WHAT IS "TRANSGENDER"?
Have you heard the word "transgender" in the media, at school, or some other place recently, but you have no idea what it means? The term “transgender” means different things to different people, which can make it rather hard to define.
"Transgender," at its most basic level, is a word that applies to someone who doesn't fit within society's standards of how a woman or a man is supposed to look or act. Don't be afraid to ask questions.[6] Some, but certainly not all transgender people will answer questions related their identity / gender. Don't expect the transgender person to be your sole educator, however. It is your responsibility to inform yourself. Also, if a trans person doesn't feel comfortable answering your question, don't try and "force it out of them." Lastly, questions about genitalia, surgeries, and former names should usually only be asked if you need to know in order to provide medical care, are engaging in a sexual relationship with the transgender person, or need the former name for legal documentation.
" any awkwardness you feel for another time when you can talk privately. Definitely, if you want to remain friends, you will need to respect Our wishes and address us as who we are ,you might believe we are not the person you used to know; despite the fact that the transgender person IS the person you used to know, you just know them better now.
Treat us the same : While we may appreciate your extra attention you may give us , we're not a toy. We they appreciate your love but don't make big deal of us, remember we're human , just like you. To help understand us better educate and ask us so you are well-informed, make sure you're not going overboard. Transgender people have essentially the same personalities as we did before coming out. Treat us as you would anybody else.
“Transgender” can also be used as an umbrella term, meaning it groups together a variety of people with different identities. The common link is that people under the “transgender umbrella” don’t really fit within their society's standards of how women and men are supposed to look and act (in other words, they're "gender non-conforming").lets say Your friend Jack has just come out as a transgender person, and now wishes to be called Mary. From this point on, you do not say "This is my friend Jack,
Other important things to keep in mind:
“Transgender” is a relatively new word -- it's only been around for a few decades -- but it’s not a new concept. Gender non-conforming people have existed in many time periods and cultures.
A transgender identity is not dependent upon medical procedures. In other words, some transgender people have surgeries or take hormones to bring their body into alignment with their gender identity, BUT many do not medically alter their bodies, and that doesn't mean they're not transgender.
You might think someone is transgender, but this is a personal identity that some people claim and others do not. Wait to see how someone self-identifies (or ask, respectfully) before assuming. If you slip up early on and say "she" or "he" when you meant the other, don't apologize too much, just follow the mistake with the right term and continue what you were saying.
Those who have begun to express a gender different from the one assigned at birth are usually undergoing a major life changing event. Patience, understanding, and a willingness to discuss issues these changes will bring about will help them through a difficult and emotional time. It is best to ask open ended questions that allow the person to share as much as they feel comfortable sharing. Examples: "How are things going?"; "You looked stressed. Care to share?"; "You look really happy. Something good happen?"; "How can I help support you during these changes?"; "I am all ears if there are things that wish to discuss."
Not all transgender people pursue genital reconstruction surgery (GRS). GRS is almost always more appropriate to use than "sex change operation." Don't assume that it's appropriate to ask about a person's plans for surgery, hormones, and so forth, any more than you would pry into someone else's medical affairs. Moreover, don't assume that there is only one "right," path to transition (e.g. that to "really be transgender" or to "finish your transition," you need to have GRS).
This condition was known medically as Gender Identity Disorder (GID), but there is much contention around that term. Some believe the problem lies in society's refusal to acknowledge the variations of sex and gender present in nature (including human beings). Others critique GID as pathologizing the transgender community, because it strongly implies that to be trans is to have a disorder. Today, the term that has broader acceptance in the medical and transgender community is Gender Dysphoria.
Some people believe that the only "cure" for being transgender is to correct the physical appearance (with surgery and/or hormones) to match the mental gender identity. These people believe there is a problem with the body, not the mind. Current medical evidence and authorities support the effectiveness of these treatments (See AMA, APA, APA, NASW and WPATH statements.) Some people believe that it is society's gender expectations and limitations for men and women are the core issue and need to reflect an acceptance of a wider variety of gender express
Unless you have a close and personal relationship, it may be rude to ask what their "real" name or birth name was -- they consider the name they have chosen to suit their gender (if they have done so) to be their real name, and they want you to think of them that way.
Asking about trans peoples' genitals and how they have sex is not appropriate, in the same way that asking cisgender (those whose bodies naturally match their gender preference) people how they have sex is not appropriate.please don't
Ask about trans peoples' genitals and how they have sex is not appropriate, in the same way that asking cisgender (those whose bodies naturally match their gender preference) people how they have sex is not appropriate.
Many believe that the word "transgender" is an adjective, and a descriptive word; not a noun or a verb. Others believe otherwise. Just as you wouldn't call an older person "an old" or say they are "olded", it is inappropriate to refer to a transgender person as "a transgender" without adding "person", "woman", "man", or any other appropriate noun. Some transgender people also consider this objectifying and dehumanizing.
Huggs Gidget Groendyk
Have you heard the word "transgender" in the media, at school, or some other place recently, but you have no idea what it means? The term “transgender” means different things to different people, which can make it rather hard to define.
"Transgender," at its most basic level, is a word that applies to someone who doesn't fit within society's standards of how a woman or a man is supposed to look or act. Don't be afraid to ask questions.[6] Some, but certainly not all transgender people will answer questions related their identity / gender. Don't expect the transgender person to be your sole educator, however. It is your responsibility to inform yourself. Also, if a trans person doesn't feel comfortable answering your question, don't try and "force it out of them." Lastly, questions about genitalia, surgeries, and former names should usually only be asked if you need to know in order to provide medical care, are engaging in a sexual relationship with the transgender person, or need the former name for legal documentation.
" any awkwardness you feel for another time when you can talk privately. Definitely, if you want to remain friends, you will need to respect Our wishes and address us as who we are ,you might believe we are not the person you used to know; despite the fact that the transgender person IS the person you used to know, you just know them better now.
Treat us the same : While we may appreciate your extra attention you may give us , we're not a toy. We they appreciate your love but don't make big deal of us, remember we're human , just like you. To help understand us better educate and ask us so you are well-informed, make sure you're not going overboard. Transgender people have essentially the same personalities as we did before coming out. Treat us as you would anybody else.
“Transgender” can also be used as an umbrella term, meaning it groups together a variety of people with different identities. The common link is that people under the “transgender umbrella” don’t really fit within their society's standards of how women and men are supposed to look and act (in other words, they're "gender non-conforming").lets say Your friend Jack has just come out as a transgender person, and now wishes to be called Mary. From this point on, you do not say "This is my friend Jack,
Other important things to keep in mind:
“Transgender” is a relatively new word -- it's only been around for a few decades -- but it’s not a new concept. Gender non-conforming people have existed in many time periods and cultures.
A transgender identity is not dependent upon medical procedures. In other words, some transgender people have surgeries or take hormones to bring their body into alignment with their gender identity, BUT many do not medically alter their bodies, and that doesn't mean they're not transgender.
You might think someone is transgender, but this is a personal identity that some people claim and others do not. Wait to see how someone self-identifies (or ask, respectfully) before assuming. If you slip up early on and say "she" or "he" when you meant the other, don't apologize too much, just follow the mistake with the right term and continue what you were saying.
Those who have begun to express a gender different from the one assigned at birth are usually undergoing a major life changing event. Patience, understanding, and a willingness to discuss issues these changes will bring about will help them through a difficult and emotional time. It is best to ask open ended questions that allow the person to share as much as they feel comfortable sharing. Examples: "How are things going?"; "You looked stressed. Care to share?"; "You look really happy. Something good happen?"; "How can I help support you during these changes?"; "I am all ears if there are things that wish to discuss."
Not all transgender people pursue genital reconstruction surgery (GRS). GRS is almost always more appropriate to use than "sex change operation." Don't assume that it's appropriate to ask about a person's plans for surgery, hormones, and so forth, any more than you would pry into someone else's medical affairs. Moreover, don't assume that there is only one "right," path to transition (e.g. that to "really be transgender" or to "finish your transition," you need to have GRS).
This condition was known medically as Gender Identity Disorder (GID), but there is much contention around that term. Some believe the problem lies in society's refusal to acknowledge the variations of sex and gender present in nature (including human beings). Others critique GID as pathologizing the transgender community, because it strongly implies that to be trans is to have a disorder. Today, the term that has broader acceptance in the medical and transgender community is Gender Dysphoria.
Some people believe that the only "cure" for being transgender is to correct the physical appearance (with surgery and/or hormones) to match the mental gender identity. These people believe there is a problem with the body, not the mind. Current medical evidence and authorities support the effectiveness of these treatments (See AMA, APA, APA, NASW and WPATH statements.) Some people believe that it is society's gender expectations and limitations for men and women are the core issue and need to reflect an acceptance of a wider variety of gender express
Unless you have a close and personal relationship, it may be rude to ask what their "real" name or birth name was -- they consider the name they have chosen to suit their gender (if they have done so) to be their real name, and they want you to think of them that way.
Asking about trans peoples' genitals and how they have sex is not appropriate, in the same way that asking cisgender (those whose bodies naturally match their gender preference) people how they have sex is not appropriate.please don't
Ask about trans peoples' genitals and how they have sex is not appropriate, in the same way that asking cisgender (those whose bodies naturally match their gender preference) people how they have sex is not appropriate.
Many believe that the word "transgender" is an adjective, and a descriptive word; not a noun or a verb. Others believe otherwise. Just as you wouldn't call an older person "an old" or say they are "olded", it is inappropriate to refer to a transgender person as "a transgender" without adding "person", "woman", "man", or any other appropriate noun. Some transgender people also consider this objectifying and dehumanizing.
Huggs Gidget Groendyk
