Terminology
Terminology
To learn about trans inclusion, you will need to be familiar with key terms related to social, legal, and medical context for trans people.
You may come across the following terms throughout the module:
A person whose gender identity is genderless or neutral.
Refers to the sex people are given at birth, including male and female. This is usually assigned based on genital appearance, chromosomes, and hormones.
When a person’s gender identity is consistent with the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, a cisgender woman refers to when a person is assigned female at birth and identifies as a woman.
Deadnaming occurs when you refer to someone by the name they used before they transitioned. Doing this is invalidating to the person affected and may even ‘out’ the person. The definition of outing is available further down the menu.
To avoid deadnaming, it is important to respect and use the name people want you to use. When discussing a trans person’s name with another person, use an active voice. For example, say “that person’s name is Rohan” rather than “that person goes by Rohan” or “that person prefers to be called Rohan”. You can see other examples of good practice in Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)’s Media Reference Guide.
Refers to how a person chooses to outwardly express their gender. This could be through clothing, demeanour, and mannerisms. Gender expression is usually culturally determined and interpreted through gender norms.
A person’s internal sense of their own gender. This includes man, woman, non-binary.
Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and more. It is important to note that lesbian, gay, bi, and trans people are not a homogeneous group. Where possible, especially in research or data, be specific and distinguish between the sub-groups.
You may hear other variations of this term, including LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer) or LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and more).
Using words or pronouns to describe a person that reflects how they identified before transitioning. For example, this includes referring to a woman as “he” or using the word “guy” to describe this person.
When you are uncertain how a person identifies, you can use their name to refer to them until you know their pronouns. You can also use they/them/their pronouns. However, if a person requests that you use gendered language or gendered pronouns, respect the wishes of the person.
A category of pronouns that are used instead of more common pronouns. Some examples of neo-pronouns are xe/xem/xyr (pronounced zee/zem/zeer), and ze/hir/hirs (pronounced zee/heer/heers).
An umbrella term for people whose gender identity does not sit entirely, or comfortably, within the gender binary of man or woman.
Coming ‘out’ refers to when an LGBT+ person first tells someone about their orientation and/or gender identity.
Being ‘outed’ refers to when an LGBT+ person’s sexual orientation or gender identity is disclosed without the person’s consent.
Please note that people may not be ‘out’ in all situations and environments. For instance, some people may be open about their sexuality in their personal life, but do not disclose this at work. LGBT+ people do not have to ‘come out’ to be valid in who they are.
Refers to a person’s sexual attraction to another person. This can include sexual orientations of heterosexual, homosexual, pansexual, asexual. It is important to note that sexual orientation is different from gender. Also, trans people can identify with any sexual orientation or lack thereof.
Short for transgender, an umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth. Trans people may, or may not, seek medical transition.
Transitioning refers to the steps that trans people may take to affirm their gender.
There are many ways that people may transition. For example, some trans people may socially transition such as dressing in a new style, participating in different activities, and changing their pronouns and/or name. For some trans people, transitioning may involve medical interventions such as hormone therapy or surgeries. However, not all trans people want, or are able, to have these medical interventions. Trans people may also legally transition, such as updating their name or gender mark on identification documents or at work.
It is important to note that there is no “right” way to transition. For instance, some people may socially transition and not medically, while some people may socially, medically, and legally transition. Each person’s transition will be different. It is inappropriate to ask people about whether they intent to, or have, transitioned.
Stonewall’s Glossary of Terms may be helpful if you would like to find out more.
Quiz
#1. What do you understand by non-binary?
#2. Which term fits this following description: “Refers to the person you’re attracted to, including heterosexual, homosexual, pansexual, asexual.”
Results
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