Medical treatments or surgery may be involved, but not always.
It also describes the process of gender affirmation and some of the serious challenges faced by transgender people today.
And, to many, that remainsthedefinition of “transgender,” described on the male-female binary.
Oleg Lyfar / Getty Images
But not everyone sees gender in the same way.
Examples include:
Gender Identity vs.
Sexual Orientation
Gender and sex are not the same thing, and neither are gender identity and sexual orientation.
Sexual orientation is a person’s identity in relation to the gender or genders they are sexually attracted to.
Others still may not recognize this until later in life.
This uneasiness is referred to asgender dysphoria.
Gender dysphoria is not a psychological illness.
It simply describes distress triggered by the misalignment of a person’s assigned gender and gender identity.
Despite what many people think, a person does not have to undergo medical treatments to be transgender.
Social and/or legal affirmation may be far more important to some people.
Mistakes can occur, but to intentionally or repeatedly use the wrong pronouns is a disrespectful act known asmisgendering.
This is true even if you’re a family member or have grown up with that person.
Others still are considered offensive and should never be used.
Transgender individuals also reported many experiences of discrimination in health care.
Many individuals were denied access to gender-affirming medical and surgical care.
Others report avoiding care because they lacked financial or other resources.
Instead, it reflects the minority stress related to being part of a society that may not be accepting.
Therefore, it is important to make all healthcare facilities safe and affirming for people of diverse genders.
National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
National Center for Transgender Equality.
Department of Health and Human Services Departmental Appeals Board, Appellate Division.NCD 140.3, Transsexual Surgery, Docket No.
A-13-87, Decision No.
2018;142(4):e20182162.
doi:10.1542/peds.2018-2162
Stotzer RL.Data sources hinder our understanding of transgender murders.Am J Public Health.
2017;107(9):1362-1363.
