Queer Cafe

TED Talk: Short History of Trans People's Long Fight for Equality

Dylan Mulvaney: We're Not Monsters

Trans Villains Who Inspire Us to Be Our Best Worst Selves
Emilia Pérez’s Karla Sofía Gascón Honors Trans Community in Golden Globes Acceptance Speech

Carla Antonelli: Spanish Actress, Politician and Transgender Woman
Annette Benning: My Remarkable Trans Child
Sade to Release New Song Dedicated to Her Trans Son

Transgender isn't a battle.... It's a journey to find yourself

The degree to which individuals feel genuine, authentic, and comfortable within their external appearance and accept their genuine identity has been called transgender congruence. Many transgender people experience gender dysphoria, and some seek medical treatments such as hormone replacement therapy, sex reassignment surgery, or psychotherapy. Not all transgender people desire these treatments, and some cannot undergo them for financial or medical reasons.

Most transgender people face discrimination at and in accessing work, public accommodations, and healthcare. They are not legally protected from discrimination in many places.

Alan Cumming on Trans Facts

Erica Deuso Makes Trans History: Elected as Pennsylvania Mayor

These Cities are Stepping Up to Provide Sanctuary to Trans People

AOC Assures Trans Kids They’re Not to Blame: You are Fine Just the Way You Are

Texas Becomes 20th State with a Transgender Bathroom Law

Barack Obama Shares His Advice for Changing Hearts and Minds on Trans Rights

Which State Has the Most Transgender People?

SPLC: Why Gender Affirming Care is Necessary

Over 100,000 Take to London Streets for Record-Breaking Trans Pride

Puberty Blockers Ban Causing Extensive Harm to Trans Youth, Study Shows

Trump Demonizing Trans People is a Deliberate Distraction

Airyn De Niro Is Ready to Be Seen on Her Own Terms

Trans Journalist Erin Reed Gushes About Co-Parenting with Zooey Zephyr

As Trans People, We're Going To Face More Challenges: Here Are Ways To Get Support

Trans Youth Healthcare Crisis: Australia and USA

Transgender Celebrities

Caitlyn Jenner - Athlete
Chaz Bono - Activist
Janet Mock - Magazine Editor
Kate Bornstein - Author

April Ashley - Model
Kim Petras - Singer, Songwriter
Jazz Jennings - Activist
Danica Roem - Politician

Elle Hearns - Activist
Indya Moore - Model
Wendy Carlos - Musician
Deirdre McKloskey - Economist
Ky Allums - Athlete

Carmen Carrera - Model

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez - Actor
Misty Snow - Politician

Lynn Conway - Engineer

Raquel Willis - Activist

Caroline Paige - Pilot

Teddy Geiger - Musician

Daniela Vega - Actor, Singer

Buck Angel - Performer, Educator

Angela Clayton - Physicist

Mya Byrne - Musician

Christine Jorgensen - Activist

Tracey Norman - Model

Stu Rasmussen - Politician

Cecilia Gentili - Activist (NY)

Laverne Cox - Actor
Sarah McBride - Activist

Elliot Page - Actor

Kimi Cole - Politician

Jeanne Hoff- Psychiatrist

Angelica Ross - Entrepreneur

Alan L Hart - Physicist, Researcher

Angela Ponce - Model
Chelsea Manning - Soldier

Trace Lysette - Actor

Genny Beemyn - Educator

Alex Consani - Model
Marvia Malik - Pakistan TV News Anchor
Jess Herbst - Politician
Nicole Maines - Actor
Laura Jane Grace - Punk Rock Musician

Mercury Stardust - Trans Handy Ma'am
Zooey Zephyr - Montana State Legislator

Jamie Clayton - Model, Actor

Mira Bellwether - Activist, Author, Educator
Renee Richards - Athlete
Stacie Lawton - Politician

Carla Antonelli - Spanish Actress, Politician
Margaret Stumpp - Business Executive

Erika Ervin - Model, Trainer, Actor

Kataluna Enriquez - First Trans Miss USA Contestant
Kylar Brody - Activist

Rachel Crandall-Crocker - Founder, International Trans Day of Visibility

Celebrities Who Changed Their Gender And Are Enjoying It

Groundbreaking and Heartwarming Moments from Trans and Non-Binary People

Gender-Affirming Surgeon Wishes Politicians Would Listen to Trans Patients

Looking for Home: Some Transgender People Find Community in Unexpected Places

How To Support A Loved One If They Come Out As Trans

Celebrity Spotlight: Genderqueer, Non-Binary, Transgender

How Zooey Zephyr, Montana's First Trans Legislator, Became a National Celebrity
Kids Help Line: What is Gender Identity?

Roberta Close: Brazilian Trans Model

First Transgender Mayor Elected in France

Transgender Icons That Have Shaped History

Info: Gender Expression

Television’s Most Trailblazing Transgender Characters

Transgender Celebrities Who Broke Barriers

Erica Deuso - Politician

Stef Sanjati - YouTuber

Rosemay Ketchum - Politician

Jenny Boylan - Author, Educator

Glenn Copeland - Composer

Roberta Close - Model (Brazil)

Monica Roberts - Journalist

Tommy Dorfman - Actor

Lia Thomas - Olympic Swimmer

Yasmin Finney - Actor

Angelica Ross -Broadway Actor

Sophie Labelle - Cartoonist

Dylan Mulvaney - Tik Tok Influencer

Allyson Robinson - Army Officer

Jenna Talackova - Model

Carla Antonelli - Spanish Politician

Rikkie Valerie Kolle - Miss Netherlands

Hunter Shafer - Actor (Euphoria)

Bel Priestley - Actor (Heartstopper)

Hari Nef - Actor (Assassination Nation)

Giselle Byrd - Director (Theatre Co.)

Karla Sofía Gascón - Actor (Emilia Pérez)

Lilly Wachowski - Film Director (Matrix)

Alex Consani - Fashion Model

Munroe Bergdorf - Model

Andrea Jenkins - Politician

Airyn De Niro - Actor, Model, Therapist

Roberta Cowell - Pilot, Motorsport Racer

Harper Steele - Television Writer (SNL)

Rodina Singh - Filmmaker

Nikki Sinclaire - British Politician

Yosha Iglesias - International Chess Master

Leelah Alcorn - Artist

Ethel Cain - Musician

Marie Cau - French Politician

Caroline "Tula" Cossey - Bond girl, and first trans model in Playboy

Maxine Feldman - Singer, Songwriter

Rachel Levine - Physician

Rikkie Valerie Kolle - Model (Miss Netherlands)

Sophie Wilson - Computer Scientist

Leo Sheng - Actor

Yosha Iglesias - French Women’s Chess Champion

Morgan Davies - Actor

Celeste Yim - Television Writer (SNL)

Aaryn Lang - Media Personality, Activist

Candis Cayne - First trans woman with major role on primetime TV

Chevalier d’Éon - French Spy (18th Century)

Jackie Shane - Canadian Soul and R&B Singer

Angela Morley - Music Composer, Conductor

Marina Machete - Miss Portugal

Mary Malone - Actor (Dr. Who)

Margo Fairchild - Actor (Tales of the City)

Zion Moreno - Actor (Gossip Girl)

Bella Bautista - First Trans Miss Georgia USA Contestant

Qatrisha Zairyah - First Trans Woman Miss Universe Singapore Finalist

Vivian Jenna Wilson - Elon Musk’s transgender daughter

Trans Day of Visibility

TED Talk: Why Are Trans People Everywhere?

Airyn De Niro Is Ready to Be Seen on Her Own Terms
Annette Benning: My Remarkable Trans Child

Sade to Release New Song Dedicated to Her Trans Son

Marlon Wayans, Who Has a Trans Son, Trolls Bigots with Pride Post

Heartstopper Star Bel Priestley Hopes to be Role Model for Other Trans People

PBS Video: Transgender Issues

Lisa Ling and EJ Johnson Tackle Gender Identity

Trans Folks Who Are Loud, Proud, and Making the World a Better Place

Video Journey: My 20 Year FTM Timeline

Gender and Gender Identity

Groundbreaking and Heartwarming Moments from Trans and Non-Binary People

List: Famous Transgender People

What Age Do Transgender Kids Know They’re Trans?

Most Inspiring Transgender Celebrities

Television’s Most Trailblazing Transgender Characters

Celebrities Who Changed Their Gender And Are Enjoying It

Video: Soldier Returns Home and Meets Trans Daughter for the First Time
Transgender Celebrities Who Broke Barriers

Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P Johnson: Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries

Vintage Trans

Myra Breckinridge

In 1970, sultry sex symbol Raquel Welsh appeared on The Dick Cavett Show to plug her new film, Myra Breckenridge. Ahead of its time, Myra Breckenridge told the story of a transgender person who undergoes a "sex change operation." This topic was still rather taboo in 1970, yet Raquel Welsh was trying her best to discuss it in a non-biased way when rocker Janis Joplin, who appeared on the same episode of the TV talk show, piped in to complain that she couldn’t follow the storyline of the movie because it “kept changing.” Without missing a beat, Welsh retorted, “That’s because the whole movie is about change.”

Wendy Carlos

Wendy Carlos (born Walter Carlos, 1939) is a transgender American musician and composer best known for her electronic music and film scores. Carlos came to prominence with Switched-On Bach (1968), an album of music by Johann Sebastian Bach performed on a Moog synthesizer, which helped popularize its use in the 1970s and won her three Grammy Awards. She composed the musical scores for A Clockwork Orange (1971), The Shining (1980), and Tron (1982). In 1979, Carlos raised public awareness of transgender issues by disclosing she had been living as a woman since at least 1968, and in 1972 had undergone sex reassignment surgery.

Lili Elbe

Lili Elbe (1882-1931) was born Einar Wegener in Vejle, Denmark and died in Dresden, Germany. Elbe was a Danish painter who was assigned male at birth, experienced what is now called gender dysphoria, and underwent the world's first documented sex reassignment surgery. Elbe lived nearly her whole life as a man. She wrote a book about her life, entitled, Man into Woman (1931). The story of her transition has since been retold in The Danish Girl (2000), a novel by David Ebershoff, and a major feature film by the same name (2015) starring Eddie Redmayne.

Small Pennsylvania Town Elected the State's First-Ever Out Transgender Mayor
Transgender Celebrities Who Broke Barriers
Arienne Childrey Becomes Ohio's First Transgender City Council Member

Study Finds Gender-Affirming Care for Teens is Rare Amid Debate Over Access

Karla Sofía Gascón Gives Emotional Speech as 'Emilia Pérez' Wins Golden Globe
Transgender Americans Lost to Violence in 2024
Gender-Affirming Care: What It Is and Why It's Necessary

Gender-Affirming Surgeon Wishes Politicians Would Listen to Trans Patients
Transgender Woman Makes it to Miss Universe Singapore Final for First Time in History

Empowered Trans Woman
Marlon Wayans, Who Has a Trans Son, Trolls Bigots with Pride Post

‘Emilia Pérez’ Star Karla Sofía Gascón Becomes First Transgender Actress to Win at Cannes
John Lithgow: Playing a Trans Character

The Joy of Being Transgender

Authenticity and Freedom

Embracing one's true identity is a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. For transgender individuals, this path can be particularly transformative, leading to an overwhelming sense of joy and liberation. Being transgender goes beyond societal norms, breaking free from the constraints of assigned gender roles, and opens up a world of possibilities for personal growth and understanding. The joy of being transgender is in the empowerment and fulfillment that comes from living authentically.

The journey of self-discovery for transgender individuals often starts with introspection and reflection on their identity. Recognizing and embracing one's true gender identity can be a moment of revelation and relief. The process of self-discovery allows transgender individuals to shed the weight of societal expectations and external pressures, leading to a profound sense of joy. This newfound self-awareness can lay the foundation for a life filled with genuine happiness.

Being true to oneself is a fundamental aspect of living a joyful life. For transgender individuals, embracing their authentic gender identity represents a courageous act of self-acceptance. The decision to live openly and authentically brings a sense of freedom that can only be comprehended by those who have experienced it. Breaking free from the constraints of assigned gender roles and societal expectations liberates the individual to express themselves fully, leading to a deep sense of joy.

Trans Day of Visibility

Being Transgender at Work

How To Support A Loved One If They Come Out As Trans
Two Teens Charged in Death of Transgender TikTok Personality Brianna Ghey

Learn With Love: Trans Stories
Most Inspiring Transgender Celebrities

Virginia Democrats Kill Six Proposed Anti-Trans Bills
Amber McLaughlin, First Openly Trans Person Executed in US, Dies by Lethal Injection
The Euphoria of Elliot Page

Transgender Man and Former Athlete Opens Up About What It Means to Be ‘A Real Man’

Dylan Mulvaney Has New Passport with Female Designator

Gender Transition Tips to Help Embrace Euphoria and Live Your Best Trans Life
Trans Girl Wins Irish Dance Contest

Television’s Most Trailblazing Transgender Characters

Video: Soldier Returns Home and Meets Trans Daughter for the First Time

Connection and Community

The joy of being transgender extends beyond personal growth and authenticity. It extends to the vibrant and supportive community that exists worldwide. Finding like-minded individuals who share similar experiences can be an empowering and affirming experience. Through support groups, social networks, and pride events, transgender individuals find a sense of belonging and solidarity, fostering friendships and connections that are both meaningful and uplifting.

Transgender individuals often face unique challenges, including discrimination and prejudice. However, the joy of being transgender also arises from the ability to advocate for change and foster understanding. Many transgender individuals find empowerment in sharing their stories, educating others, and contributing to the broader fight for LGBTQ rights. The pursuit of equality and acceptance brings a sense of fulfillment and purpose that amplifies the joy of living as a transgender person.

Redefining Gender

Transgender individuals play a crucial role in reshaping societal perceptions of gender. By challenging the traditional binary view of gender, they promote a more inclusive and diverse understanding of human identity. The joy of being transgender lies in being a catalyst for progress, transforming the cultural landscape and paving the way for a more accepting and compassionate society.

The joy of being transgender arises from the journey of self-discovery, authenticity, and empowerment. Embracing one's true gender identity enables individuals to live a life filled with happiness and fulfillment. Transgender individuals find joy in connecting with their community, advocating for change, and contributing to the redefinition of gender norms. As society continues to evolve, celebrating and supporting the transgender experience is essential in creating a world where everyone can embrace their true selves and find joy in being who they are.

Annette Benning: My Remarkable Trans Child

Looking for Home: Some Transgender People Find Community in Unexpected Places

Elliot Page Absolutely 100% Knew He Was a Boy as a Toddler

Breathtaking Portraits of Trans Men That Truly Inspire
Trans Folks Who Are Loud, Proud, and Making the World a Better Place
Survey: 5 Percent of Young Adults Identify as Trans or Nonbinary

Kimi Cole Aims to Be First Trans Politician to Win Statewide Race

Senators Urge Biden Admin for Guidance on Mental Health of Transgender Youth
Transgender People Report Years of Battles for Health Insurance Coverage

Most Inspiring Transgender Celebrities
Voice Training Is a Medical Necessity for Many Transgender People

Trial Begins in Florida on Trans Care Bans

Esquire Essay: The Euphoria of Elliot Page

Gender-Affirming Care: What It Is and Why It's Necessary

New Study Debunks Myth that Kids Become Trans Through Social Contagion

Scientists say any claims that people are becoming trans just to fit in does not hold up to scrutiny

Over the past four years, opponents of transgender rights and protections have pushed a theory called “rapid onset gender dysphoria,” or ROGD, asserting that more young people are publicly identifiying as trans due to “social contagion.” "Trans people have long known this theory to be completely false, but now, a new study has finally proven it for good."

A study published Wednesday in the journal Pediatrics is the latest to demonstrate how the numbers just don’t line up in ROGD’s favor. Scientists analyzed data from the CDC’s 2017 and 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 16 states, looking particularly at the ratio of trans and gender-diverse youth who were assigned female at birth as opposed to those assigned male. The ROGD theory posits that trans identification is exploding specifically among AFAB youth, who are being preyed upon by “gender ideology” — but this analysis of nearly 200,000 adolescents disproves that hypothesis.

Far from rising, the number of trans and gender diverse youth identified in the survey actually dropped significantly between 2017 and 2019, falling from 2.4% to 1.6%. And while the ratio of assigned-male to assigned-female trans youth did shrink, going from 1.5:1 to 1.2:1 over the two years analyzed, researchers found the numbers actually changed because there were fewer transfeminine youth in the latter survey, not more transmascs.

Trans Boy: I Started Living My Life Instead of Just Surviving

Watching My Son Become My Daughter

Me As A Girl: Transition Timeline

Personal Insight: Nurse Who Cares for Gender Surgery Patients

Odd Things Cis People Say to Trans People

James: Starbucks Trans Ad

Trans Ask: What Do You Transition to if You are Non-Binary?

At Least 33 Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming People Killed in the Past Year, Report Finds
Tennessee Elects its First Transgender Lawmaker

How Zooey Zephyr, Montana's First Trans Legislator, Became a National Celebrity

California Becomes First State to Establish Transgender History Month

Elliot Page: Stunning Esquire Essay About His Identity, His Career and More

Proponents of ROGD, including JK Rowling and Joe Rogan, have also claimed that transness is a “social contagion” because young people are using trans identification as a way to escape homophobic bullying. There’s a lot of misconceptions to unpack in that one sentence, but the Pediatrics study addresses the most vital one: once again, it was found, bullying and suicidal ideation rates were both higher among trans youth than their cis-identified peers, making the ROGD claim nonsensical.

“The hypothesis that transgender and gender diverse youth assigned female at birth identify as transgender due to social contagion does not hold up to scrutiny and should not be used to argue against the provision of gender-affirming medical care for adolescents,” Dr. Alex S. Keuroghlian, one of the study’s senior authors, said in a statement. Lead author Dr. Jack Turban concurred, calling the idea that trans youth transition to escape social stigma “absurd.”

Dylan Mulvaney on Transphobia: My Womanhood is All I Need to Keep Going

Trans and Nonbinary People on Bodies, Desirability, and Revolutionizing Beauty

Tommy Dorfman Comes Out as Trans

Why Tommy Dorfman Did Not Transition Sooner

Trans Educator: Most Commonly Asked Questions I Get About Trans Youth
Lia Thomas: First Transgender Woman to Win NCAA Championship

MJ Rodriguez Becomes 1st Transgender Actor to Win a Golden Globe Award

“The damaging effects of these unfounded hypotheses in further stigmatizing transgender and gender diverse youth cannot be understated,” Turban stressed. “We hope that clinicians, policymakers, journalists, and anyone else who contributes to health policy will review these findings.”

Of course, these findings are not the first to indicate that ROGD is junk science. The theory was first floated in 2018, and problems with the study that justified it were obvious from the start. Dr. Lisa Littman, a board member of the “gender critical” group Genspect, published a survey of less than 300 parents of trans youth recruited from openly anti-trans communities like the UK-based TERF-y site Mumsnet who provided testimonials supporting Littman’s hypothesis. That the paper was immediately retracted or that Littman herself has misrepresented her own data haven’t prevented these “findings” from becoming enmeshed on the right, though, in part because anti-trans dogma isn’t just about gender.

We’d like to believe that this will finally put Littman’s harmful falsehoods to rest, but sadly, truth-telling is not a hallmark of the reactionary right. Hopefully this can at least reassure some trans youth that they’re not monsters or dupes, and that their identities deserve respect — even if some insist on screaming otherwise.

[Source: Samanthan Riedel, Them, August 2022]

Elliot Page Says Testosterone Journey and Finding Trans Community Drastically Changed His Life

Looking for Home: Some Transgender People Find Community in Unexpected Places

Kirstie Allsopp’s Pro-Trans Views are Backed Up by Science and Facts

Police Officer Defends Trans Daughter Against Anti-Trans Legislation

Biden Reverses Trump's Transgender Military Ban

Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P Johnson: Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries

Elliot Page Absolutely 100% Knew He Was a Boy as a Toddler

New Poll: 73 Percent of People Support Trans Kids in Sports

Television’s Most Trailblazing Transgender Characters

How School Systems, Educators and Parents Can Support Transgender Children

DotGay Dictionary: What is Gender Identity?
Jeopardy Game Show Contestant: First Out Transgender Winner

Killing of Transgender Americans at All Time High

Rebekah's Story

Trans Bathroom Debate

Myths and Misconceptions Surround the Issue

A bathroom bill is the common name for legislation or a statute that denies access to public toilets by gender or transgender identity. Bathroom bills affect access to sex-segregated public facilities for an individual based on a determination of their sex as defined in some specific way, such as their sex as assigned at birth, their sex as listed on their birth certificate, or the sex that corresponds to their gender identity. A bathroom bill can either be inclusive or exclusive of transgender individuals, depending on the aforementioned definition of their sex. Single occupant unisex public toilets are one option to avoid this controversy.

Bathroom Legislation

More States Consider Bills Limiting Which Bathroom Trans People Can Use
Bathroom Ban Laws
Facts and Myths: Transgender Bathroom Debate

Proponents of the bills argue that such legislation is necessary to maintain privacy, protect what they claim to be an innate sense of modesty held by most cisgender people, prevent voyeurism, assault, molestation, and rape, and retain psychological comfort. Critics of the bills argue that they do not make public restrooms any safer for cisgender people, and that they make public restrooms less safe for both transgender people and gender non-conforming cisgender people. Additionally, critics claim there have been no cases of a transgender person attacking a cisgender person in a public restroom. The American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics are all opposed to bathroom bills.

Television’s Most Trailblazing Transgender Characters

Gender-Affirming Surgeon Wishes Politicians Would Listen to Trans Patients

Gender-Affirming Care: What It Is and Why It's Necessary

Times When Trans Characters Were Actually Played by Trans Actors

School Officials Prevent Trans Teen from Attending Her Own Graduation

How New Mexico Quietly Became a Refugee State for Trans People
3 Generations of Trans Americans Reflect on What Has (and Has Not) Changed
Biden Issues Transgender Day of Visibility Proclamation
Dylan Mulvaney on The Drew Barrymore Show

Trans Singer Kim Petras Makes Grammy History

Laverne Cox: Trans People Are Exhausted by Anti-Trans Legislation

Esquire Essay: The Euphoria of Elliot Page

First Trans Woman Crowned Winner of Miss Netherlands

Video: I Am a Transgender Woman
Trevor Project: Raising a Trans Child

Trans Athlete Debate

The trans athlete debate isn't about fairness in sports. If it were, there would be some degree of nuance. We'd be looking at the variances in performance gaps between cis men and women across different sports. We'd look at ages where performance gaps widen. We'd hear about how one year of suppressed testosterone in trans women is fine for this sport, but that other sport needs two years because of other factors unique to it. We'd hear anything at all about trans men, people with DSD (differences in sexual development aka intersex), and non-binary athletes.

Instead, we're getting blanket bans for all trans kids going back to Kindergarten. Trans boys on testosterone are ignored, with all the physical advantages they gain from actually having testosterone puberty. There are no carve-outs for trans girls on puberty blockers. This isn't because of ignorance. Politicians are exposed to this information in hearings, but they do not budge. So why this approach?

Me As A Girl: Transition Timeline

South Dakota Becomes First State in 2022 to Pass Anti-Trans Bill
MJ Rodriguez Becomes 1st Transgender Actor to Win a Golden Globe Award

Biden Administration Promises to Protect Trans Kids
We Stand With You: Honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance

Trans Folks Who Are Loud, Proud, and Making the World a Better Place

Roberta Close: Brazilian Trans Model

CBS Sunday Morning: Growing Up Trans

Transgender Celebrities Who Broke Barriers

It's simple. Providing any nuance at all requires first a tacit acceptance of transgender identity. Forcing trans boys on T to compete with cis girls is clearly not about fairness. It's instead about refuting the boys' gender.
This is why they always use loaded, misleading, dogwhistle terms like "biological male." Social conservatives muddy the waters of the debate, disingenuously using competition framing to convince people who would otherwise be reluctant to join them in oppression of trans folk.

Don't fall for it. We can have lively, nuanced debates about fairness in athletic competition. But to get there, we must first accept a fairly straightforward idea: Trans women are women. Trans men are men. Non-binary people exist. That's what this fight is actually about.

[Source: Alysandria Lynne Embergale]

Trump Promises to Ban 'Men' From Women's Sports
Father of Trans Daughter Testifies Against Trans Youth Athlete Ban

Anti-Trans Violence Continues to Surge

Donald Trump Says He Would Ban Trans Girls/Women From Sports if Reelected
Trans Kids: Target of Conservatives' New Culture War

New Poll: 73 Percent of People Support Trans Kids in Sports

Record Number of Anti-Trans Bills Introduced in States This Year

Trans Day of Visibility

Transgender Day of Visibility Explained

82% of Trans Workers Have Experienced Discrimination or Harassment

Trans Day of Visibility: Celebrating Our Existence, Fighting for Our Rights

All About the Transgender Symbol

Transgender Icons That Have Shaped History
Flavia Music Video: Them

Introduction to Transgender People

Rebekah's Story

Transgender by the Numbers

How many transgender people are in the US? The numbers fluctuate by state, but they also double the findings from a decade ago. An estimated 1.4 million people (around 0.6 percent of US adults) identify as transgender, according to a new study.

The fully urban District of Columbia has the highest percentage of adults who identify as transgender, with 14,550 people (around 2.77 percent of the federal district's population).

Several states have 100,000 or more people who identify as transgender, according to the researchers. California, with 218,000. Florida, with 100,300. Texas, with 125,350.

The highest percentages of adults identifying as transgender per state were found in Hawaii, California, Georgia, and New Mexico (all with 0.8 percent) followed by Texas and Florida with 0.7 percent, according to the study.

Five states were found to have the lowest percentages of transgender-identified adults, all with 0.3 percent: North Dakota, Iowa, Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota.

Survey: 5 Percent of Young Adults Identify as Trans or Nonbinary

82% of Trans Workers Have Experienced Discrimination or Harassment

NPR Report: Transgender People in the US

Most Inspiring Transgender Celebrities

Advocate: Trans in Trumpland

Eddie Izzard: I'm Just Trying to Create a Space for Myself

PBS News Hour: Puberty Blockers May Improve Health of Trans Adolescents

Valentina Sampaio: Interview With Trans Fashion Model

Why We Need Trans People in the US Military

Elliot Page Says Testosterone Journey and Finding Trans Community Drastically Changed His Life
All About the Transgender Symbol

Zander Keig: Latinx Trans Social Worker

Mom, I'm Not a Girl: Raising a Transgender Child

Voice Training Is a Medical Necessity for Many Transgender People
Stories of Incredible Trans Youth

HRC: Little Known Historical Trans Facts

Understanding Gender Dysphoria

Complex Journey of Identity and Acceptance

Gender dysphoria is a multifaceted and complex psychological phenomenon experienced by some individuals whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. It is crucial to recognize that gender dysphoria is not a mental disorder; instead, it is a legitimate aspect of human diversity and a valid expression of gender identity. This essay aims to explore the nature of gender dysphoria, its impact on individuals, and the importance of promoting acceptance and understanding.

Gender dysphoria is characterized by a deep and persistent sense of discomfort or incongruence between an individual's experienced gender identity and their assigned sex at birth. This dissonance can manifest as feelings of distress, anxiety, depression, or dissatisfaction with one's physical appearance and societal gender roles. The struggle with gender dysphoria can be profound and pervasive, affecting various aspects of a person's life, including emotional well-being, social interactions, and self-esteem.

Mira Bellwether Fought for a World Where Trans Women Know Love and Pleasure

Transgender Day of Visibility: Celebrating Our Existence and Fighting for Our Rights

Celebrity Spotlight: Genderqueer, Non-Binary, Transgender

Rebekah's Story
Trans Children Across US Are Fighting For Their Lives (Again)

Arkansas Lawmakers Enact Trans Youth Treatment Ban

Being Transgender at Work

Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P Johnson: Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries

Trans Youth Rights: Not About Bathrooms or Women's Sports

Video: Young, Trans, and Looking for Love

Ten Myths About Transgender Love

Causes and Development

The exact causes of gender dysphoria are not fully understood, but research suggests a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors may play a role in its development. For many transgender individuals, gender dysphoria typically emerges during childhood or adolescence when they become increasingly aware of their gender identity. It is essential to emphasize that being transgender is not a choice; rather, it is a fundamental aspect of a person's identity that deserves respect and understanding.

Living with gender dysphoria can be an incredibly challenging journey for those who experience it. The internal conflict between one's perceived gender identity and physical body can lead to feelings of alienation, social isolation, and self-doubt. Many transgender individuals face discrimination, prejudice, and stigma, which can exacerbate the distress associated with their gender dysphoria. As a result, they may be more vulnerable to mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. Addressing these challenges necessitates a supportive environment, access to affirming healthcare, and the understanding of family, friends, and society at large.

Gender-Affirming Care: What It Is and Why It's Necessary

Gender-Affirming Surgeon Wishes Politicians Would Listen to Trans Patients

Everything You Need to Know About These Popular Transgender Celebrities

Simply Explained: What is Transgender?

Passing Tips for Trans Girls

Simple Animation Explanation: Gender Dysphoria

How Gender Doulas Are Stewarding Trans People Through Transition
Surprise: Laverne Cox Meets 25 Year Old Trans Man

Video: Young, Trans, and Looking for Love

ABC News: Transgender Parents

Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P Johnson: Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries

Gender Therapist Advice: How Do I Know if I Am Trans?

Cory Booker: I have a Non-Binary "Niephew"

Trans Children Across US Are Fighting For Their Lives (Again)

Watching My Son Become My Daughter

Being Transgender at Work
HRC Notes: The Bible and Transgender Issues

New Study: Transgender Youth and Suicide Risk

Transgender People Killed in 2019

Treatment and Support

Gender-affirming care and support are critical components of addressing gender dysphoria. Treatment options may include individual or group therapy, hormonal therapy, and, for some individuals, gender-affirming surgeries. The goal of these interventions is to help individuals align their physical appearance with their gender identity and alleviate the distress associated with their gender dysphoria.

To create a more inclusive and compassionate society, it is essential to promote acceptance and understanding of transgender individuals and their experiences. This involves challenging harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about gender diversity and actively supporting policies and practices that protect the rights and dignity of transgender individuals. By cultivating empathy and open dialogue, we can foster an environment where transgender individuals feel seen, respected, and valued for who they are.

Gender dysphoria is a complex and profound aspect of human identity that deserves empathy, compassion, and respect. It is crucial for society to recognize and understand the challenges faced by transgender individuals and to support them in their journey towards self-discovery and self-acceptance. By fostering an inclusive and affirming environment, we can move closer to a world where everyone is free to express their gender identity authentically and without fear of discrimination or judgment.

Trevor Project/Daniel Radcliffe: Discussion with Trans and Nonbinary Youth

Breathtaking Portraits of Trans Men That Truly Inspire

Kim Petras: Transgender Pop Star

Mira Bellwether Fought for a World Where Trans Women Know Love and Pleasure

List: Famous Transgender People

Trans Short Film: Masked

Woman Can’t Contain Her Excitement After Life-Changing Affirming Makeover

Natural Women Only: Trans Woman Barred From Beauty Pageant

Video Journey: My 20 Year FTM Timeline

New York Times: Estimate of US Transgender Population Doubles
Celebrity Spotlight: Genderqueer, Non-Binary, Transgender

CBS Sunday Morning: Growing Up Trans

Our Trans Daughter: Jamie and Rebekah

Expert Tips for Cis People Who Want to Be Better Trans Allies

Kim Petras: Transgender Pop Music Star

How To Support A Loved One If They Come Out As Trans

Gender Dyphoria

"Dysphoria truly feels like a darkness that kind of washes over you."
-Dylan Mulvaney

Gender dysphoria, or gender identity disorder (GID), is the distress, discontent, and discomfort (and possible impairment) a person experiences as a result of the sex and gender they were assigned at birth. In these cases, the assigned sex and gender do not match the person's gender identity, and the person is considered to be transgender.

According to Psychology Today, "gender dysphoria (formerly gender identity disorder) is defined by strong, persistent feelings of identification with the opposite gender and discomfort with one's own assigned sex that results in significant distress or impairment. For instance, a person identified as a boy may feel and act like a girl."

The American Psychiatric Association states that "gender nonconformity is not in itself a mental disorder. The critical element of gender dysphoria (or gender identity disorder) is the presence of clinically significant distress associated with the condition."

The main psychiatric approaches to treatment for persons diagnosed with gender dysphoria are psychotherapy, hormone replacement therapy, or sex reassignment surgery.

Gender-Affirming Care: What It Is and Why It's Necessary

Quick Quiz: Do You Have Gender Dysphoria?

MTF: Insecurity and Dysphoria
Gender-Affirming Hormones: Early Access Linked to Better Mental Health

Video Tutorial: Transgender Basics

Transgender Police Officer

How Gender Doulas Are Stewarding Trans People Through Transition

Am I Trans? Figuring Out Your Gender

Transformation: Male to Female

Dwayne Wade's Trans Daughter Makes Red Carpet Debut

Wikipedia: Gender Identity

Transition Advice: Should I Start HRT?

Trans Boy: I Started Living My Life Instead of Just Surviving
Our Trans Daughter: Jamie and Rebekah

Gender-Affirming Surgeon Wishes Politicians Would Listen to Trans Patients

Sex Reassignment Surgery

The longest and most extensive study on the matter recently found that out of 720 trans teenagers who started hormone therapy half a decade ago, 98% were still continuing their treatment today. Desistance and detransition myths are lies designed to create a moral panic and a transphobic backlash.
-Lancet, Journal of Child & Adolescent Health, Oct 2022

What used to be called a sex change operation, is now called sex reassignment surgery or SRS (also known as gender reassignment surgery, gender confirmation surgery, genital reconstruction surgery, gender-affirming surgery, or sex realignment surgery). It is the surgical procedure (or procedures) by which a transgender person's physical appearance and function of their existing sexual characteristics are altered to resemble that socially associated with their identified gender. It is part of a treatment for gender dysphoria in transgender people. Related genital surgeries may also be performed on intersex people, often in infancy.

Gender-Affirming Care: What It Is and Why It's Necessary

Simple Animation Explanation: Gender Dysphoria

Gender Affirming Surgery Linked to Better Mental Health

Not all transgender individuals seek to change their physical sex. Changing your physical sex as an adult may be the biggest change that a person could experience. It should only be done with people that can only happily function in the opposite gender role.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (representing 94% of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States) prefers to call this procedure Gender Confirmation Surgery or GCS. Another term for SRS is sex reconstruction surgery, and more clinical terms, such as feminizing genitoplasty or penectomy, orchiectomy, and vaginoplasty, are used medically for trans women, with masculinizing genitoplasty, metoidioplasty or phalloplasty often similarly used for trans men.

People who pursue sex reassignment surgery are usually referred to as transsexual.

The best known of these surgeries are those that reshape the genitals (penis or vagina), which are also known as genital reassignment surgery or genital reconstruction surgery (GRS). It is also referred to as bottom surgery. Top surgery, on the other hand, is surgery to the breasts (augmentation or reduction).

Wikipedia: Sex Reassignment Surgery

Transitioning Is Not as Simple as "Before" and "After" Photos Show

Passing Tips for Trans Girls

Our Trans Daughter: Jamie and Rebekah

How To Support A Loved One If They Come Out As Trans

Trans Women Describe 'Gender Euphoria' Of Finally Getting Breast Implants

Quick Quiz: Do You Have Gender Dysphoria?

Personal Insight: Nurse Who Cares for Gender Surgery Patients

Woman Can’t Contain Her Excitement After Life-Changing Affirming Makeover

The procedure has very high rates of success when it is performed by responsible and experienced surgeons. However with current surgical technology male to female individuals usually are more satisfied with their results than female to male. Modern sex reassignment surgery has been performed for over 60 years. There are on average 50 SRS procedures performed each week in North America alone.

The meaning of "sex reassignment surgery" has been clarified by the medical subspecialty organization, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), to include any of a larger number of surgical procedures performed as part of a medical treatment for "gender dysphoria" or "transsexualism". According to WPATH, medically necessary sex reassignment surgeries include "complete hysterectomy, bilateral mastectomy, chest reconstruction or augmentation (including breast prostheses if necessary), genital reconstruction (by various techniques which must be appropriate to each patient), and certain facial plastic reconstruction." In addition, other non-surgical procedures are also considered medically necessary treatments by WPATH, including facial electrolysis.

Girls to Men: Jamie's Transgender Transition Timelapse

Carmen Carrera: Things Trans Women Want You To Know

Voice Training Is a Medical Necessity for Many Transgender People
Dysphoria: What Does it Feel Like?

Trans Tips: Beginning Transition

How Gender Doulas Are Stewarding Trans People Through Transition

Changing the Way We Talk About Confirmation Surgery

Stef Sanjati: I'm Getting Sex Reassignment Surgery

MTF Transgender Journey: After Sex Reassignment Surgery

Video Chat: How Hormones Changed My Body

Jazz Jennings: Battle Wounds From Gender Confirmation Surgery

Carmen Carrera: Personal Thoughts on Being Trans

Transition Advice: Should I Start HRT?

Video Diary: I Got Top Surgery

I Know I'm Trans: Should I Transition? Part 1

Casey Blake Video: Transgender Transition Timeline

Washington Post: Here's How Sex Reassignment Surgery Works

Boobs: Candid Talk About Top Surgery

TS Surgery Guide: Sex Reassignment Surgery

Gender-Affirming Hormones: Early Access Linked to Better Mental Health

Surgical Procedures

--Feminizing Genitoplasty for Trans Women (MTF) refers to surgeries to alter or create female genitals, including the clitoris, labia, and vagina.

--Bottom Surgery for Trans Women involves Penectomy (surgical removal of the penis), Orchiectomy (surgical bilateral removal of the testicles, and Vaginoplasty (surgical construction/reconstruction of the vagina).

--Top Surgery for Trans Women involves Breast Augmentation (surgical construction/reconstruction of chest/breasts through use of implants).

--Masculinizing Genitoplasty for Trans Men (FTM) refers to surgeries to alter or create male genitals, including the penis, testicles, and scrotum.

--Bottom Surgery for Trans Men involves Metoidioplasty (surgical modification/lengthening of the clitoris), Phalloplasty (surgical construction/reconstruction of the penis), and Scrotoplasty (surgical construction/reconstruction of the scrotum).

--Top Surgery for Trans Men involves Mastectomy (surgical bilateral removal of breasts).

Feminizing Genitoplasty Surgery

Masculinizing Genitoplasty Surgery

Penectomy Defined

How Gender Doulas Are Stewarding Trans People Through Transition

Breathtaking Portraits of Trans Men That Truly Inspire

Breast Augmentation/Implants Defined

Sex Reassignment Surgery (Female to Male)

Sex Reassignment Surgery (Male to Female)

Trans Tips: Beginning Transition

Gender-Affirming Surgeon Wishes Politicians Would Listen to Trans Patients

Boobs: Candid Talk About Top Surgery

I Know I'm Trans: Should I Transition? Part 2

Jazz Jennings: Battle Wounds From Gender Confirmation Surgery

Personal Insight: Nurse Who Cares for Gender Surgery Patients

Trans Women Describe 'Gender Euphoria' Of Finally Getting Breast Implants

What is Sex Like for a Trans Woman Post-Op?

Gender Affirming Surgery Linked to Better Mental Health

Voice Training Is a Medical Necessity for Many Transgender People
MTF Transgender Journey: After Sex Reassignment Surgery

Transitioning Is Not as Simple as "Before" and "After" Photos Show

Metoidioplasty Defined

Video Chat: How Hormones Changed My Body

Woman Can’t Contain Her Excitement After Life-Changing Affirming Makeover

MTF Surgery: Vaginoplasty and Dilation

Vaginoplasty Explained

A vaginoplasty is a surgical procedure where a vagina is created. It involves removing the penis, as well as the testicles and scrotum, if an orchiectomy was not previously performed. A vaginoplasty involves rearranging the current tissue in the genital area to create the vaginal canal and external genitalia, the labia. To create the vaginal canal, the surgeon uses a combination of the skin surrounding the existing penis in addition to the scrotal skin. Sometimes, an additional skin graft from the abdomen or thigh is needed to achieve a full vaginal canal.

Dilation Explained

The purpose of dilation is to maintain the depth of the new vagina. Dilation helps prevent contraction of the skin graft inside vagina and also improves the elasticity of vaginal wall in order to comfortably accommodate penetrative sex. Dilation involves inserting a lubricated dilator into the neo-vagina and keeping it in there for a specified amount of time. The size of dilator and the length of dilation time varies depending on the surgeon's protocol and patient's needs. Your surgeon will advise about the proper use and frequency of post-op dilation and it's important to follow their advice above all as it may be specific to your case. Initially, one can expect dilation to take up about 2 hours per day, with the time and frequency decreasing after you reach 18-24 months post-op.

Transgender Care: Vaginoplasty Procedures and Aftercare
MTF Surgery: Imoportance of Dilation Following Vaginoplasty
Johns Hopkins Medicine: Vaginoplasty Questions Answered
Trans Surgery: MTF Frequently Asked Questions
Pelvic Hub: MTF Post-Surgery Care
MTF Personal Guide: Post-Op Dilation Tips

Types or Categories of Transgender People

Many identities fall under the transgender umbrella. The term transgender refers to people whose gender identity is different from their assigned sex. Often, transgender people alter or wish to alter their bodies through hormones, surgery, and other means to make their bodies as congruent as possible with their gender identities. This process of transition through medical intervention is often referred to as sex or gender reassignment, but more recently is also referred to as gender affirmation. People who were assigned female, but identify and live as male and alter or wish to alter their bodies through medical intervention to more closely resemble their gender identity are known as transgender men or transmen (also known as female-to-male or FTM). Conversely, people who were assigned male, but identify and live as female and alter or wish to alter their bodies through medical intervention to more closely resemble their gender identity are known as transgender women or transwomen (also known as male-to-female or MTF). Some individuals who transition from one gender to another prefer to be referred to as a man or a woman, rather than as transgender.

Older terminology usage differentiated between "transgender" and "transsexual." In common usage a transgender person was someone whose gender identity is different from their assigned sex, but chose NOT to undergo full surgery. And a transsexual person was someone whose gender identity is different from their assigned sex, but chose to undergo full surgery. These days the term "transsexual" is generally not used and respectful conversations should not focus on the pre-op and post-op status of the trans person.

Feminism and Equality: What Trans Women Want You to Know

Video: The Science of Being Transgender

Transitioning at Age 70

Trans People: Come Out Come Out Wherever You Are

Info: Sexual Identity

Video Message: I Am Transgender

Rebekah's Story
Male Celebrities That Were Born Female

Trans Sistas of Color Project

Woman Can’t Contain Her Excitement After Life-Changing Affirming Makeover

Glossary of Transgender Terminology

Video: Young, Trans, and Looking for Love

How Gender Doulas Are Stewarding Trans People Through Transition

Gender-Affirming Care: What It Is and Why It's Necessary

Gender-Affirming Hormones: Early Access Linked to Better Mental Health

Zander Keig: Latinx Trans Social Worker

Dysphoria: What Does it Feel Like?

PFLAG: Our Trans Children

Watching My Son Become My Daughter

Simply Explained: What is Transgender?

Voice Training Is a Medical Necessity for Many Transgender People
Meet a Transgender Homecoming Queen

Transgender Icons That Have Shaped History

Gender Affirming Surgery Linked to Better Mental Health

HRC Notes: The Bible and Transgender Issues

Girls to Men: Jamie's Transgender Transition

Timelapse Huff Post: Transgender News

Really Cool Gender Neutral Bathroom Signs

Gender Revolution: Gavin Grimm's Story

All About the Transgender Symbol

Expert Tips for Cis People Who Want to Be Better Trans Allies

Eye Opening Facts About Being Transgender

Transitioning Is Not as Simple as "Before" and "After" Photos Show

Janet Mock: Knowing Her Gender Identity With Certainty

On the Front Lines: Battle for Trans Equality

Quick Quiz: Do You Have Gender Dysphoria?

PBS Video: Transgender Issues

Video: Trans 101 Basics

Counselor Competencies for Working With Transgender Clients
Gender Therapist Advice: How Do I Know if I Am Trans?

State by State: Bringing Trans Men Together

Genderquake (Part 2)

People who cross-dress wear clothing that is traditionally or stereotypically worn by another gender in their culture. They vary in how completely they cross-dress, from one article of clothing to fully cross-dressing. Those who cross-dress are usually comfortable with their assigned sex and do not wish to change it. Cross-dressing is a form of gender expression and is not necessarily tied to erotic activity. Cross-dressing is not indicative of sexual orientation. The degree of societal acceptance for cross-dressing varies for males and females. In some cultures, one gender may be given more latitude than another for wearing clothing associated with a different gender.

The term drag queens generally refers to men who dress as women for the purpose of entertaining others at bars, clubs, or other events. The term drag kings refers to women who dress as men for the purpose of entertaining others at bars, clubs, or other events.

What Not to Say When Your Child Comes Out as Transgender

Trans Bathrooms: Nationwide Debate

Trans People Are Not a Threat to You

John Oliver: Transgender Rights

Trans Short Film: They Them

Erin Anderson: Beautiful MTF Transgender

If You Think Trans Bathroom Access Doesn't Matter...

Info: Gender Queer

Trans Woman Responds to Hate Mail and Violence

What it Means to Be Transgender/Gender Non-Conforming

Dwayne Wade's Trans Daughter Makes Red Carpet Debut

Transgender Q&A

Dysphoria: What Does it Feel Like?

Feminism and Equality: What Trans Women Want You to Know

Affirmations: Parents and Their Trans Kids

Ranker: Transgender Historical Figures

Expert Tips for Cis People Who Want to Be Better Trans Allies

Ranker: Famous Transgender People

Info: Sex and Gender

Transgender History

Genderqueer is a term that some people use who identify their gender as falling outside the binary constructs of “male” and “female.” They may define their gender as falling somewhere on a continuum between male and female, or they may define it as wholly different from these terms. They may also request that pronouns be used to refer to them that are neither masculine nor feminine, such as “zie” instead of “he” or “she,” or “hir” instead of “his” or “her.” Some genderqueer people do not identify as transgender.

Other categories of transgender people include androgynous, multigender, gender nonconforming, third gender, and two-spirit people. Exact definitions of these terms vary from person to person and may change over time, but often include a sense of blending or alternating genders. Some people who use these terms to describe themselves see traditional, binary concepts of gender as restrictive.

[Source: American Psychological Association]

Alan Cumming on Trans Facts

Carmen Carrera: Things Trans Women Want You To Know

AOC Delivers Powerful Statement in Support of Trans Youth: I Stand With You

Trans Journalist Erin Reed Gushes About Co-Parenting with Zooey Zephyr
Name Assigned at Birth

Trans Man Confronts Ben Shapiro

Let’s Count the Lies in Trump’s Latest Fact Sheet on Trans Youth
Trans People Need Allies (Even Imperfect Ones) If We’re Going to Survive this Administration

Transgender Students Deserve to Learn and Thrive in School

TED Talk: Why Are Trans People Everywhere?

Amanda and Shaye
Which State Has the Most Transgender People?

Respectful Language

Misgendering and deadnaming are offensive and hurtful acts for transgender people. Using their preferred pronouns and preferred name show respect.

People who are transgender or gender variant experience some sense of discomfort and dysphoria in having to deal with the mismatch of their external presentation with their internal feelings regarding being male or female. To cope with those feelings… and to affirm their true gender… they may choose a new name along with a new pronoun that more accurately expresses their identity.

A male who identifies as female, for example, may, in addition to wearing women’s clothing and make-up, choose a female-sounding name and prefer to be addressed as she and her.

For people who are transgender or gender variant, the simple act by another person of using a preferred pronoun or preferred name can make a big difference. It is a profound display of respect.

“Deadnaming” occurs when someone intentionally or accidentally refers to a transgender person by the name they used before they transitioned. “Misgendering” occurs when someone intentionally or accidentally refers to a transgender person by the pronoun they used before they transitioned.

By the way, none of this is related to a transgender person’s surgical status. And it is inappropriate to talk about a transgender person’s pre-operative or post-operative situation or how far they are in their transition. A person is still considered to be transgender whether they have undergone surgery or not.

How the Mothers of Transgender Children Are Changing the World

TED Talk: Short History of Trans People's Long Fight for Equality

First Transgender Mayor Elected in France

Trans Women Describe 'Gender Euphoria' Of Finally Getting Breast Implants

Simple Animation Explanation: Gender Dysphoria

Transgender Law Center

Mom, I'm Not a Girl: Raising a Transgender Child

Video: Trans 101

What Not to Say When Your Child Comes Out as Transgender

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is transgender hormone therapy for transgender people which introduces hormones associated with the gender that the patient identifies with, notably testosterone for transgender men and estrogen for transgender women. Some intersex people may also receive HRT. Cross-sex hormone treatment for transgender individuals is divided into two main types: feminizing hormone therapy and masculinizing hormone therapy. Feminizing hormone therapy in sex reassignment therapy for transgender women. Masculinizing hormone therapy in sex reassignment therapy for transgender men.

HRT can be administered in pill form or as an injection to boost or replace the body's natural hormones. HRT is also used by older cisgender women to relieve the symptoms of monopause. Older cisgender men may also benefit from HRT.

What Happens When Transgender People Start Hormone Therapy?

Video: How HRT Changes a Transwoman's Body

Gender-Affirming Hormones: Early Access Linked to Better Mental Health

Transition Advice: Should I Start HRT?

Guide to Hormone Therapy for Trans People

Video Chat: How Hormones Changed My Body

Gender-Affirming Care: What It Is and Why It's Necessary

Video Talk: Can You Define Your Gender Identity?

PBS News Hour: Puberty Blockers May Improve Health of Trans Adolescents

Being a Trans Kid is Hard

Gift Guide for Parents With Trans Kids

Transgender Expert Offers Tips to Parents

Video Story: My Friend is Transgender

On the Front Lines: Battle for Trans Equality

Huff Post: Broader Acceptance of Gender Non-Conformity

Transgender Terminology

Transgender - Often used as an umbrella term and refers to those who transgress societal gender norms. Generally, people who identify as transgender exhibit some behavior or traits that fall outside of traditional gender expectations. Specifically, however, the term refers to a person whose gender identity differs from what is culturally associated with their biological sex at birth.

Transsexual - An old term referring to a transgender person who undergoes full sex reassignment surgery. In fact only some, but not all, transgender people wish to change their bodies to be congruent with their gender identity through sex reassignment surgery. This term "transsexual" is considered outdated.

Gender Dysphoria - Discomfort with an assigned sex and/or gender and/or the gender norms and roles associated with either.

Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) – Term used by some medical professionals to refer to a group of surgical options that alter a person’s biological sex. Also called Gender Confirmation Surgery (GCS). In most cases, one or multiple surgeries are required to achieve legal recognition of gender variance.

Slideshow: Transgender Resources

Trans and Gender Queer Over 50

On the Front Lines: Battle for Trans Equality

Meet a Transgender Homecoming Queen

Counselor Competencies for Working With Transgender Clients

Glee Video: If I Were a Boy

Harris Poll: Growing Acceptance of Transgender Issues

Maya Henry: Things Not to Say to Trans Girls

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) - Taking hormones to enable one’s outward appearance to conform more closely to one’s inner gender identity.

MTF – Abbreviation for male-to-female transgender person or transwoman.

FTM – Abbreviation for female-to-male transgender person or transman.

Top Surgery – Term refers to surgery for the construction of a male-type chest or breast augmentation for a female-type chest.

Bottom Surgery - Term refers to Sex Reassignment Surgery involving genital reconstruction.

Boymoder - Transwoman trying to present herself as male. In boy mode. This "mode switching" is a temporary or situational act typically done while in transition due to society pressure, or for safety reasons, or when in the presence of people who are not accepting.

Girlmoder - Transman trying to present himself as female. In girl mode. This "mode switching" is a temporary or situational act typically done while in transition due to society pressure, or for safety reasons, or when in the presence of people who are not accepting.

Cisgender - Person whose gender identity and biological sex (assigned at birth) align. The opposite of transgender.

HRC Notes: The Bible and Transgender Issues

Transgender Police Officer

Expert Tips for Cis People Who Want to Be Better Trans Allies

Me As A Girl: Transition Timeline

Documentary: Transgender Kids

HRC Notes: Little Known Historical Trans Facts

Gift Guide for Parents With Trans Kids

Genderquake (Part 2)

State by State: Bringing Trans Men Together

New Study: Transgender Youth and Suicide Risk

Queer 101: Ask a Trans Woman

Mom, I'm Not a Girl: Raising a Transgender Child

Odd Things Cis People Say to Trans People

National Transgender Discrimination Survey

Gender Identity: A New Challenge for Schools

Relevant Terminology

Androgyny - Mixing of masculine and feminine characteristics. Something that is neither masculine nor feminine.

Drag - Act of dressing in gendered clothing as part of a performance. Drag may be performed as a political comment on gender, as parody, or simply as entertainment. Drag performance does not indicate sexuality, gender identity, or sex identity. Old term: Transvestism.

Intersex - Naturally occurring condition that affects the reproductive and sexual system. Intersex people are born with sex chromosomes, external genitalia, or internal reproductive systems that are not considered "standard" for either male or female. The existence of intersex shows that there are not just two sexes and that our ways of thinking about sex (trying to force everyone to fit into either male box or female) is socially constructed.

Gender Bender/Gender Queer - Person who redefines or plays with gender, or who refuses gender altogether. People who bend/break the rules of gender and blur the boundaries.

Cross Dresser - Person who enjoys dressing in clothes typically associated with the other gender. Preferred over the term “transvestite.” Cross dressers may be of any sexual orientation.

Two-Spirited - Term for third-gender people that are among many Native American and Canadian First Nations tribes. It usually implies a masculine spirit and a feminine spirit living in the same body. It is also used by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex Native Americans to describe themselves. Two-Spirited people have distinct gender and social roles in their tribes. Some are counselors while others are medicine persons or spiritual functionaries. They typically possess skills in story telling, theater, magic, hypnotism, healing, herbal medicine, ventriloquism, singing, music and dance.

Genderbread Person

Kovu Kingsrod: I'm a Soft Boy and That's Okay

How the Mothers of Transgender Children Are Changing the World

Gender and Gender Identity

New Study: Transgender Youth and Suicide Risk

Meet a Transgender Homecoming Queen

Video Story: 7 Year Old Kai on Growing Up Trans

Gender-Affirming Hormones: Early Access Linked to Better Mental Health

Puberty Blockers

Puberty blockers (puberty inhibitors, puberty suppressors, hormone suppressors) are a group of medications used to inhibit puberty. They were originally used to treat children with precocious puberty or other such early onset of puberty. Puberty blockers are commonly used for the transgender community. In this community, puberty blockers are used to provide transgender youth with time to further explore their identity, while halting the development of their predisposed sex characteristics caused by the onset of puberty.

The medication that is used in order to stop puberty comes in two forms: injections or an implant.

Puberty blockers prevent the development of biological secondary sex characteristics. They slow the growth of sexual organs and production of hormones. Other effects include the suppression of male features of facial hair, deep voices, and Adam's apples for children and adolescents and the halting of female features of breast development and menstruation.

Transgender youth are a specific target population of puberty blockers. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists (leuprorelin, histrelin) to halt puberty, can be used for transgender youth before the development of natal secondary sex characteristics.

Puberty blockers serve the transgender community by giving future trans men and trans women more time to solidify their gender identity, without developing secondary sex characteristics. If a child later decides not to transition to another gender, the effects of puberty blockers can be reversed by stopping the medication. Another function of puberty blockers is that it gives the future transgender individual a smoother transition into their desired gender identity as an adult.

Wikipedia: Puberty Blockers

Gender-Affirming Care: What It Is and Why It's Necessary

Health Topic: Blocking Puberty in Transgender Youth

PBS News Hour: Puberty Blockers May Improve Health of Trans Adolescents

Video: Struggles of Transgender Youth

AMA: Suppression of Puberty in transgender Children

Puberty Blockers and Hormones for Trans Kids

Video: Trans Youth Share Struggles and Hopes

Coy Mathis: One Child's Fight to Change Gender
Being a Trans Kid is Hard

What Age Do Transgender Kids Know They’re Trans?

Gender Therapist Advice: Can I Trust the Way I Feel?

Video Story: 7 Year Old Kai on Growing Up Trans

NBC Today Show: Discussion with Transgender Teens

Transgender Expert Offers Tips to Parents

Eye Opening Facts About Being Transgender

Documentary: Transgender Kids

Gender-Affirming Hormones: Early Access Linked to Better Mental Health

Deadnaming

"Deadnaming" is the act of referring to a transgender person's birth name instead of their chosen name. It is the practice of uttering or publishing the name that a transgender person used prior to transition.

Most of the time, an individual will pick a new name as soon as they begin to identify as the gender they know they are on the inside. This new name, in a way, marks the "death" of their old identity and the person they once were. With a new name, they signify a new, more truthful, and more fully realized phase of their life.

Finding Your Name
Deadnaming a Trans Person is Psychological Violence

Why is Deadnaming Harmful?

James: Starbucks Trans Ad

Carmen Carrera: Things Trans Women Want You To Know

Don’t Deadname Caitlyn Jenner

Deadnaming: Referring to Myself in Past Tense

Words Matter: Deadnaming and Suicide

Simple Animation Explanation: Using They/Them Pronouns

We Need to Stop Deadnaming Trans People

Video: Misgendering is an Act of Violence

Indya Moore: Elle Magazine's First Trans Cover Model

For many people who are transgender, undergoing a name change can be an affirming step in the transition process. It can help a transgender person and the people in their lives begin to see them as the gender they know themselves to be. It can also alleviate discomfort that may be associated with one’s old (former, previous) name.

Transgender and genderqueer people really want other people to forget their previous name. Unfortunately, many people may struggle to adhere to a transgender person’s new, affirmed name. In some situations, other people may refuse to acknowledge the change altogether. And in situations that involve official identification, having a legal name that doesn’t align with one’s affirmed name can cause people serving in official capacities (administrators, employers, government officials, legal entities) to inadvertently refer to a trans person by the wrong name or gender.

Uninformed cisgender (straight) people might comment about a trans person’s “real” name, as if the new name a trans person uses is somehow less real than the one given to them at birth, when they were assigned male or female. It is seen as a verbally violent offense that attempts to invalidate a person’s authentic gender identity.

Deadnaming occurs when someone, intentionally or accidentally, refers to a transgender person by the name they used before they transitioned. You may also hear it described as referring to someone by their “birth name” or their “given name.”

Allison Faye: Transition Timeline Story

Our Trans Daughter: Jamie and Rebekah

Happily Trans: Short Documentary

Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P Johnson: Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries

Trans People: Come Out Come Out Wherever You Are

Video: Soldier Returns Home and Meets Trans Daughter for the First Time

Gender Terminology

Gender - Socially constructed collection of traits, behaviors, and meanings that we use as a standard for how biological differences should be represented.

Gender Identity - Person’s fundamental sense of their own gender. This can include identifying as a combination of genders or refusing to label oneself with a gender. Gender identity is often confused with or considered tied to sexual orientation, but this is inaccurate. Gender identity and sexual orientation are exclusive off each other.

Gender Normative (Gender Conformity, Gender Straight) - When your gender identity and sex “match” (fit social norms). For example, a male who identifies and behaves in traditionally masculine ways and identifies as a man. A term used to describe someone whose gender presentation, whether by nature or by choice, aligns with society’s gender-based expectations.

Cisgender - Term referring to a person who is not transgender. It refers to a person whose gender identity and biological sex assigned at birth are in alignment.

Cisnormativity - Assumption that all, or almost all, individuals are cisgender. Although transgender-identified people comprise a fairly small percentage of the human population, many trans people and allies consider it to be offensive to presume that everyone is cisgender unless otherwise specified.

Gender Expression - Outward behaviors and appearances (hair, clothing, voice, body language) by which people manifest their gender identity or gender choices.

Gender Roles - Socially constructed and culturally specific norms of behavior and appearance expectations imposed based on biological sex (femininity and masculinity).

Sex Identity - The sex that a person sees themselves as. This can include refusing to label oneself.

CBS Sunday Morning: Growing Up Trans
Janet Mock: Knowing Her Gender Identity With Certainty

Matt Nathanson: The Girl in the Kinks Shirt
Gender Revolution: Gavin Grimm's Story

Natural Women Only: Trans Woman Barred From Beauty Pageant

Five Things Not to Say to a Trans Person

Dysphoria: What Does it Feel Like?

Transgender Icons That Have Shaped History

Grieving a Child Who is Still Alive

Really Cool Gender Neutral Bathroom Signs

Trans Woman Responds to Hate Mail and Violence

All About the Transgender Symbol

Most Inspiring Transgender Celebrities

Personal Insight: Nurse Who Cares for Gender Surgery Patients

Psych Central: Gender Dysphoria Symptoms

Video Lesson: Anti-Trans Slurs

Video Report: America's Transgender Children

My Trans Life: I'm That Scary Transgender Person

Kentucky Mom Honors Transgender Son

Video Talk: Trans Questions and Answers

Meet a Transgender Homecoming Queen

Girls to Men: Jamie's Transgender Transition Timelapse

Kids Help Line: What is Gender Identity?

Binding and Tucking

Binding, tucking, packing, and padding are some do-it-yourself (or non-surgical) options used by transgender people for altering gender expression.

Binding - Wearing tight clothing, bandages, wrapping, or compression garments to flatten out your chest.

Tucking - Using "gaffs" to hide the penis and testicles so they are not visible in tight clothing.

Packing - Using a non-flesh, artificial, or prosthetic penis (sometimes referred to as a "packer").

Padding - Using undergarments, breast forms, and foam to create the appearance of larger breasts, hips, and buttocks.

Important note about binding: Binding with the nipples pointing down can seriously damage the tissue and skin and negatively affect the result of a future top surgery. Pressing the breasts toward you is a much safer way of binding

Trans Care: Safe Binding and Tucking Tips

GC2B Transitional Apparel: Binders

Truth About Chest Binding

Target Collaborates with TomboyX to Sell Binders

Special Garments to Aid Binding and Tucking

Origami Customs: Gaffs

Trans Health: Binding and Tucking Information

Simple Animation Explanation: Binders

Gaffs 101: Tucking Safely and Comfortably

Identity Development

Based on D’Augelli’s Model of LGB Identity Development (1994), the processes do not necessarily occur linearly nor does every transgender person experience each process. It should also be noted that the term “transgender” covers a wide variety of identities. Individuals may experience the stages in different ways or to different degrees depending on how they specifically identify and the particular restrictions or prejudices that society places on that identity.

Exiting a Traditional Gender Identity - Involves recognition that one is gender variant, attaching a label to this identity, and affirming oneself as gender variant through coming out to others.

Developing a Personal Transgender Identity - Entails achieving the stability that comes from knowing oneself in relation to other transgender people and challenging internalized transphobia.

Developing a Transgender Social Identity - Focuses on creating a support network of people who know and accept that one is gender variant.

Becoming a Transgender Offspring - Consists of coming out as transgender to family members and reevaluating relationships that may be disrupted by the disclosure.

Developing a Transgender Intimacy Status - Involves the creation of intimate physical and emotional relationships.

Entering a Transgender Community - Involves making a commitment to political and social action and understanding identity through challenging transphobia.

GLAAD: Transgender Terminology

Roberta Close: Brazilian Trans Model

Carmen Carrera: Things Trans Women Want You To Know

Video List: Most Famous Transgender People Worldwide

Info: Gender Expression

Maya Henry: Things Not to Say to Trans Girls

Transgender Universe

Everything You Need to Know About These Popular Transgender Celebrities

Counselor Competencies for Working With Transgender Clients

Gift Guide for Parents With Trans Kids

Harris Poll: Growing Acceptance of Transgender Issues

Shattering Myths: Trans Women's Bodily Concerns

Info: Gender Queer

Kovu Kingsrod: I'm a Soft Boy and That's Okay

Helpful Trans Tips

Outing - Remember that revealing the transgender status of any transgender person without his or her expressed permission has the same potential for harm as outing a gay man, lesbian, or bisexual man or woman. Outing is an invasion of privacy.

Appearance - Do not assume that someone who appears to be cross-dressed is a "transvestite." That person may or may not be living full-time in their presenting gender, or they may intend to do so in the future. Instead of the stigmatizing "transvestite", use the terms male cross-dresser or female cross-dresser if it's clear that they are not living full-time nor intend to do so.

Living Status - If a transgender person is living full-time in a gender not associated with their birth sex, that person should be referred to at all times with terms appropriate to their presenting gender, regardless of their surgical status or body state.

--Transgender Woman (Trans Woman) is an appropriate term for Male-To-Female (MTF) persons.
--Transgender Man (Trans Man) is an appropriate term for Female-to-Male (FTM) persons.
--Transgender Person (Trans Person) is an appropriate term for someone of either above types.
--Transgender People (Trans People) is an appropriate term for mixed groups.

Trans Lifeline

Transgender Suicide Hotline

Genderbread Person

Gender and Gender Identity

Genderquake (Part 2)

National Transgender Discrimination Survey

Trans Terms You Should Know

Video: Trans 101

Am I Trans? Figuring Out Your Gender

Surgical Status - Almost all transsexuals (pre-operative, post-operative, non-operative) and many transgender people are extremely sensitive about their surgical status and/or their body's physical state. Questions about this should be avoided or, if medically necessary, asked very sensitively. Moreover, this information should be considered confidential and should not be shared with others unless it is medically necessary. Regardless of their surgical status, the appropriate term for a Male-To-Female Transgender person is Transgender Woman, and for a Female-to-Male Transgender person, Transgender Man.

Quotation Marks - Avoid aspersion by not using quotation marks (as if to suggest "sort of" or "not quite" or "not actually"). Never put pronouns or possessive adjectives of transgender persons in quotes. Never put their sexual orientations or genitalia in quotes.

Pronouns and Possessive Adjectives - It is extremely offensive to refer to transgender persons using pronouns and possessive adjectives that refer to their birth sex. Use pronouns and adjectives appropriate to the transgender person gender expression. If you are uncertain, ask what they prefer. Some people prefer the new pronoun ze (pronounced “zee”) in lieu of she/he, and the new possessive adjective hir (pronounced “here”) in lieu of his/her.

Self-Identification - Not all transgender people use the same terminology to describe themselves. When in doubt, just ask an individual transgender person how they wish to be identified. If you’re not sure how to address someone, just ask. Or simply use their first name or last name. It's sometimes customary for patients or clients in clinical situations to be addressed by their last name when it’s time to see their providers.

Transgender Universe

WPATH: World Professional Association for Transgender Health

Ava Rose: How Do You Know If You're Trans?

HRC: Epidemic of Violence Against Trans People

CNN: Killings of Trans People in US Increasing

Wikipedia: Gender Identity

Glee Video: If I Were a Boy

Glossary of Transgender Terminology

Trans Woman Responds to Hate Mail and Violence

Love Letter to My Granddaughter (Who Used to Be My Grandson)

Murders of Trans People in US Could Hit Record High in 2020

Zander Keig: Latinx Trans Social Worker

Trans Ask: What Do You Transition to if You are Non-Binary?

Info: Sex and Gender

Scarleteen: Sex Ed For The Real World

Trans and Gender Queer Over 50

Transgender Needs

Transgender persons may identify as heterosexual, so they may not be dealing with issues of sexuality. However, depending on how they sexually identify, transgender people may face discrimination from both heterosexuals and LGB people.

They may experience more verbal and physical attacks than most LGB people if they cross-dress or otherwise “look gender variant.”

Affirmations: Parents and Their Trans Kids

They are generally less accepted in society than LGB people, in large part due to ignorance. There is little understanding of transgender lives. They are not visible in popular culture beyond stereotypes and almost no research has been done on their experiences.

They sometimes experience a lack of acceptance and support from the LGB community.

As a result of the lack of acceptance and support in the dominant culture and in the LGB community, they often lack a strong community and positive role models or images. Consequently, transpeople, especially trans youth, may feel isolated and marginalized.

Transpeople may want to remain closeted because of the legitimate fear of how they will be treated by their professors, employers, co-workers, friends, and others in their field.

Transpeople often have a hard time finding medical help that is knowledgeable and understanding concerning transgender issues.

If transitioning, they will need to change their identification as well as other records and documents. Keep in mind that different states and institutions have different rules about when and if these changes are possible.

They are especially vulnerable to attack, harassment, and/or embarrassment when trying to use the gender appropriate bathroom.

Transpeople often have others refer to them as a gender different than the one with which they wish to identify or insist on calling them by their given name even though they have changed it.

[Source: Beemyn, B., 2003, Serving the needs of transgender college students. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Issues in Education]

Huff Post: Broader Acceptance of Gender Non-Conformity

Gender Therapist Advice: Can I Trust the Way I Feel?

Slideshow: Transgender Resources

Dwayne Wade's Trans Daughter Makes Red Carpet Debut

HRC: Parents for Transgender Equality

Info: Gender Queer

Statistics on Transgender Mental Health

Carmen Carrera: Things Trans Women Want You To Know

Video Journey: My 20 Year FTM Timeline

PBS Video: Transgender Issues

Hardships for Transgender Youth

Transgender youth often face enormous hardships when they acknowledge and express their gender identity. They may be thrown out of the house when their family discovers that they are transgender, often forcing them to live on the streets.

They typically face harassment and abuse in school to such an extent that they quit, which makes it hard for them to get decent-paying jobs (for example, a survey of more than 250 transgender people in Washington, DC found that forty percent had not finished high school and another 40 percent were unemployed).

Even if they are able to get an education, they have difficulty finding and keeping almost any kind of job because of discrimination, forcing some to become sex workers.

If they live on the streets or are a sex worker, they are at a greater risk for abusing drugs, becoming infected with HIV, and being subjected to anti-transgender violence.

Many lack access to health care, including proper counseling and medical supervision for those who are in the process of transitioning. And when they do get medical treatment, they frequently face discrimination and hostility from health-care workers. Consequently, some transsexuals decide to treat themselves by buying underground hormones, which can contain dangerous if not deadly chemicals.

Because gender reassignment surgery can cost more than $100,000 and is not covered by most health insurance policies, even most middle-class transsexuals cannot afford the procedures.

The ultimate result is often high rates of depression, drug and alcohol abuse, and thoughts of suicide among transgender people (thirty-five percent of the respondents to the DC survey mentioned above reported that they had seriously considered suicide).

Many transgender people who can “pass” will choose to remain closeted, so trans youth often do not have visible role models and mentors.

[Source: Beemyn, B., 2004, Legal and Political Rights of Transgender People, Ohio State University, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Student Services Web]