I am doing a follow-up from last week’s article for the purpose of clarification, in which I am providing a list of transgender words and their definitions.
- Androgyny/androgynous: refers to an individual who has both masculine and feminine characteristics.
- Butch: a woman (usually a lesbian) who has a masculine appearance, particularly in regard to her haircut.
- Cross-dressing: the act of an individual who dresses as a member of the opposite sex.
- Drag king: any female individual (sometimes a performer) who dresses and acts as a male individual.
- Drag queen: any male individual (sometimes a performer) who dresses and acts as a female individual.
- Dyke: derogatory term for a lesbian with a masculine appearance and behavior. Can be synonymous with the term butch.
- Gender bending/gender bender: when an individual looks or behaves in a manner considered to be androgynous or typical of the opposite sex.
- Gender identity: having a personal sense of one’s gender.
- Gender neutral/gender neutrality: the process of avoiding roles according to one’s gender.
- Non-binary: refers to an individual who does not view their gender identity as male or female. Also referred to as genderqueer or pangender.
- Sexual reassignment surgery: when an individual undergoes surgery to become a member of the opposite sex. Also referred to as gender-affirming surgery or a sex change operation.
- Tomboy: generally refers to a girl or young woman with masculine traits.
- Transgender: refers to anyone whose gender identity or gender expression does not correspond with their biological gender.
- Transgender hormone therapy: when an individual receives hormone therapy in order to become a member of the opposite sex.
- Transsexual: refers to anyone who identifies as a member of the opposite sex.
- Transvestite: an individual who dresses as a member of the opposite sex, usually in order to derive sexual pleasure. Can be synonymous with cross-dressing, androgyny, or gender bending.
I am also including the following words and their definitions:
- Intersex: refers to an individual who was born with both male and female characteristics, particularly an individual who was born with both male and female genitalia. Also referred to as a hermaphrodite.
- Pansexual: an individual who is attracted to other people regardless of their gender. Can sometimes be considered a form of bisexuality, which in turn is a romantic or sexual attraction towards members of both sexes.
