Transgender, often shortened to trans, is an umbrella term that describes an individual whose gender identity differs from their assigned gender at birth (AGAB).[1] Infants are assigned a sex[2] that is recorded on their birth certificate,[1] and is usually based only on the appearance of their external genitalia. The birth assignment—generally defaulting to assigned male at birth (AMAB) or assigned female at birth (AFAB)—assumes that the individual's gender identity will correspond to the sex they were assigned.[2] A person's gender identity—their sense of their own gender—usually develops when they are very young. The realization that their gender is different from what they were assigned can occur as early as three years old or in childhood prior to the onset of puberty. It may also happen later in life.[3]
Transgender people can be binary[note 1] or non-binary[note 2]. Some transgender individuals may experience at least one form of gender dysphoria during their life, usually manifesting as an intense distress with their assigned gender. However, this is not universal, and not experiencing dysphoria does not mean someone is not transgender. Transgender people may or may not transition socially and/or physically from their assigned gender to their actual gender identity, the reason for which being their own.[3]
Etymology
The term transgender came into use as an umbrella term during 1971 to make a distinction between sexuality and gender identity.[4] Transgender is a combination of the prefix trans—meaning "across, beyond, through, to change"—and the noun gender, creating an adjective that highlights the journey and/or change with one's gender identity.[5] The use of "transgender" rather than previous terminology increased in the early 1990s to emphasize gender rather than sex and to reject describing all trans people based on medical and psychological criteria.[3]
Community
History
Gender is perceived and expressed differently depending on culture, thus experiences with gender akin to being transgender exist under many different names. Even though the use of the term transgender is recent, there have always been individuals expressing their gender differently from their sex.[6]
Mary Jones is one of the earliest records of trans feminine individuals in US History. She was a sex worker who was charged with grand larceny in 1836. When she was subjected to a strip search, it was discovered she was assigned male at birth. She arrived to court wearing feminine attire and a wig, boldly explaining before a courtroom—which vilified her for her skin color and gender presentation—that she always presented that way and would not change.[7]
We'wha was a Lhamana individual who lived from 1849 to 1896. In Zuni culture, Lhamana individuals were born male but often presented femininely and took on the same responsibilities as women. We'wha studied crafts associated with women, such as pottery for ceremonial purposes and skills associated with men, like weaving. Their skills as a craftsperson became renowned, forming them into a Cultural Ambassador for the Zuni people.[8]
Hijra individuals are recognized as a third gender in Hindu society and are recorded in the holy texts of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, which date back to as early as 4th and 5th century. Hijra individuals are assigned male or intersex at birth and dress traditionally feminine. They leave home young to join a Hijra community to learn how to perform blessings for births and weddings.[9] Before British colonization, hijra individuals held powerful political positions in Sultanate and Mughal courts with responsibilities such as collecting taxes.[10]
Flag
Monica Helms designed the Transgender Pride Flag in August, 1999 and debuted it in 2000 at a Phoenix, Arizona, USA Pride parade. It consists of five horizontal stripes, two stripes are blue with each at the top and bottom, two pink stripes directly follow the blue with one white stripe in the center. The stripes are ordered this way so that the flag can be flown correctly in any direction, metaphoric for trans individuals finding correctness in oneself. The colors encompass the sprectrum of trans experiences. The blue represents masculinity, pink represents femininity, and white represents those who are transitioning, gender neutral, gender non-conforming, or non-binary.[11]
Distinction
Non-binary
- Main article: Non-binary
Non-binary identities are included under the transgender umbrella term as they are people whose gender differs from what they were assigned at birth. However, the two identities are distinct, and people can identify as both trans and non-binary. A binary transgender person differs from their birth assignment by identifying as a man or a woman rather than female or male. A non-binary person may never identify with either binary term, or they may partially identify with either or both terms, which can include their birth assignment. A trans non-binary person is thus someone who both does not identify with their birth assignment (trans) and has a gender identity that is neither exclusively man nor woman (non-binary). Not all non-binary people identify as trans and not all trans people identify as non-binary.[3]
Intersex
- Main article: Intersex
Intersex is an umbrella term used for a variety of situations in which a person is born with sexual or reproductive anatomy that does not fit the typical binary of a male or female body. These differences include hormonal variations, chromosomal differences, and differentiation in sexual anatomy (including external and internal reproductive organs).[12][13]
Intersex people are not inherently transgender, as the term denotes sex traits and anatomical, hormonal or chromosomal differences that a person was born with. However, a person who is intersex might identify as transgender alongside their intersex identity if they identify as a gender different what they were assigned at birth. One cannot "transition" to being intersex as it describes a difference in reproductive anatomy that has existed since birth, as opposed to a person who is trans having a gender that is different from their assigned gender at birth.[13]
Two Spirit
Controversy
If there has been a specific variety of this identity-phobic discourse that has led to discrediting it please detail that here. If there have been similar -phobic discourses around popular flags, it can also be documented in this section.
Perceptions and discrimination
Many transgender people transition physically through hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and/or surgeries to bring their bodies into alignment with their gender identity. However, not all people wish to, choose to, or have access to resources that would allow for this form of transition.[3] Non-transgender people often overemphasize medical transitioning, but a trans person's identity is self-determined, not dependent upon procedures or appearance.[1] In a 2018 survey, 52% of transgender people sought HRT or other medical care to help transition to their correct gender.[14]
For some, the desire to transition stems from their own gender dysphoria, referring to the experience of intense distress with the lack of alignment between body and identity. Dysphoria is not experienced by every trans person and it is not a necessary "symptom" to determine that somebody other than oneself is trans. However, because medical transitioning involves medical professionals, it often requires a diagnosis that includes dysphoria in its criteria.[3] Dysphoria often begins in childhood, but some people first experience it after puberty.[15]
In the 21st century, being transgender and advocating for transgender rights has been incorrectly viewed as a trend or a fad that will pass; however, it is documented that such a belief is a product of Western colonialism, and transgender people have always existed.[16] Western colonialism began around the 15th century at a time when European countries sought to increase their power through conquering and exploiting other nations and indigenous peoples. One of the many tactics of colonialism the enforcing of its culture and language on another. Western Colonialism was so widespread that by 1914, most nations in the world were colonized by European forces at some point.[17] Western colonialism demonized anyone who did not fit in with cisnormativity and heteronormativity, and enforced assimilation versus annihilation, which caused trans erasure in history. Before then, transgender individuals went by many different names in various cultures around the world, often with sacred and/or important positions in their societies.[18] (See History for more)
Gender essentialism and the gender binary introduced by Western colonialism still impacts the way transgender individuals are stigmatized as defiant/deviant. The stigma denies equal-opportunity to prosperity as it impacts every aspect of life, some just being: economic, financial and housing stability, having a familial or social support system and mental health.[19]
Media
This section should be used to elaborate on the portrayal and representation of this identity in various forms of media, which can include a listing or links to various artists or movies, series, etc.
Literature
- George by Alex Gino
- Rick by Alex Gino
Television
Public figures
- Alexandra Billings
- Bex Taylor-Klaus
- Brian Michael Smith
- Carmen Rupe
- Chaz Bono
- Chella Man
- Daniela Sea
- Elliot Fletcher
- Elliot Page
- Ezra Furman
- Georgina Beyer
- Gia Gunn
- Gigi Goode
- Ian Harvie
- Jamie Clayton
- Janet Mock
- Jazz Jennings
- Jen Richards
- Kye Allums
- Laganja Estranja
- Mj Rodriguez
- Nicole Maine
- Rhys Ernst
- Silas Howard
- Tommy Dorfman
- Trace Lysette
Notes
- ↑ "Binary gender" refers to "man" or "woman".
- ↑ Non-binary is an umbrella term for genders that are not exclusively man or woman.
Resources
- The Trans Language Primer—Online information resource for the community, its cohorts, and service providers
- Trans Lifeline—Peer support by trans people, for trans people (US and Canada)
- National Center for Transgender Equality—Know Your Rights guides to legal rights in various situations, other self-help guides, information about various topics