My
Great Journey Part 6 (revised)
The Language of Trans
In this blog entry, I'm taking a different approach, and
exploring the language of trans. I have not set this up as a Wiki, but I would
like to make this interactive as much as possible, to keep it accurate and up
to date. So, if you see something that
is out of date, or needs correction, or if you see something that should be
here but isn't please comment below.
The language surrounding the
transgender world is a constantly shifting target. In this post, I would like to address some of
the common language found in the transgender world, and hope that this is a
helpful resource.
Gender Identity Terms
Gender Identity refers to
the expressed, or true gender that a person lives. This may be male, female, or somewhere on a
spectrum from a-gender to gender fluid, Intersex, etc. Simply, this is who a
PERSON IS.
A Transgender person is one
whose Expressed, or true gender, does not match their birth gender. This is the overarching term, and applies to
anyone who expresses their gender differently than their birth gender. Some
people may use the term transgendered, but this is not the normally preferred
term. For more on this please see http://time.com/3630965/transgender-transgendered/
A Trans-sexual is a person
who has sought medical treatment to express their true gender. This can be
medication, surgery or both.
A Cisgender person is one
whose expressed gender DOES match their birth gender.
Intersex, previously called
Hermaphrodite or Androgyne is a person who is born with some physical
characteristics of both male and female genders. The possible combinations of
genetic variations are too myriad to detail here. Anyone with possible genetic variants should
consult with their doctors for possible genetic testing, as appropriate.
There are various sub-categories of
Intersex people. These can include people whose external genitalia at birth do
not match their genetic markers. An example of this is women with Complete
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS). Women with CAIS are born with the 46 XY
marker of males, but due to inability to respond to androgens, develop female,
rather than male, sexual characteristics.
Genderqueer refers to
someone whose gender expression does not fall on the binary state of male or
female, but rather somewhere on the spectrum.
It can also refer to their sexual orientation. It is an umbrella term.
Non-binary any gender
identity which does not fit the binary state of male OR female.
Gender-Fluid is an identity
under the multigender, nonbinary, and transgender umbrellas. Genderfluid
individuals have different gender identities at different times. A genderfluid
individual's gender identity could be multiple genders at once, and then switch
to none at all, or move between single gender identities.
Agender is also called
genderblank, genderfree, genderless, gendervoid, non-gendered, or null gender.
Agender is an identity under the nonbinary and transgender umbrella terms.
Agender individuals find that they have no gender identity, although some
define this more as having a gender identity that is neutral.
Gender Questioning refers to
someone who is aware that they do not fit the cis-hetero mold but are not sure
where they sit with regard to gender identity or sexual orientation.
Ally is a family member or
close friend of someone who is LGBTQ. The term “ally” is used because allies
support the right of their LGBTQ family member or friend to live an authentic
life, rather than trying to fit someone else’s artificial mold.
Correct/preferred pronoun:
Some people identify as male and want to be referred to as he/him/his. Some as
female; thus she/her/hers. Others still
prefer they/them/theirs. And others use
many of the new pronouns that are being tried out. If you do not know what a person’s preferred
pronouns are, please ask.
Gender Confirming (or
Confirmation) Surgery (GCS) also called various names such as Sexual
Reassignment Surgery and Gender Reassignment Surgery. GCS is the umbrella term
for the various operations transgender people may seek in order to express
their gender. Surgeries MAY include:
For Male to Female (also called
transwomen): Vaginoplasty – the creation of the neo-vaginal vault. Associated with this are orchiotomy (removal
of the testicles) and penectomy (removal of the interior tissue of the
penis). In vaginoplasty, the outer skin
of the penis, and the scrotum, are used in creating the neo-vaginal vault. If
additional tissue is necessary a skin graft or colon section may be
needed. Along with vaginoplasty is
labiaplasty, the forming of the outer labia of the neo-vagina. These procedures may be done together or in
one or more stages.
Transwomen may also seek various
procedures considered cosmetic, including hair removal (facial and body),
facial feminizing surgery, breast implants, hip or buttock implants, trachea
shave, etc. Some women may seek vocal feminizing surgery, but it is rarely
effective. Statistics show that less
than 25% of all transwomen end up getting GCS.
There are many reasons for this, including financial, legal, health, and
the choice by some to seek a non-binary end point.
For Female to Male (also called
transmen): Bilateral radical Mastectomy and chest reconstruction (removal
of breast tissue), hysterectomy (removal of uterus), oophorectomy (removal of
ovaries), Metoidioplasty (a release of the clitoris to give a phallic form) and
phalloplasty. Statistics show that less than 10% of transmen seek GCS. There
are also various other plastic surgeries that transmen may choose to
masculinize their appearance.
Sexual
Orientation Terms
Sexual Orientation is to
whom a person is romantically or sexually attracted. If the person is attracted to a person of the
opposite sex, that is Heterosexual. If they are attracted to the same sex, that
is gay or lesbian. People may also be
attracted to people who express a non-binary gender orientation.
It is important to note that sexual
orientation and gender identity are unrelated.
A transgender person may be attracted to someone of the same gender(s)
as they were before beginning transition, or their sexual orientation may
change. It is very difficult to apply
orientation labels in cases like this.
As an example, I was attracted to women before I began transition, and I
still am. Does this mean I was
heterosexual and now I’m a lesbian? I
prefer to skip these labels personally, but for many in the cis-hetero
normative world especially, putting labels on people is the only way to make
sense of things.
Gay is the overarching term
for people who are attracted to others of the same or a non-binary opposite of their own gender. While society tends to use this term for men
who are attracted to other men, it can also refer to women attracted to women
(lesbians) and to people who are non-binary attracted to other non-binary
people.
Asexual is a lack of sexual
orientation.
Bisexual is someone
attracted to people of two genders; this may mean men and women, or it may mean
simply someone who is not their binary opposite.
Pansexual is someone who is
attracted to any person, irrespective of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Resources
I really laughed out loud when I read, ". . .for many in the cis-hetero normative world especially, putting labels on people is the only way to make sense of things." Do you not see the irony of writingcthat in the middle of an entire column about trans labels?
ReplyDeleteI really laughed out loud when I read, ". . .for many in the cis-hetero normative world especially, putting labels on people is the only way to make sense of things." Do you not see the irony of writingcthat in the middle of an entire column about trans labels?
ReplyDelete