Transgender another word
For additional tips on creating stories about transgender people, please see In Focus: Transgender People If you are seeking information about how to create gender nonconforming and nonbinary characters for film, TV, theater, video games, etc., please scan GLAAD’s TRANSform Hollywood instruction or contact the GLAAD Media Institute via press@glaad.org. More resources for content creators may be establish at glaad.org/transgender.
Glossary of Terms: Transgender
In order to comprehend many of the terms used by transgender and nonbinary people, it is necessary to understand the difference between sex at birth, gender, identity, and gender expression – and how those three things are not the matching as sexual orientation. Therefore, those four terms are defined first, and then additional terminology used by trans and nonbinary people follows.
Sex at Birth
Infants are assigned a sex at birth, “male” or “female,” based on the appearance of their external anatomy, and an M or an F is written on the birth certificate. However, the training of the human body is a complex process, and sex is not solely determined by anatomy, nor is it strictly binary. As many as 1.7% of people are
LGBTIQA+ Library Guide
Organisation of the glossary
This glossary contains commonly used terms related to sexuality, gender identity and gender expression. It is organised alphabetically, with terms linked to their antonym, synonyms, or closely related terms.
Antonym - contrary meaning or counterpart (e.g. Transgender/Cisgender)
Synonym - same meaning (Homosexual/Gay)
Closely connected term - Terms that own different meanings, but may arise in similar contexts (Nutrois/Non-binary)
Please note, the terms included in this glossary are not meant to be exhaustive. The language used by LGBTIQA+ communities to narrate themselves and their experiences are constantly evolving and novel terms or usages can quickly gain currency. If in doubt, always defer to people with LGBTIQA+ lived experience when using language that describes them.
This glossary is loosely based on the Glossary produced by the UC Davis LGBTQIA Resource Centre.
Glossary of Terms
Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because it feels taboo, or because they’re nervous of saying the wrong thing.
This glossary was written to help give people the words and meanings to aid make conversations easier and more easy . LGBTQ+ people utilize a variety of terms to determine themselves, not all of which are included in this glossary. Always pay attention for and respect a person’s self identified terminology.
Ally | A term used to describe someone who is actively supportive of Homosexual people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as adequately as those within the LGBTQ+ society who support each other (e.g., a lesbian who is an ally to the bisexual community).
Asexual | Often called “ace” for limited, asexual refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual task with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may encounter no, little or conditional sexual attraction.
Biphobia | The scare and hatred of, or discomfort with, people who admire and are sexually attracted to more than one gender.
Bisexual | A person emotiona
A guide to transgender terms
Transsexual
This is a term used by some people who permanently change their bodies, usually, but not always, using hormones or surgery. But some people who go through this process - known as the "transition" - prefer to be known simply as transgender, rather than transsexual. It's best to seek which people prefer.
Non-binary
Non-binary people are those who don't feel male or female. They may feel favor both or like something in between. They may have a gender that changes over time or they may not relate to gender at all.
Cisgender
This describes someone who is not transgender. For instance, someone who is named a boy at birth and continues to survive as a man would be cisgender. This covers the majority of the population, external.
"He" or "she"?
Using the appropriate pronouns when talking to someone who is transgender works on the basis of respect for the individual. Generally the name the person chooses to use indicates their gender preference. So, a transgender person called Steve would be referred to as "he", while another called Rachel would be "she". But if you are unsure,
Terminology
The following terms will help you navigate terminology used throughout this resource. Please note that these definitions are not exhaustive. The terms defined below are meant as a starting point in understanding.
Ally: Supporter or advocate for the lesbian, gay, double attraction or transgender group. Being an ally is about using inclusive language, displaying respect and sustain for your colleagues and in this case, members of the LGBT society through your conduct and your words. Typically, allies to lesbian, gay and bisexual people are straight and allies to transgender people are cisgender.
Cisgender: A term for people whose gender culture, expression or deed aligns with those typically associated with their assigned sex at birth. Cis- is the Latin prefix, meaning ‘on the same side’, to Trans- which means ‘across from.’ It is the accepted term for people who are “not transgender.”
Gender: The term “gender,” while often used interchangeably with “sex,” refers specifically to the behavioral, cultural, psychological or social traits typically associated with one sex, rather than biological characteristics.
Gender Expression: A person’s external characteri