Trans FAQ

Are you looking advice on how to support a trans person in your life, a curious ally, just someone who wants to learn more- or even trans yourself? Well, you're in the right place to learn!

This site is still being created so much more is yet to be added- check back for more soon or suggest something you'd like to see!

This website serves as a collection of information all compiled by one trans person to hopefully make learning more about trans people easier- and inspire new allies or even those unsure about their feelings on trans identities to educate themselves further. Because this is all compiled by one person, this will likely take quite awhile to finish, and will be rough around the edges for awhile as it is built.I am not a medical professional, do not use this in replacement or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical provider for specific and the most accurate information.Have further questions, suggestions, or critiques? I'm open to hear them!

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Last Updated 10/23/2021

⚧ TRANSGENDER adjective

trans·gen·der | \ tran(t)s-ˈjen-dər

: of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity differs from the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth

Gender is the concept that differentiates masculinity and femininity. Someone’s gender identity is how they personally perceive their gender.Someone can feel like one of the binary genders, man or woman, but may identify with neither, making them nonbinary. The term nonbinary is an umbrella term encompassing all genders that aren't strictly binary. This can be experiencing your gender as a blend of genders, a gender that shifts from different genders, or no gender at all.

Well, how does this all tie together? Let's have a look!Someone who is assigned female at birth and identifies as a woman is a cisgender or cis woman. Someone who is assigned male at birth and identifies as a man is a cis man.

Someone who was assigned female at birth but identifies as a man makes him transgender or a trans man.

Someone who was assigned male at birth but identifies as a woman makes her a trans woman.

Someone who was assigned male or female at birth but identifies as neither can make them nonbinary, and they can use the label nonbinary or another term more specific to their experience.

Each trans person has a preference on what terminology suits them best, so it's good to ask and listen to what each individual feels fits.

And more!

Gender expression is how someone expresses their gender through things like appearance, behavior, and interests based on stereotypes.

Masculine gender expression can be things like confidence, aggression, tall, muscular, pants, short hair, sporty attire.

Feminine gender expression can be things like kindness, emotional, short, curvy, dresses, makeup, long hair .

If someone's gender expression is androgynous, it is an ambiguous combination of masculine and feminine traits.

People can express their gender in many different ways, not always corresponding with their gender identity- called gender nonconforming, since their gender expression doesn't conform to typical stereotypes.Dressing like the opposite gender is known as cross-dressing, which can be a style choice, hobby, or profession. This is not the same as being transgender because cross-dressers can still identify with their birth assigned sex. Anyone can cross-dress, cis or trans!

People will sometimes argue that they believe gender should be determined by one's biological sex. This is unfair because biological sex isn't as simple as male and female, and gender stereotyping can negatively impact cis and trans people alike.Some cis men are shorter or cannot grow facial hair. Some cis women are muscular or have small breasts. Judging someone's gender based on these factors is discriminatory, cis or trans.Some people assume trans people transition to alter their sexuality, leaving them confused why someone would transition to still like the same gender. Sexualiy and gender identity aren't correlated, so a trans person's sexuality isn't relevant to their gender. Reducing someone's transition as a means of sexuality ignores the fact that transitioning is done to empower oneself and gain comfort, not change one's sexuality.

Trans men who love men are gay men.
Trans men who love women are straight.

Trans women who love men are straight.
Trans women who love women are lesbians.

Nonbinary people who love men are androsexual or toric.
Nonbinary people who love women are gynesexual or trixic.

In the end, it's up to each individual what sexuality defines them the best, so don't assume based on their gender or transition what label will suit them.Bisexuality (the attraction to more than one gender) encompasses all trans identities. Some people will also use the reclaimed term queer to express that they experience attraction that isn't heterosexual. Trans people who are only open to be with other transgender people are Trans for Trans aka T4T.

You might wonder why someone would not identify with their birth assigned sex, and there's a good reason for it! Trans people can experience gender dysphoria, a conflict between the sex they were assigned at birth and their gender identity. They can also feel gender euphoria, a feeling of connection and affirmation with their gender, through acknowledging their gender.Some trans people receive a gender incongruence diagnosis by a medical professional, as it may help or be required to take steps to transition. The criteria requires experiencing 2 or more of these symptoms for at least 6 months:

These feelings are not the same as:gender nonconformity (expressing your gender in a way contradicts traditional gender stereotypes. Someone can be gender nonconforming regardless of being cis or trans)body dysmorphia (a mental illness where there is an obsessive focus on a believed flaw in appearance. This isn't the same as gender dysphoria, but trans people can experience both)severe self hatred (gender dysphoria can make someone have feelings of self hatred or suicidal thoughts, but it is not required or true for everyone)or mental illness (being trans isn’t considered a mental illness, but gender dysphoria can cause symptoms of mental illness or worsen existing conditions symptoms)

Gender dysphoria doesn't always feel the exact same for each trans person, and dysphoria levels can fluctuate over time. Some days it isn't even noticeable, some days it's crushing, and some trans people feel little to no dysphoria at all.Personal dysphoria is a discomfort based on the difference of how you are versus the gender you identify as.Social dysphoria is a discomfort based on the fear of what gender other people perceive and treat you as.

Sometimes dysphoria won't be an issue until it is triggered by an outside factor like being misgendered (being referred to with the wrong gendered pronouns or titles) or deadnamed (being called your name that you were assigned at birth).Alternatively, gender euphoria is all of the positive feelings a trans person can have towards aspects of their gender.

Dysphoria can be alleviated, and euphoria can be caused and maintained by a process called transitioning.

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