Transgender

The transgender flag by Monica Helms

### Counterpart or opposite

* Cisgender (having a gender identity which matches the person's birth assignment)
* Non-transgender (not being transgender)

**Transgender**, often shortened to **trans**, is a gender modality in which one's gender identity and birth assignment are not identical. This includes women who were assigned male at birth (transgender women), men who were assigned female at birth (transgender men), and nonbinary people, among others. Transgender people may or may not transition. An asterisk (\*) or plus sign (+) is sometimes added to the end of "trans" or "transgender" to explicitly signal the inclusion of nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and related identities. Transgender people may or may not experience gender dysphoria.

While nonbinary people (and others under the nonbinary umbrella) are included in the transgender label, not all nonbinary people identify as transgender. Some may instead identify as cisgender, isogender, ipsogender, ultergender, or other gender modalities, and some may not label their gender modality whatsoever.

Sometimes people mistakenly use terms such as "transgendered," or use the transgender label as a noun ("transgenders; a transgender"). This displays a lack of understanding, and is often considered offensive. The word "transgender" is an adjective, and it is correct to say "transgender," "transgender people," or "a transgender person." The term "transgenderism" is also incorrect, and is often used to imply that transgender modality is a "condition" or "illness." One should instead say "being transgender," "transgender identity," "transgender modality," or "the transgender experience."

## Etymology

The prefix *trans-* means "across from," which is combined with the word "gender." Essentially, the term "transgender" etymologically means "across from one gender to another".

## History

The transgender label was initially popularized in the 1970s as an alternative to the existing terms "transvestite" and "transsexual." The word "transvestite" was used to refer to people who subverted gender roles via dress, while still identifying as their gender assigned at birth. The word "transsexual" was used to refer to people whose gender identity did not correspond with their birth assignment, and pursued medical transition. Thus, the term "transgender" was coined for people whose gender identity did not correspond with their birth assignment, but did not pursue medical transition.

Presently, the transgender label is an umbrella term for all individuals whose gender identity and birth assignment are not identical, regardless of whether one pursues medical transition or not. The transsexual label is still sometimes used by transgender people who medically transition, but is often considered outdated.

## Distinction

### Transsexual

***Main article:** Transsexual*

Transsexual, also spelled transexual, is largely used as a term for transgender people who have medically transitioned, or plan to. It is also sometimes used as a direct synonym for the transgender label, referring to anyone whose gender identity and birth assignment differ. Some definitions suggest that transsexuality may also refer to anyone who has opted to medically transition, regardless of whether one identifies with their birth assignment or not. Such definitions refer exclusively to medical transition, and do not involve internal gender identity.[*source?*]

The transsexual label, unlike the transgender label, is not used as an umbrella term. It has heavy medical connotations, and is largely regarded as outdated, offensive, and stigmatizing. It should only be applied to those who have explicitly opted into the transsexual label, and it should never be assumed that a transgender person is comfortable with being referred to in that way.

### "Transvestite"

***Main article:** Cross-dressing*

Cross-dressing is a form of gender nonconformity in which one dresses in clothes typically associated with a different gender. This is typically the "opposite" gender, such as a man dressing in clothing associated with women, or a woman dressing in clothing associated with men. People who cross-dress may be referred to as cross-dressers.

The word "transvestite" is also sometimes used to refer to cross-dressers; however, this term is often considered offensive and outdated. This word has historically conflated transgender and gender-nonconforming people, and has been used to dehumanize and pathologize both groups. The label "tranvestite" should only be applied to those who have explicitly opted into it, and it should never be assumed that a transgender or gender nonconforming person is comfortable with being referred to in that way.

Unlike transgender people, cross-dressers do not necessarily have a gender identity which differs from their birth assignment. When a transgender person dresses in gender-affirming clothing, this is not referred to as cross-dressing. Most commonly, the term "cross-dresser" refers to cisgender men who dress in a way which is culturally associated with women. This is especially due to "men's clothing" being perceived as gender neutral in western societies. Thus, when a woman dresses in clothing associated with men, it does not draw as much attention as the reverse.[*source?*]

### Nonbinary

***Main article:** Nonbinary*

Nonbinary, also spelled non-binary, is an umbrella term for gender identities which do not follow the gender binary. This includes people who are simultaneously men and women, people who are neither, people whose gender is fluid and/or fluctuating, genderless people, and anyone else who is not always, solely, and completely a man or woman. Nonbinary people may identify with manhood, masculinity, womanhood, and/or femininity in some capacity, or may not identify with any of those things. The nonbinary label can also be used as a standalone identity. Nonbinary people are included under the transgender umbrella, but not all nonbinary people identify as transgender. Likewise, not all transgender people are nonbinary.

### Genderqueer

***Main article:** Genderqueer*

Genderqueer is an identity in which one queers gender in some way, and can sometimes be used as an umbrella term for queer gender identities and experiences. This generally includes nonbinary people, but can also include gender nonconforming people, transgender people, and anyone else with a queer relationship to gender.[*source?*] Not all genderqueer people identify as transgender, and not all transgender people identify as genderqueer.

### Intersex

***Main article:*** *Intersex*

Intersex is an umbrella term for sex variations that cannot be neatly defined as male or female. This term refers to the sex characteristics that one is born with or naturally develops, and does not refer to gender identity, gender modality, or birth assignment. Intersex people are often assigned male or female at birth, even if they were recognized as being intersex. Intersex infants and children are sometimes forced to undergo nonconsensual "corrective" surgeries if their genitalia is deemed "too ambiguous." This is done with the intent of producing anatomy which more closely resembles 'male' or 'female' genitalia. This is referred to as coercive birth assignment.

Some intersex people identify as the gender they were assigned at birth, while others do not. Additionally, of those who do not identify with their birth assignment, some may identify as transgender, while others may not. Not all transgender people are intersex, and not all intersex people are transgender.

### Gender-nonconforming

***Main article:*** *Gender-nonconforming*

Gender-nonconforming, also spelled gender nonconforming or gender non-conforming, and often abbreviated to GNC, is a term for anyone who subverts gender norms and roles through their gender expression. For example, a man whose expression is feminine could be considered gender-nonconforming, as could a woman whose expression is fluid, among other forms of gender-nonconformity. The term also sometimes encompasses nonbinary genders. Not all gender-nonconforming people are transgender, and not all transgender people are gender-nonconforming.

## Flag

The transgender flag was designed by Monica Helms on August 19, 1999. Light blue and light pink were chosen due to it being the traditional color for baby boys and girls, respectively. The white stripe represents intersex people, nonbinary people, and those who are in the process of transitioning. It is symmetrical, so no matter which way it flies, it is always correct. This symbolizes transgender modality being correct for transgender people.

Another transgender flag was designed by Johnathan "Captain John" Andrew in the same year. The flag represents going from male (blue) to female (pink), female to male, or somewhere in between. The white accents represent the small triumphs during the journey to become whole. The lavender symbol represents transgender men, transgender women, intersex people, people who are both men and women (bigender, androgyne, and similar), and people whose gender shifts (genderfluid, genderflux, and similar).

A gradient transgender flag was proposed by Jennifer Pellinen on July 20, 2002. She did not know of any other transgender flags at the time. It was stated to be for transgender pride, but it may also apply to cross-dressers due to one of the reasons behind the flag's creation: "...most cross dressers are not gay. If they use the rainbow flag people will think they are gay." However, it is also possible that transgender people were being conflated with cross-dressers here. The flag is a gradient of pink, purple, and blue. Pink and blue represents men and women. The purple stripes represent diversity and nonbinary genders.

## Symbol

The transgender symbol (⚧) incorporates two common gender symbols: the Venus symbol (♀), commonly used to represent women and femininity, and the Mars symbol (♂), commonly used to represent men and masculinity. It is a circle with the tail from the Venus symbol on the bottom, the tail from the Mars symbol in the upper right side, and a combined tail in the upper left side. The symbol was originally drawn by Holly Boswell, who passed it onto Wendy Parker, who passed it onto Nancy R. Nangeroni, who then made a digital version of the symbol. She made it blue, and additionally placed over a pink triangle, showing solidarity with gay men. However, the symbol is now most commonly used without the pink triangle.

There are several additional versions of the transgender symbol. For example, the combined tail is sometimes replaced with the tail from a nonbinary/genderqueer symbol, which resembles an asterisk or star (\*). A fist is also sometimes included in the center circle, signaling intersectional feminism; this is sometimes known as the transfeminism or trans-activism symbol. The center circle also sometimes features an equal sign, symbolizing transgender equality. There is also a symbol for transgender anarchy, which feature an anarchy symbol or 'A' in the center circle.[*source?*]

## Gallery

An alternate transgender symbol.The transfeminism/trans-activism symbol.The transgender equality symbol.The transgender anarchy symbol.
## Notes

1. ↑ While nonbinary people are included under the nonbinary umbrella, nonbinary people do not always identify as transgender.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Ashley, Florence (2019-02-28). Gender modality: Proposal for new terminology (English). Medium.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Ashley, Florence (2019-03-27). 'Trans' is my gender modality: A Modest Terminological Proposal (English).
3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 Understanding Gender Identities. The Trevor Project (2021-08-23). Archived from the original on November 21, 2021.
4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 Transgender People. GLAAD. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Transgender (Trans) (English). The Trans Language Primer. Archived from the original on February 10, 2022.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Frequently Asked Questions about Transgender People. National Center for Transgender Equality (2016-07-09).
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Transgender Definition & Meaning. Merriam-Webster.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 What Does It Mean to be Transgender?. them (2022-04-25).
9. ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 Trans and Intersex Glossary. OULGBTQ+ Society.
10. ↑ Trans+ (English). The Trans Language Primer. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022.
11. ↑ Steinmetz, Katy (2018-04-03). The Oxford English Dictionary Added 'Trans\*.' Here's What the Label Means. TIME.
12. ↑ What is Gender Dysphoria?. American Psychiatric Association.
13. ↑ Mayo Clinic Staff. Gender dysphoria. Mayo Clinic.
14. ↑ Whittle, Stephen (2010-06-02). A brief history of transgender issues. The Guardian.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Is There a Difference Between Being Transgender and Transsexual?. healthline.
16. ↑ Transsexual Definition & Meaning. Merriam-Webster.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Lane, S. Nicole (2021-01-17). What Is Genderqueer?. Verywell Health.
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 PFLAG National Glossary of Terms. PFLAG. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
19. ↑ 'LGBTI' People and Communities. LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (2019-06-28). Archived from the original on April 20, 2021.
20. ↑ Is a person who is intersex a hermaphrodite?. Intersex Society of North America. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
21. ↑ Gender nonconforming Definition & Meaning. Merriam-Webster.
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Gender Non-Conforming (GNC) (English). The Trans Language Primer.
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 History of the Pride Flag (2015-03-10). Archived from the original on March 8, 2021.
24. ↑ Pride-O-Rama. Adventures in Boyland.
25. ↑ Nangeroni, Nancy R. (July 1994). Transgender Symbol. GenderTalk.
26. ↑ History of Transgender Symbolism. T-Girl Publishing (2015). Archived from the original on June 1, 2021.