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| Transgender Glossary |
This list of terms is an on-going working definition of words and ideas associated with transgender
communities and a resource provided in conjunction with our other posted material. This glossary has been
compiled from a number of sources. There is no universal agreement on the definitions of these various
terms, and this tool is not intended to provide or imply one, but rather to offer a general understanding of
words and terms that may be helpful when living and working in, with, and through the trans communities.
CD (Cross Dresser): Someone who adopts the dress, manner, or role of a gender other than that assigned
at birth, usually for emotional or sexual reasons. Cross dressers are usually comfortable with the gender
they were assigned at birth and do not wish to transition. Previously called Transvestites.
Chromosomal: Pertaining to a rod-shaped element of the cell that appears in the nucleus as cells start to
divide. Usually X and Y.
FTM (Female to Male): Someone assigned female gender at birth, for whom the assigned gender does not
fit. Can be used as an inclusive term for all transgender people who are predominantly male-identified. Also,
Transman, Trans Man, TransMan.
Gender: A set of complex and often contradictory socially constructed signifiers associated with a person’s
masculinity or femininity. Includes but is not limited to genitalia, gonads, chromosomes, hormones,
secondary sex characteristics, psychological or emotional self-understanding, roles, clothing, mannerisms,
interests, and language. Gender is and can be assigned at birth, assigned by others interpreting these
signifiers, or claimed for and expressed by one’s self.
Gender Binary: The social construct that limits human gender expression to a choice between only male
and female. The assumption that all people can and should conform to one of two genders. One legacy of
the gender binary, even for those who reject it, is a limited common vocabulary with which to describe
ourselves, others, and human gender expression.
Gender Dysmorphia: A clinical term which characterizes a feeling of incongruity with the gender assigned at
birth. Also Gender Dysphoria.
Gender Identity: How one understands and expresses one’s own gender, which may or may not conform to
the gender assigned at birth. Gender identity is not limited by the binary or by genitals and other signifiers.
Genderqueer: A person or identity that does not conform to or intentionally plays with the gender binary.
Most often used specifically in contrast to Transgender to avoid connotations of transition.
Gender Role: A set of socially constructed assumptions of how a person should think, feel, and act based
on their gender. Among other things, these definitions vary by culture, class, region, age, and race and
ethnicity.
Genitals: Reproductive organs. Usually vagina and penis.
Gonadal: Pertaining to the gonads or sex glands. Usually ovaries and testes.
Hormonal: Pertaining to chemicals produced by glands in the body which control the actions of certain cells
or organs. Usually estrogen and testosterone.
Intersex: Persons whose hormones, chromosomes, gonads, and genitalia do not conform to the socially
constructed standard of the gender binary. There are more than 70 intersex conditions, some of which are
not apparent at birth. Intersex persons are often subjected to physically, emotionally, and sexually harmful
“reconstructive” surgeries at young ages. Previously called Hermaphrodites.
MTF (Male to Female): Someone assigned male gender at birth, for whom the assigned gender does not fit.
Can be used as an inclusive term for all transgender people who are predominantly female-identified. Also,
Transwoman, Trans Woman, TransWoman.
Secondary Sex Characteristics: Gender signifiers affected by hormones and usually developed at
puberty. Includes but is not limited to menstruation, facial and other hair patterns, breasts, and larynx.
Sex: a. A term referring to physical gender signifiers used to assign gender at birth and to reinscribe gender
throughout life, including genitalia, gonads, chromosomes, hormones, and secondary sex characteristics. As
such, it assumes a gender binary and proscribes gender according to biological criteria. b. Arousal or erotic
behavior with oneself or with others.
Sexuality: One’s unique expression and experience of arousal or erotic attraction, often understood in terms
of the gender of those involved. Includes but is not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, kink, BDSM (bondage-
domination-sadism-masochism), heterosexual, queer, polyamorous, fetish.
SO (Significant Other): One or more people with whom one is particularly emotionally or practically
interdependent. Includes but is not limited to partner, husband, wife, spouse, lover.
SOFFA (Significant Others, Family, Friends, Allies): One’s community of support.
SRS (Sexual Reassignment Surgery): A procedure that employs surgical and hormonal treatment to obtain
desired physical characteristics of another gender.
TG: Abbreviation for Transgender.
TS: Abbreviation for Transsexual.
Trans: Shortened term or identity often used to encompass and blur or erase the distinctions between
Transgender, Transsexual, and Transition.
Transgender: Having a gender identity that does not conform to the gender assigned at birth. Usually
understood as a general or umbrella term that encompasses a range of trans identities, including but not
limited to Transsexual, Genderqueer, Intersex, and Cross-Dressers. Transgender people may or may not
choose surgical or hormonal treatment.
Transition: The life-long process of moving from the gender assigned at birth to another gender. Usually
understood as involving some level of surgical or hormonal treatment, but which may also refer to role,
identity or name changes.
Transman: Someone assigned female gender at birth, for whom the assigned gender does not fit. Can be
used as an inclusive term for all transgender people who are predominantly male-identified. Also, FTM,
Trans Man, TransMan.
Transsexual: Having a gender identity that does not conform to the gender assigned at birth. Usually
someone who seeks to live full-time as another gender, especially through surgical or hormonal treatment to
obtain desired physical characteristics. Often used in conjunction with the terms FTM or MTF.
Transwoman: Someone assigned male gender at birth, for whom the assigned gender does not fit. Can be
used as an inclusive term for all transgender people who are predominantly female-identified. Also, MTF,
Trans Woman, TransWoman.
communities and a resource provided in conjunction with our other posted material. This glossary has been
compiled from a number of sources. There is no universal agreement on the definitions of these various
terms, and this tool is not intended to provide or imply one, but rather to offer a general understanding of
words and terms that may be helpful when living and working in, with, and through the trans communities.
CD (Cross Dresser): Someone who adopts the dress, manner, or role of a gender other than that assigned
at birth, usually for emotional or sexual reasons. Cross dressers are usually comfortable with the gender
they were assigned at birth and do not wish to transition. Previously called Transvestites.
Chromosomal: Pertaining to a rod-shaped element of the cell that appears in the nucleus as cells start to
divide. Usually X and Y.
FTM (Female to Male): Someone assigned female gender at birth, for whom the assigned gender does not
fit. Can be used as an inclusive term for all transgender people who are predominantly male-identified. Also,
Transman, Trans Man, TransMan.
Gender: A set of complex and often contradictory socially constructed signifiers associated with a person’s
masculinity or femininity. Includes but is not limited to genitalia, gonads, chromosomes, hormones,
secondary sex characteristics, psychological or emotional self-understanding, roles, clothing, mannerisms,
interests, and language. Gender is and can be assigned at birth, assigned by others interpreting these
signifiers, or claimed for and expressed by one’s self.
Gender Binary: The social construct that limits human gender expression to a choice between only male
and female. The assumption that all people can and should conform to one of two genders. One legacy of
the gender binary, even for those who reject it, is a limited common vocabulary with which to describe
ourselves, others, and human gender expression.
Gender Dysmorphia: A clinical term which characterizes a feeling of incongruity with the gender assigned at
birth. Also Gender Dysphoria.
Gender Identity: How one understands and expresses one’s own gender, which may or may not conform to
the gender assigned at birth. Gender identity is not limited by the binary or by genitals and other signifiers.
Genderqueer: A person or identity that does not conform to or intentionally plays with the gender binary.
Most often used specifically in contrast to Transgender to avoid connotations of transition.
Gender Role: A set of socially constructed assumptions of how a person should think, feel, and act based
on their gender. Among other things, these definitions vary by culture, class, region, age, and race and
ethnicity.
Genitals: Reproductive organs. Usually vagina and penis.
Gonadal: Pertaining to the gonads or sex glands. Usually ovaries and testes.
Hormonal: Pertaining to chemicals produced by glands in the body which control the actions of certain cells
or organs. Usually estrogen and testosterone.
Intersex: Persons whose hormones, chromosomes, gonads, and genitalia do not conform to the socially
constructed standard of the gender binary. There are more than 70 intersex conditions, some of which are
not apparent at birth. Intersex persons are often subjected to physically, emotionally, and sexually harmful
“reconstructive” surgeries at young ages. Previously called Hermaphrodites.
MTF (Male to Female): Someone assigned male gender at birth, for whom the assigned gender does not fit.
Can be used as an inclusive term for all transgender people who are predominantly female-identified. Also,
Transwoman, Trans Woman, TransWoman.
Secondary Sex Characteristics: Gender signifiers affected by hormones and usually developed at
puberty. Includes but is not limited to menstruation, facial and other hair patterns, breasts, and larynx.
Sex: a. A term referring to physical gender signifiers used to assign gender at birth and to reinscribe gender
throughout life, including genitalia, gonads, chromosomes, hormones, and secondary sex characteristics. As
such, it assumes a gender binary and proscribes gender according to biological criteria. b. Arousal or erotic
behavior with oneself or with others.
Sexuality: One’s unique expression and experience of arousal or erotic attraction, often understood in terms
of the gender of those involved. Includes but is not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, kink, BDSM (bondage-
domination-sadism-masochism), heterosexual, queer, polyamorous, fetish.
SO (Significant Other): One or more people with whom one is particularly emotionally or practically
interdependent. Includes but is not limited to partner, husband, wife, spouse, lover.
SOFFA (Significant Others, Family, Friends, Allies): One’s community of support.
SRS (Sexual Reassignment Surgery): A procedure that employs surgical and hormonal treatment to obtain
desired physical characteristics of another gender.
TG: Abbreviation for Transgender.
TS: Abbreviation for Transsexual.
Trans: Shortened term or identity often used to encompass and blur or erase the distinctions between
Transgender, Transsexual, and Transition.
Transgender: Having a gender identity that does not conform to the gender assigned at birth. Usually
understood as a general or umbrella term that encompasses a range of trans identities, including but not
limited to Transsexual, Genderqueer, Intersex, and Cross-Dressers. Transgender people may or may not
choose surgical or hormonal treatment.
Transition: The life-long process of moving from the gender assigned at birth to another gender. Usually
understood as involving some level of surgical or hormonal treatment, but which may also refer to role,
identity or name changes.
Transman: Someone assigned female gender at birth, for whom the assigned gender does not fit. Can be
used as an inclusive term for all transgender people who are predominantly male-identified. Also, FTM,
Trans Man, TransMan.
Transsexual: Having a gender identity that does not conform to the gender assigned at birth. Usually
someone who seeks to live full-time as another gender, especially through surgical or hormonal treatment to
obtain desired physical characteristics. Often used in conjunction with the terms FTM or MTF.
Transwoman: Someone assigned male gender at birth, for whom the assigned gender does not fit. Can be
used as an inclusive term for all transgender people who are predominantly female-identified. Also, MTF,
Trans Woman, TransWoman.
| Transgender Glossary |
