It is clear now more than ever that chromosomes do not in every case determine a person’s gender. While biological sex is easily observable, gender is more complex and reflects an individual’s true sense of self. Many people do not feel comfortable in the gender that matches the sex into which they were born – this often manifests itself at an early age, and can be especially troubling when a person reaches puberty. Though the mainstream media talks from time to time about sex changes and cross-dressing, it often sends mixed messages. The following are some of the most common terms used to describe gender identity:
Transvestite/Cross-dresser
A transvestite is someone who dresses in clothing associated with the opposite gender. Many transvestites are heterosexual, and the term is usually used to refer to men and women who identify with their birth gender. There are many reasons to dress as the opposite gender, but it is important to recognize that transvestite does not mean transgender. Other common terms are “cross-dresser,” “drag king,” and “drag queen.”
Transgender
Transgender is a general term used to refer to a person who identifies with the opposite gender to the one into which he or she was born. Transgendered people often prefer to be referred to with the pronoun of the gender with which they identify, and will often adopt a gender presentation (appearance) to match. However, there is no one way to be transgendered, and transgendered people may present their gender in a variety of ways. Though transgendered people are often lumped in with the gay and lesbian movement in the acronym, LGBT, transgendered people’s sexualities vary as much as those of the general population.
Gender Queer
This term is used to acknowledge the flexibility and fluidity of gender, and avoids reference to the gender binary. Gender queer people may identify more strongly with male or female, or they may truly land in the middle of the spectrum. One common pronoun used for gender queer people is “ze,” with the possessive “zir.” A similar term is “pansexual,” meaning someone who is attracted to people regardless of their gender. This term is used to avoid the association of the term “bisexual” with the strict gender binary.
Transsexual
A transsexual person either has had, or has the desire to have, surgery to change his or her physical characteristics to match the gender with which he or she identifies. This may include “top” or “bottom” surgery. Hormone therapy is also a part of the process, which is called “transitioning.” A person in transition who is on hormone therapy but has not had surgery may exhibit changing secondary sex characteristics such as more or less body hair, a different shape, or differing voice. Transsexuals are divided into “pre-operative” and “post-operative.”
Intersex
Intersex is a term used to describe people who are born with physical characteristics that do not all fall into one biological sex. These variances are often “corrected” by doctors in infancy. Intersex includes people with a variety of physical attributes, which may include external and internal characteristics.
