GLOSSARY OF TRANSGENDER TERMS

Terminology take from health care professionals, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV), Harry Benjamin Standards of Care (SOC), and members of the transgendered community. Some "slang" terms may vary in different geographical areas.

Androgen. A generic name for male sex hormones.
Androgynous (Andro). Usually applied to a person who's gender identity is not apparent.
Being Read. A slang term for being identified for the genderof origin.
Bigendered (BG). One who has a significant gender identity that encompasses both genders, masculine and feminine. Transsexuals are normally do not consider themselves to be bigendered. Many bigendered also use the term transgendered.
Brain Sex. The physical `sex' of the brain. Based on the theory/evidence that the human brain is uniquely different for genetic males and genetic females.
Butch. Masculine or macho dress and behavior, regardless of sex or gender identity.
Camp. To exaggerate feminine behaviors, usually for others entertainment. Also, "to camp it up"
Crossdresser (CD). One who, regardless of the motivation, wears the clothes, makeup, etc. assigned by society to the opposite sex. Generally, these persons do not alter their bodies. Clinically called a Transvestite, the term 'Crossdresser' is preferred by many.
Drag Queen (DQ). A slang term generally describing a gay male who dresses "en femme" and goes to wild extremes, whether towards a glamorous or campy end, often for other people's entertainment, appreciation or for its shock value. Due to the nature and purpose of dressing en femme, Drag Queens are not really considered transgendered.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV). The guideline that the American Psychiatric Association publishes which details what is and is not a psychiatric illness. Transsexualism and transvestism are included in the list of psychiatric disorders.
Estrogen. Generic name for one of the main groups of female sex hormones.
Female Impersonator (FI). A male who on specific occasions crossdresses and employs stereotypical feminine dialog, voice and mannerisms for the entertainment of other people. Female impersonators are not necessarily transgendered.
Femme. Feminine or effeminate dress and behavior, regardless of sex or gender identity.
Feminine. The gender role assigned to females (also woman).
Gender. Gender is expressed in terms of masculinity and femininity. It is how people perceive themselves and how they expect others to behave. It is largely culturally determined.
Gender Dysphoria (GD) or Gender Identity Disorder (GID). Refers to the dissatisfaction with one's gender (masculinity or femininity) which is in conflict with one's physical sex. The term is usually referred to those who seek medical and surgical assistance to resolve their difficulty.
Gender Identity. The gender to which one feels they belong.
Gender Neutral. Clothing, behaviors, thoughts, feelings, relationships etc. which are considered appropriate to both genders/sexes.
Gender Role. To interact with society as a member of a specific gender (i.e. as a man or woman) by following arbitrary rules assigned by society that define what clothing, behaviors, thoughts, feelings, relationships, etc. are considered appropriate and inappropriate for members of each sex. Which things are considered masculine, feminine or gender neutral varies according to locations, class, occasion, time in history, and numerous other factors.
Genetic Girl (GG). Female at birth regardless of one's present sex or gender identity.
Genetic Male (GM). Male at birth regardless of one's present sex or gender identity.
Genetic sex. Having to do with the XX (female) or XY (male) chromosome pair, which most heavily influence primary sex characteristics.
Hermaphroditism (Herm) and Intersexuality. Where the physiological sex is ambiguous. The situation may, or may not, be accompanied by various degrees of gender dysphoria. The condition may be due to chromosomal complexes, such as Turner's or Klinefelter's syndromes, congenital errors of metabolism such as androgen insensitivity syndrome and adrenogenital syndrome. There may also be effects from the hormone balance in the foetus or the placenta.
Hormones. Hormone therapy is used by transsexuals to change some secondary sex characteristics, including breast size, weight distribution, and hair growth. Like most aspects of human chemistry, the endocrine system - which controls the body's production and balance of hormones, including sex hormones - is still, at best, only loosely understood. However, one thing is for certain, hormones represent some of the strongest and subtlest chemicals produced by the body and should not be 'messed-with' without extreme care. Always consult a physician before using, or contemplating the use of, sex hormones on your body.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). The introduction of the body to the hormones that affect the sexual characteristics of a transsexual.
In Drab [DRessed As a Boy]. Wearing clothes and an attitude supposedly deemed appropriate to one's gender of origin.
In Drag [DRessed As a Girl]. Wearing clothes considered appropriate to the other sex.
Masculine. The gender role assigned to males (also man).
MTF or M2F. Male-to-Female. Used to specify the direction of a change in sex or gender role.
Neuter. One who has neither a penis nor a vagina.
No-op or Non-op. Transsexual who does not go on HRT or SRS, because of medical or personal reasons, but lives, or is in the process of living as the opposite gender.
Passing. The opposite of "Being Read". A term often used to describe your 'natural' ability to be accepted by most people as your preferred gender.
Post-op. Post operative (after SRS) transsexual, now having the the genitals of the opposite gender and living as the opposite gender.
Pre-op. Pre operative (before SRS) transsexual. Normally implies the individual is planning SRS and is or in the process of living full time as the opposite gender.
Real Life Test (RLT). That period (usually a minimum of 1 year) imposed on the individual by the medical community in which he/she is required to live as full time in the role of the opposite gender before sexual reassignment surgery.
Sexual Orientation. Refers to whom one is affectionally and sexually attracted, usually based on gender and sex characteristics.
SRS or Sexual Reassignment Surgery. A surgical procedure designed to modify one's primary sexual characteristics (genitalia) from those of one sex to those of another (penis to vagina, or vagina to penis).
Shemale. A highly demeaning/derogatory term used to describe transgendered people. Term comes from the pornography industry, characterizing those with fem features and male genitalia. This term is also often used to portray "girls" involved in prostitution and pornography.
Significant Other (SO). Mate/partner, as in husband, wife, boy/girlfriend.
Standards of Care (SOC). The guidelines established by the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association, as the minimum guidelines for a Transsexual Physical and Psychological Transition.
Transgendered (TG). A term used to include transsexuals, transgenderists and transvestites/ Crossdressers.
Transgenderist. Used by those who desires to live full time as the opposite sex, but is not on hormones or has had surgery. Generally, these persons do not alter their body. It is also a term used to represent a person who lives a dual life of both male and female, (bigendered).
Transition. The period of time between when the individual first starts the sex-reassignment procedure and until when the individual is living totally as a member of the opposite sex.
Transsexual (TS). A person who feels a consistent and overwhelming desire to transition and fulfill their lives as members of the opposite gender. These individuals have usually been diagnosed as such, by a psychologist or psychiatrist as having GID. Most transsexuals actively desire and complete Sexual-Reassignment Surgery. Transsexuals live or are in the process of living full time as the opposite gender, whether non, pre or post-op.
Transvestite (TV). The Latin and clinical name for "Crossdresser". A person who dresses in the clothing of the opposite sex for fetishtic reasons and has no desire to transition.

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