What does it mean to be transgender?

A transgender person is someone who identifies more closely with the gender identity associated with the opposite of their birth sex. Generally, anyone whose identity, appearance or behavior falls outside the conventional norms of their sex can be described as transgender.  

Sex refers to a person’s physical attributes (DNA, reproductive organs, sex hormones, genitalia).

Gender refers to the ways in which people act, interact, or feel about themselves which are associated with boys/men and girls/women. Conventional gender traits come from culture as opposed to sex, which is the same across cultures.

When and how does a person learn they are transgender?

Transgender people experience their transgender feelings in a variety of ways. Some can trace their transgender identities or gender-atypical attitudes and behaviors back to their earliest memories. Others become aware of their transgender identities or begin to experience gender-atypical attitudes and behaviors much later in life. Some transgender people accept or embrace their transgender feelings, while others struggle with feelings of shame or confusion.

Do transgender people live as the opposite sex?

Many transgender people decide to live either full or part-time as members of the other gender. However, this is not always the case. There are a number of different ways that transgender people choose to express their identities, and not all transgender people make the same choices.

What is the difference between ‘transgender’ and ‘transsexual’?

Transsexuals are a type of transgender individuals who wish to live and be recognized as members of the opposite sex full time. Many transsexuals decide to have surgery or take hormone supplements to make their bodies as congruent as possible with their preferred gender. The process of transitioning from one gender to the other is called sex reassignment or gender reassignment.

What about transvestites?

Transvestite is another word for cross-dresser. Transvestites make up the majority of transgender individuals. Cross-dressers wear the clothing of the other sex- from one article of clothing to an entire outfit. The majority of cross-dressers are biological males that are attracted to females.

Does identifying as transgender mean that a person is a homosexual?

No, in fact, the great majority of cross-dressers are biological males, most of whom are sexually attracted to women. People generally experience gender identity and sexual orientation as two different things. Usually people who are attracted to women prior to transition continue to be attracted to women after transition and the same for men. That means, for example, that a biologic male who is attracted to females will be attracted to females after transitioning, and she may regard herself as a lesbian.

Is being transgender a mental disorder?

Many transgender people do not experience their transgender feelings and traits to be distressing or disabling. For these people, the significant problem is finding the resources, such as hormone treatment, surgery, and the social support they need, in order to express their gender identity and minimize discrimination. However, some transgender people have the distressing feeling of incongruity called gender dysphoria. People who experience intense, persistent gender dysphoria can be given the diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder. This diagnosis is highly controversial among some mental health professionals and transgender people.

Where can I find more information about transgender issues?