Gender & identity

Transgender

Alsotranstransgenderedtranssexualtrans person

Definition

An umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

At a glance

  • Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender differs from the sex assigned at birth.
  • It is often shortened to trans.
  • It includes trans women, trans men and many non-binary people.
  • Being trans does not depend on having any medical treatment.
  • It is used as an adjective, as in a transgender person.

In detail

Transgender, often shortened to trans, includes trans women, trans men and many non-binary people, although not every non-binary person uses the word for themselves. Being trans is about identity; it does not depend on having had any medical treatment.

The word is an adjective, so it is usual to say a transgender person or a trans woman rather than using it as a noun. Trans people have existed across history and cultures, and major medical bodies no longer classify being transgender as a mental disorder.

In a sentence

  • My cousin is transgender and recently came out to the family.
  • The charity offers peer support for trans people and their parents.

Where the word comes from

Built from the Latin prefix trans, meaning across, the word appeared in the 1960s and 1970s and became widely used as an umbrella term from the 1990s.

Not to be confused with

  • Intersex

    Intersex describes variations in physical sex characteristics; transgender describes gender identity. Some people are both, most are one or neither.

  • Crossdressing

    Crossdressing is about clothing; being transgender is about identity.

Common questions

Is transgender a mental illness?

No. Major medical bodies no longer classify being transgender as a mental disorder. The World Health Organization's ICD-11 lists gender incongruence under sexual health rather than mental disorders. Some trans people experience distress called gender dysphoria, and support is available from qualified clinicians.

Is it correct to say a transgender or transgendered?

Transgender is an adjective, so the usual forms are a transgender person or a trans woman. Using it as a noun, as in a transgender, or saying transgendered, is generally avoided.

Do you have to have surgery to be transgender?

No. Being trans is about identity. Some trans people have medical treatment, some only change their name, pronouns or presentation, and some do neither.

Related terms

Sources

  1. American Psychological AssociationTransgender people, gender identity and gender expression
  2. Planned ParenthoodWhat does transgender mean?