TRANSGENDER BACK TO BASICS

Trans identities are diverse and identify in lots of different ways, that is why it is an umbrella term. However, there is confusion about gender identities, here River Solace at www.lgbthero.org.uk gets to grips with the issue ...

Sex vs Gender

In order to understand what transgender really means, it is necessary to know the difference between sex and gender. Sex is a combination of our bodily features, such as chromosomes; hormone production; fat distribution; genitals; hair growth and more. When a person is born they are usually assigned male or female based on these characteristics. When someone falls outside of this sex binary of male and female, they are referred to as intersex.

Gender is often expressed in terms of masculinity and femininity, gender is largely culturally determined and is assumed from the sex assigned at birth. The gender binary has been socially constructed based on the sex binary i.e. man and woman. Anyone who identifies outside of this binary is referred to as non-binary.

Gender Identity vs Gender Expression

Gender identity is an individuals’ internal, innate sense of their gender, essentially how someone feels inside.

Gender expression is more external, it is usually shown through style, appearance or behaviour. Gender expression does not have to align with gender identity and it can change.

Important things to remember:

• Trans men do not owe anyone masculinity.

• Trans women do not owe anyone femininity.

• Non-Binary people do not owe anyone androgyny.

What does Transgender mean?

It is an umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth. From the Latin word “trans” meaning “across”, it literally means “across gender”.

The term cisgender comes from the Latin word “cis” meaning “the same side”, meaning someone whose gender is the same as the sex they were assigned at birth.

Important things to remember:

• Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) transgender, non-binary, or genderqueer.

• Not everyone will identify as a man or woman. Being trans does not mean you are the ‘opposite’ gender

• Some trans people identify outside of the gender binary i.e. non-binary

• Trans identities are diverse and identify in lots of different ways, that is why it is an umbrella term

• Language is important - respect the terms with which someone chooses to identify

• Not every trans person will want to transition

• Being trans is not new or a trend, trans people have always been around and there are countless examples of trans people throughout history.

What does it mean to transition?

Transition is a term that is used to describe the process a person goes through when changing their gender. It important to note that this does not always mean medical interventions, it can mean social changes such as changes in name, appearance and expression.

Surgery: Gender-affirming surgery can literally be a lifesaver! And for some trans people, it is essential to their health and wellbeing.

binary people identify as trans. The word non-binary describes a wide array of different identities which fall outside of the gender binary, and can be related to, or completely separate from male and female gender identities.

What is the gender binary?

The gender binary is the assumption that all people are one of two genders, female or male, or woman or man. People who identity as a man or a woman identify as a binary gender, since they identify with a gender within the system of the gender binary. A non-binary person simply identifies with a gender that is not male or female.

What kinds of non-binary genders exist?

There are many different genders which exist outside of the gender binary. Some non-binary genders and terms include but are not limited to:

• Agender – having no gender or being genderless

• Androgyne – identifying somewhere in between man and woman

• Bigender – having two gender identities, either at the same time or interchangeably

• Demiboy – partially, but not completely, identifying as a man, boy, or masculine person

• Demigender – having partial connection with one gender (male, female, or other)

• Demigirl – partially, but not completely, identifying as a

Many trans people experience something called gender dysphoria. Not to be confused with body dysmorphia, a mental health condition where people perceive flaws in their appearance, gender dysphoria is the medical term used when someone is experiencing distress or discomfort in their body. This is due to having a gender identity that does not align with their sex assigned at birth and it often has a significant impact on a person’s self-worth and can lead to mental health issues.

Not all trans people have surgery. This is because…

• There is a significant lack of healthcare services and long waiting lists

• Navigating current healthcare services is very complicated and can be overwhelming

• It is really expensive (many trans people raise funds through GoFundMe)

• They simply don’t want to have surgery

• Remember: A trans person’s anatomy is absolutely none of your business!!!

Key takeaways:

• Transgender is an umbrella term for many identities

• Being trans is not new or a trend

• Gender-affirming surgery can be life-saving, but not every trans person wants surgery

• Gender dysphoria can lead to poor mental health

• Gender Expression ≠ Gender Identity

Being non-binary

Non-binary is an umbrella term to describe people who identify with a gender outside of the gender binary, and can be categorized under the trans umbrella term, although not all non- woman, girl, or feminine person

• Enby – a slang term to refer to a non-binary person, not all non-binary people identify with this term

• Genderfluid – moving between two or more gender identities at different times, in different circumstances, etc.

• Genderqueer – a non-normative or queer gender, having no exclusive connection to any gender

• Multigender – having more than one gender

• Neutrois – neutral or null gender, similar to agender

• Non-binary – an umbrella term to describe people whose gender is neither man or woman; can also be used as an individual gender identity for someone who is neither a woman nor a man, but does not identify further

• Pangender- having many or all genders within one’s culture

• Transfeminine or Transfem – a person assigned male at birth (AMAB) who identifies with a feminine gender, but does not necessarily identify as a woman

• Transmasculine or Transmasc – a person assigned female at birth (AFAB) who identifies with a masculine gender, but does not necessarily identify as a man

Pronouns

Pronouns, in relation to gender identity, are nouns that refer to another individual in place of their name in the third-person.

Traditionally, a woman would be referred to as she or her and a man would be referred to with he and him. For instance, when introducing herself, a woman might say “I use she/her pronouns.” Some, but not all, non-binary people may choose to continue using the pronouns associated with their assigned gender at birth. Other non-binary people, commonly, use they/ them as their pronoun.

I think I’m non-binary, do I have to use they/them pronouns?

No, you can use any pronoun or combination of pronouns you’d like. In addition to she/her, he/him, and they/them pronouns, there are other pronouns which include but are not limited to: Ze/hir Xe/xem Hy/hym

Co/cos

Non-binary people can choose to use one set of pronouns, but can also choose to use a two or more sets of pronouns, or even all pronouns. There is no one way to be non-binary. Can non-binary people transition?

Yes! Just like any other trans person, non-binary people can transition as well.

What does transitioning look like for non-binary people?

Just like trans men and women, there is no requirement for how a non-binary person transitions. Non-binary people may opt to have surgeries to affirm their gender, such as breast removal or reduction, breast implantation, or genital reconstruction. Non-binary people may also choose to transition with hormones, like testosterone or oestrogen.

Some non-binary people may select only one method of medical transitions, while others select multiple, or even none at all. Some non-medical transition options for trans and non-binary peo- ple include selecting different pronouns, choosing a new name, or changing their outward presentation (hair style, clothing, makeup, etc.).

There are no rules for how a non-binary person transitions, they might even choose to make little or no changes at all. Regardless of a person’s choice to transition, it does not make them any less non-binary.

So who can be non-binary? Anyone who does not identify as a man or a woman!