Transgender
Hear this word Transgender
Also known as: Trans
Image description: Transgender pride flags
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What Is It?
A person who does not identify with the sex they were assigned when they were born.
An Example
Stacy was assigned male at birth but has always known that she is a woman. Stacy uses she/her pronouns and is working on changing her name legally. She wears clothes and accessories that affirm her gender. Stacy is also working with a healthcare professional to get gender-affirming hormone therapy.
What to Know
Every glossary word connects to different parts of the Sexuality Wheel. Explore the information below to learn more.
- A gender transition (or transitioning) is when a person makes changes in their life to live in their gender identity. Some examples of changes a person might make while transitioning include a legal name change, changing the body with gender-affirming hormones, exercise, or surgeries, or changing the way a person dresses.
- A person can be transgender whether they go through a gender transition or not.
- A transgender person can use any gender identity (such as non-binary, woman, or man) and any sexual orientation (such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer or asexual).
- To learn more about gender transitioning, visit the Planned Parenthood website
- With the help of supportive people and kind care providers, transitioning can help to increase feelings of happiness and satisfaction and decrease feelings of hopelessness and depression.
- A transgender person can have any sexual orientation (such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer or asexual).
Think about
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What did you learn about what it means to be transgender?
To learn more, explore websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub or visit other parts of Your Sexual Health Toolkit like our online game, Our Stories, Our Journeys: A Sexual Health Game!
What questions do you have?
Write down or record an audio note with any questions you have to ask someone you trust. You may also find answers to your questions by using websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub.