Changes: Transgender

Revision as of 13:52, 25 November 2020

TransFlag — Transgender pride flag created by Monica Helms

Trans2 — Transgender gender symbol created by Holly Boswell

Transgender or Transexuality is an umbrella term for anyone whose internal experience of gender does not match the sex they were assigned at birth (normally based on first and secondary sex charateristics). Transgender people may experience discomfort or distress due to their gender not aligning with their sex, and therefore wish to transition to being the gender they identify with.

Some transgender people feel this way from a very young age, while others go through a period of questioning before realizing they are transgender. Transgender people can be men, women or non-binary. They can have any sexual orientation, express their gender through their appearance in any way, and may or may not fit into society's views of gender.

People whose sex corresponds to their gender identity are referred to as cisgender.

Terminology

There are a wide range of terms used in reference to transgender people, and the definitions of words often vary over time, or between different groups of people. it is always important to check in with individuals which words they prefer to use rather than to assign them labels they may not be comfortable with.

Generally, all discussion of transgender people is focused on gender identity. For example, a trans man is someone who views themselves as a man and was assigned female at birth. It is his internal experience (as a man) which determines how he is described, not the way he is seen by society. Similarly, a trans woman views herself as a woman and was assigned male at birth. This can confuse those who are new to discussions of transgender identity, but it's an important distinction.

This distinction is based on the understanding that gender and sex are separate, where 'gender' means internal experience, and 'sex' means the attributes of the body. Therefore, a woman (gender) can have a penis and XY chromosomes (sex), but this does not affect her self-identity as a woman, except for the possibility that she was raised to see herself as a man.

Terms such as "male-bodied" and "female-bodied" are often seen as inappropriate because they confuse gender with sex. A trans woman is a woman, and therefore her body is female because it belongs to a woman. Instead, the terminology "assigned male/female at birth" is used to indicate whether a person is born male or female. This terminology also acknowledges that gender varies between societies, and some cultures recognize three or more genders.

It is worth noting that some people are born with sex characteristics that cannot be easily classified as either male or female. This is known as being intersex, and many intersex individuals are unaware of their condition. Those who are not intersex are referred to as dyadic.

Other important concepts are the [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Gender_binary gender binary] and the [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/gender%20spectrum gender spectrum].

The [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Gender_binary gender binary] refers to the idea that there are only two genders, [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Man man] and [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Woman woman], and that everyone can be categorized as one or the other. However, many people feel that their gender identity is [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Non-binary non-binary] and cannot be described as either of these identities. Another term used for people who fall outside the gender binary is [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Genderqueer genderqueer], which is often used to imply a desire to change the norms of gender.

The [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/gender%20spectrum gender spectrum] on the other hand is the idea that gender isn't binary but a continuum. At it simplest is a line between male and female. The next step up is a 2D pane with male and female on the axis.The next step is adding in [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Aporagender Aporagenders](genders not related to male or female) each on their own axis. The final step is [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/W%3AC%3Agender%3AGender%20Field%20theory Gender Field theory] where gender is a N-dimensional field. For more on the different theories of gender see Models of gender identity.

Transition

Transition is any action a transgender person takes in order for the external world to better recognize and reflect their internal gender. This can range from asking people to use different names and pronouns, to a change in dress or appearance, to extensive surgery. The three main forms of transition are social, legal, and medical, although all of these are broad categories which can reflect dozens of different possible actions.

Transgender people have dysphoria (feelings of distress) arising from their sex characteristics not matching their self-image and/or being seen and treated as the wrong gender (misgendered). This dysphoria may be referred to by the medical term of Gender Identity Disorder, for which the correct treatment is considered to be transition, accompanied by any necessary support to achieve the desired state.

Some transgender people have [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Gender%20Euphoria gender euphoria] (feelings of elation) from making or thinking about their body, gender expression and/or being seen and treated as prefered gender.

Every transgender person has different desires for what they want (or do not want) to include in their transition, including surgery and other medical procedures. Transgender people who do not plan to have surgery are sometimes referred to as non-op; transsexual is sometimes used to refer to only those who do. It is important not to make assumptions about what is, was or will be involved in any individual person's transition.

Some transgender people are aware of their condition as children and begin transitioning then, such as by taking puberty blockers to delay the development of sex characteristics until they are old enough to be allowed to medically transition. However, many attempt to reconcile themselves with living as their assigned gender, and only transition later in life when they realize they are not happy with the way things are. This may involve a period of questioning in which a person is uncertain of their gender identity, and wishes to explore before settling on a label for themselves.

Even after transition, transgender people may not want to reflect societal stereotypes of their gender identity. For instance, a trans woman can be masculine, a tomboy, work as a mechanic, or hate wearing dresses - just as a cis woman can do any of those things.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''[[File:Qq_tgh.gif|thumb|230px|Transgender flag]]'''
+[[File:TransFlag.png|alt=|thumb|230x230px|Transgender [[pride flag]] created by Monica Helms]]
+[[File:Trans2.png|thumb|Transgender [[gender symbol]] created by Holly Boswell]]
+'''Transgender''' or '''Transexuality''' is an umbrella term for anyone whose [[Gender Identity|internal experience of gender]] does not match the sex they were [[Assigned Sex|assigned at birth]] (normally based on first and secondary [[Sex characteristics|sex]] [[Sex characteristics|charateristics]]). Transgender people may experience [[Dysphoria|discomfort or distress]] due to their gender not aligning with their sex, and therefore wish to [[transition]] to being the gender they identify with.
+Some transgender people feel this way from a very young age, while others go through a period of [[questioning]] before realizing they are transgender. Transgender people can be [[Trans men|men]], [[Trans women|women]] or [[non-binary]]. They can have any sexual orientation, [[Gender Expression|express their gender]] through their appearance in any way, and may or may not fit into [[Gender Roles|society's views of gender]].
-A popular image of transgender people is that of a "woman trapped in a man's body" and vice versa, but this isn't [[Gender_v_Sex|entirely accurate]]. A more accurate way to put it is that transgender people are people who are born into a body not associated with their gender, or were assigned a sex that does not match their gender.
-== Transgender Terminology==
+People whose sex corresponds to their gender identity are referred to as [[cisgender]].
-This is a very large area and there isn't always agreement. One thing that is important to remember, though, is that most terms for trans people are based on gender. For instance, a man who was assigned female at birth would be called a trans man, a woman who was assigned male at birth would be called a trans woman. Many people who are new to transgender issues will trip up on this, but it's an important distinction.
+== Terminology==
-There are two reasons for this. The first is the difference between [[Gender_v_Sex|gender and sex]]. A trans woman is a woman- she is in no way a man other than that she may have been raised with the expectation of growing to be one. Although she was assigned male at birth, this makes no comments on her gender.
+There are a wide range of terms used in reference to transgender people, and the definitions of words often vary over time, or between different groups of people. it is always important to check in with individuals which words they prefer to use rather than to assign them labels they may not be comfortable with.
+Generally, all discussion of transgender people is focused on [[gender identity]]. For example, a [[trans man]] is someone who views themselves as a [[man]] and was [[Assigned sex|assigned female at birth]]. It is his internal experience (as a man) which determines how he is described, not the way he is seen by society. Similarly, a [[trans woman]] views herself as a [[woman]] and was [[Assigned sex|assigned male at birth]]. This can confuse those who are new to discussions of transgender identity, but it's an important distinction.
-== Transgender People and Bodies ==
+This distinction is based on the understanding that [[Gender v Sex|gender and sex are separate]], where 'gender' means internal experience, and 'sex' means the attributes of the body. Therefore, a woman (gender) can have a penis and XY chromosomes (sex), but this does not affect her self-identity as a woman, except for the possibility that she was raised to see herself as a man.
-The way transgender people feel about their bodies is extremely varied. Some people get highly offended at the idea that their pre-[[transition]] body is the right body because it belongs to them, while others get equally offended at the idea that there's something wrong with their body. Because of this it's important not to make assumptions about how trans people feel about their bodies, whether or not they plan to transition (or how far/in what way), and it's best to listen to each person's feelings.
+Terms such as "male-bodied" and "female-bodied" are often seen as inappropriate because they confuse gender with sex. A trans woman is a woman, and therefore her body is female because it belongs to a woman. Instead, the terminology "[[Assigned sex|assigned male/female at birth]]" is used to indicate whether a person is born male or female. This terminology also acknowledges that gender varies between societies, and some cultures recognize [[Third Gender|three or more genders]].
-One person wrote up a [http://healthymultiplicity.com/hmsbeagle/subjective_body.htm good explanation] of how and why transgender people could feel that they do not have the wrong body.
+It is worth noting that some people are born with [[sex characteristics]] that cannot be easily classified as either male or female. This is known as being [[intersex]], and many intersex individuals are unaware of their condition. Those who are not intersex are referred to as [[dyadic]].
-== Transgenderism and Sexuality ==
+Other important concepts are the [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Gender_binary gender binary] and the [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/gender%20spectrum gender spectrum].
-Although many people have the idea that trans people are "just gay and trying to find acceptance", transgender people have just as vast a range of sexualities and romantic attractions as cis people.
+The [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Gender_binary gender binary] refers to the idea that there are only two genders, [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Man man] and [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Woman woman], and that everyone can be categorized as one or the other. However, many people feel that their gender identity is [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Non-binary non-binary] and cannot be described as either of these identities. Another term used for people who fall outside the gender binary is [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Genderqueer genderqueer], which is often used to imply a desire to change the norms of gender.
-Sexuality for trans people, particularly [[non-binary|non-binaries]] can be quite complicated, though. Typical conversations about sexuality revolve around sex (assumed, assigned, or your current genitals) rather than gender, while many transgender people feel that basing their sexuality on their gender is more accurate. Some people prefer terms such as androphile (attraction to men and/or assigned-males) and gynephile (attraction to women and/or assigned-females) as they remove assumptions about your sex.
+The [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/gender%20spectrum gender spectrum] on the other hand is the idea that gender isn't binary but a continuum. At it simplest is a line between male and female. The next step up is a 2D pane with male and female on the axis.The next step is adding in [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Aporagender Aporagenders](genders not related to male or female) each on their own axis. The final step is [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/W%3AC%3Agender%3AGender%20Field%20theory Gender Field theory] where gender is a N-dimensional field. For more on the different theories of gender see [[Models of gender identity]].
-This can be easier for people who are gray-area asexual, asexual, demisexual, bisexual, polysexual, sapiosexual, or pansexual, as they don't make obvious assumptions about sex as gay/straight/lesbian do. It may also be considered easier to find people with these orientations who is fine with dating a trans person, but this is not always true.
+== Transition ==
+[[Transition]] is any action a transgender person takes in order for the external world to better recognize and reflect their internal gender. This can range from asking people to use different [[names]] and [[pronouns]], to a change in [[Gender Expression|dress or appearance]], to [[Gender confirmation surgery|extensive surgery]]. The three main forms of transition are [[Social transition|social]], [[Legal transition|legal]], and [[Medical transition|medical]], although all of these are broad categories which can reflect dozens of different possible actions.
+Transgender people have [[dysphoria]] (feelings of distress) arising from their sex characteristics not matching their self-image and/or being seen and treated as the wrong gender ([[Misgendering|misgendered]]). This dysphoria may be referred to by the [[Medicalization|medical term]] of [[Gender Identity Disorder]], for which the correct treatment is considered to be transition, accompanied by any necessary support to achieve the desired state.
-Many binary-gendered trans people base their sexuality on their gender, though. For instance, a trans man who is attracted to men would be a gay man and one who's attracted to women would be straight. At the same time, a trans woman who's attracted to men would be straight while one who's attracted to women would be a lesbian. Although this may seem confusing, particularly if the person is [[non-op]], the reason is that for the most part, a trans man wants to be a person's boyfriend and a trans woman wants to be a person's girlfriend. Even if they have to present as something else to the public, they still want their partner to see them as who they are and be in a relationship based on that.
+Some transgender people have [./https://trans.wikia.org/wiki/Gender%20Euphoria gender euphoria] (feelings of elation) from making or thinking about their body, gender expression and/or being seen and treated as prefered gender.
+Every transgender person has different desires for what they want (or do not want) to include in their transition, including surgery and other medical procedures. Transgender people who do not plan to have surgery are sometimes referred to as [[non-op]]; [[transsexual]] is sometimes used to refer to only those who do. It is important not to make assumptions about what is, was or will be involved in any individual person's transition.
+Some transgender people are aware of their condition as children and begin transitioning then, such as by taking [[puberty blockers]] to delay the development of sex characteristics until they are old enough to be allowed to [[medically transition]]. However, many attempt to reconcile themselves with living as their [[assigned gender]], and only [[transition]] later in life when they realize they are not happy with the way things are. This may involve a period of [[questioning]] in which a person is uncertain of their gender identity, and wishes to explore before settling on a label for themselves.
+Even after transition, transgender people may not want to reflect [[Gender Roles|societal stereotypes]] of their gender identity. For instance, a trans woman can be [[masculine]], a tomboy, work as a mechanic, or hate wearing dresses - just as a cis woman can do any of those things.
+== External Links ==
+* [http://emptyclosets.com/forum/index.php Empty Closets forums]
+* [https://www.susans.org/ Susan's Place blog, wiki and forums]
+* [http://www.tsroadmap.com/index.html Trans Road Map]
+* [http://www.ifge.org/ International Foundation for Gender Education]
+* [http://www.wpath.org/ World Professional Association for Transgender Health]
+* [http://transactivists.org/ Global Action for Trans Equality]
+* [http://www.glaad.org/transgender GLAAD Transgender Media Programme and Trans Resources]
+* [http://www.transmediawatch.org/ Trans Media Watch]
+* [http://www.angelsforum.co.uk/phpforum/ The Angels forums]
+* [http://www.transfriendly.co.uk/ Transfriendly forums]
 [[Category:Transgender Concepts]]
-[[Category:Gender Identity]]
 [[Category:Transgender]]
 [[Category:Gender Identities]]
+[[Category:Facts]]