process.

Same as nonsurgical transsexual.

Transsexuals who seek sex reassignment through hormones and who cross-live, but stop short of surgery. Some (1) have concerns about major surgery, which is not always successful. Others (2) have been unable to obtain the money necessary and have essentially given up on this final step (remaining in limbo). Yet others (3) feel they are complete without surgery and are the same as definition 1 of transgender. Others still (4) cannot have surgery due to special health problems or age.

Another gender. The word "opposite" suggests that women and men are diametrically opposed to one another, and could never understand or support one another well. The word "sex" actually refers mostly to gender (how one lives in the world) rather than to primary sex characteristics and implies a medically incorrect dichotomy. For these reasons, many people find this term offensive.

To participate in or collude with the oppression of a group.

Systematic mistreatment of, and misinformation about, people who are perceived to be members of a particular group. Mistreatment includes economic and social marginalization, which ranges from not including members of the group in one's circle of friends and media reports on and representations of society; the cold shoulder; not consulting with or accepting input from them on decisions which concern them; snide comments, verbal harassment, assault, rape, and murder, all based on the perception that the target person is a member of that group.

Removal of the testes, generally as a first stage, or part, of gender reassignment surgery. This eliminates the primary source of testosterone in the body, allowing estrogen therapy to be more effective.

1. To disclose a second person's sexual identity to a third person, especially without the second person's permission. 2. To disclose one's own sexual identity, often without intending or choosing to do so.

To be in one's preferred gender image, and to be able to do so convincingly.

(1) Chiefly used in the historical sense to refer to a non-transgendered woman living as a man in order to have access to careers and lifestyles only available to men at that time. Often considered a sin or taboo. (2) Some historical figures who would today be more accurately called FtM transsexuals or transsexual men are sometimes referred as passing women.

Transsexuals who have had sex-change operation(s), and now have the physical anatomy they desire.

Transsexuals who have not yet had their sex-change (gender reassignment) operation(s), but who are working towards it.

Inclusive term for the male penis, prostate and testicles; and for the female clitoris, vagina, uterus and ovaries.

A "female" hormone generally used in conjunction with estrogen to suppress testosterone production (and metabolism) and sex drive. Less commonly used today due to medical risks (see spironolactone). Many transsexuals argue that it has significant psychological benefit.

1. Reclaimed derogatory slang for the sexual minority community (e.g. Queer Nation.) Not accepted by all the sexual minority community, especially older members. 2. Sometimes used for an even wider spectrum of marginalized or radicalized groups and individuals. 3. Weird, different, not normal, apart from the mainstream.

(1) To detect a crossdresser or (2) To be detected as one's biological gender; to not pass.

The use of "real man" is deprecated as it is often taken as an insult or disparagement. Most FtM transsexuals, regardless of operative status, consider themselves real men.

The use of this term is deprecated as it is often taken as an insult or disparagement. Most MtF transsexuals, regardless of operative status, consider themselves real women.

A Lesbian of culture and refinement.

General term including facial and body hair, vocal timber and range, breast size, and weight distribution.

An anatomical distinction which is generally governed by one's chromosomes. Because of the occasional genetic abnormalities, doctors do not always correctly assign this at birth. The preferred terms are: male and female. (See Gender 101.)

Sex-change operation. Some now prefer "Gender Reassignment Surgery," although one's sex is actually what gets changed on one's records. This procedure is also sometimes referred to as "Gender Confirmation Surgery" or "Gender Congruence Surgery."

This is what we do sexually and with whom. Though we are not certain what influences determine a person's primary sexual attraction (sexual orientation), our culture can heavily influence peoples, actions, and sexual behaviors. For example, one may have a homosexual orientation, but due to overriding condemnations against same-sex sexual expression, may attempt to "pass" by having sex only with people of the other sex.

Sexuality researcher Alfred C. Kinsey and his colleagues devised a seven-point scale to chart the full spectrum of human sexual behavior, with 0 representing those whose histories are exclusively heterosexual, and 6 for those who are exclusively homosexual in behavior. Others were placed along the scale depending on the percentage of heterosexual (other sex) or homosexual (same sex) sexual expression in relation to overall behavior. Kinsey's findings and other studies also suggest that sexuality is indeed more fluid and complex than once believed.

This is what we call ourselves. Such labels include "lesbian," "gay," "bisexual," "bi," "queer," "questioning," "undecided," "undetermined," "heterosexual," "straight," "asexual," and others. Sexual identity evolves through a multi-stage developmental process that has been studied and reported by a number of researchers. This progression varies in intensity and duration depending on the individual. Our sexual behavior and how we define ourselves (our identity) can be chosen (with differing degrees of success). Though some people claim their sexual orientation is also a choice, for others, this does not seem to be the case.

This is determined by whom we are sexually, or erotically, attracted to, and our sexual/erotic drives, desires, or fantasies. Categories of sexual orientation include homosexuals (gay, lesbian) attracted to some members of the same sex; bisexuals, attracted to some members of both sexes to varying degrees; heterosexuals, attracted to some members of the other sex; and asexuals, attracted to neither sex. Some sexuality researchers suggest that pederasts (adults sexually attracted to children) might be considered a separate sexual orientation. Other researchers have hypothesized that all humans are born bisexual but quickly learn heterosexuality by social influence.

Sexual orientation is believed to be influenced by a variety of factors including genetics and hormones, as well as unknown environmental factors. Though the origins of sexual orientation are not completely understood, it is generally believed to be established during early childhood, usually before the age of five, but is usually not expressed until puberty.

Used primarily by the pornography industry to refer to women with penises, who are generally non-op or pre-op transsexuals, emphasizing the fact that while appearing to be women in other regards, they most definitely do have, and use, a penis. Generally considered a derogatory term; it has been reclaimed by some people.

An anti-androgenic drug usually used in conjunction with estrogen to feminize a biologically male body. Originally this was a blood pressure medicine. It is a diuretic.

Colloquial for heterosexual. Straight has connotations of "unadulterated," "pure," and "honest," and some members of the sexual identity community find distasteful the implication that one who is not straight is "bent," "adulterated," "impure," or "dishonest."

Any organization or institution that is accepting of transgender people and their needs. Contrast with transphobic.

The "male" sex hormone. Actually, males and females all have testosterone in their systems; males have more of it. Some testosterone is necessary to have a sex drive. When administered to biological females, secondary male characteristics will manifest. Since it is destroyed by stomach acid [when taken in pill form], most supplemental testosterone is delivered via injections.

A transgendered girl (woman).

Many consider this term to be derogatory or defamatory. Others, such as me, are working to reclaim this word as an acceptable alternative to "transgender person."

A male-to-female transsexual.

A female-to-male transsexual.

Generic term used of anyone who exhibits personality traits generally accepted as belonging to the opposite sex.

Generally someone who prefers to live as much in the opposite gender as possible while retaining their original genitals. Usually SRS is neither desired nor sought.

The process of changing sex, including hormones, cross-living, and finally surgery. A practical minimum for this process is about two years, but usually it takes longer, sometimes much longer. This is often referred to as an event, or series of events, yet, in reality, it is a life-long process.

The fear and hatred of crossdressers, transsexuals, and gender benders and what they do, or are feared to do, and everything that results from this, such as disrespect, denial of rights and needs, and violence. Though some have defined this as an irrational fear and hatred, in actuality, from the time most of us are young, people and institutions (parents/guardians, peers, teachers, clergy, the media, etc.) have taught us to conform to societal notions of "proper" gender behavior, and to hold in contempt those who challenge or transgress these standards. Transphobia is indeed a form of oppression.

Someone who desires to live as a member of the opposite sex. There are both males who want to live as women and females who want to live as men. You may see the abbreviations "M2F" (or "MtF" for Male to Female) or F2M (or "FtM" for Female to Male).
Dr. Harry Benjamin's Sexual Orientation Scale (SOS) defines three types of TS's: Type 4, referring to those for whom surgery is usually not indicated;; Type 5, which is for those for whom surgery may be indicated; and Type 6, which is generally those whose dysphoria can only be relieved through surgical intervention.

Generally someone who wears clothes of the opposite sex. According to the medical community, this applies only to males. It also typically includes sexual gratification as an underlying reason.

adj. In some Native American/American Indian tribes, people who did not fit the traditional gender role (activities or gender of sexual partner) usually assigned to their physical sex. Depending on the tribe, they might fit a different gender role, sometimes as religious leaders, or they might simply choose to live in the gender role usually assigned to another physical sex. The French term "berdache," meaning mattress, has been widely used by anthropologists, but is now considered a derogatory cultural imposition.

Clothing, behaviors, thoughts, feelings, relationships, etc. which are considered appropriate for members of both genders/sexes.