Transgender

Some people feel like a boy or a girl in a special way.

This feeling can be different from what a doctor said at birth. These people are called transgender.

Many people use the word trans. It is a short way to say it. Some people use a new name. Others use new words to describe themselves.

Some people seek help from doctors. They may take medicine or have surgery. Not all people want this help.

People celebrate being themselves. They use a special flag. There are also special days to show support.

Learning about others helps us understand the world.

A transgender person has a gender identity that is different from their sex at birth. Many people use the short word "trans" to describe this. The opposite of transgender is cisgender. This describes people whose identity matches their sex at birth.

Being transgender is not the same as sexual orientation. Transgender people can be straight, gay, or bisexual. Some people feel distress because of this difference. This feeling is called gender dysphoria. Some people seek medical help to feel better. They may use medicine or have surgery. Not all transgender people want these treatments.

People use many different names for these identities. The word "transgender" became a broad term in the 1990s. It can include many groups, like non-binary people.

In some places, transgender people face unfair treatment. This can happen at work or in hospitals. To show support, people hold special events. They use a transgender flag as a symbol of pride.

A transgender person is someone whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. People often use the shorter word "trans" to describe this. The opposite of being transgender is being cisgender. Cisgender describes people whose identity matches the sex they were given when they were born.

Transgender can also be an umbrella term. This means it covers many different identities. These include people who are non-binary or genderqueer. It can also include people who identify as transsexual, bi-gender, or third gender. Being transgender is not the same as sexual orientation. A transgender person might be straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

Some transgender people experience something called gender dysphoria. This is a feeling of distress. It happens because their biological sex and their gender identity do not match. To help with this, some people seek medical treatments. They might use hormone replacement therapy. Others might choose gender-affirming surgery or psychotherapy. Not every transgender person wants these medical treatments. Some people choose not to transition at all. Other people may want these treatments but cannot get them for legal or financial reasons.

People have used different words to describe these identities for a long time. The term "transsexual" was introduced by David Oliver Cauldwell in 1949. Harry Benjamin helped make that word popular in 1966. The word "transgender" was coined by John Oliven in 1965. He used it in his book titled "Sexual Hygiene and Pathology." Later, people like Virginia Prince used variations of the word. In the 1980s, the idea of a "transgender community" began to grow. By the 1990s, transgender became a modern umbrella term for many people.

There are many important facts about the transgender community today. Most experts say less than 1% of the world is transgender. Some studies show the number is between 0.1% and 0.6%. Canada was the first country to collect census data on these people in 2021. In 1985, Richard Ekins started the Trans-Gender Archive at the University of Ulster. In 1992, Leslie Feinberg wrote a famous pamphlet about transgender liberation. These dates and names show how the community has organized over time.

Understanding these terms helps us respect how people live. Many transgender people face transphobia. This means they might face unfair treatment or violence. This can happen at work or when they try to see a doctor. Because of this, many people hold special events to show support. They celebrate with the International Transgender Day of Visibility. They also hold the Transgender Day of Remembrance. The transgender flag is a common symbol used for pride.

A transgender person is someone whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. The term "transgender" is often shortened to "trans" in everyday conversation. In contrast, people whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth are called cisgender. Because the term covers many different experiences, it often functions as an umbrella term. This means it includes a wide variety of identities. These can include binary trans men and trans women. It also encompasses non-binary or genderqueer people.

Being transgender is distinct from a person's sexual orientation. A transgender person may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or asexual. They may also choose not to use a specific label for their orientation. Some transgender people experience gender dysphoria. This is a state of distress caused by the discordance between biological sex and experienced gender. To manage this, some individuals seek medical assistance to transition. This may include hormone replacement therapy, gender-affirming surgery, or psychotherapy. However, not all transgender people desire these specific medical treatments. Some may choose not to transition at all, while others face legal or financial barriers to accessing care.

Terminology regarding these identities has evolved significantly over the last century. The term "transsexual" was introduced in English by David Oliver Cauldwell in 1949. It was later popularized by Harry Benjamin in 1966. This term was modeled after the German concept "Transsexualismus" from 1923. While some individuals still identify with the term transsexual, the American Psychological Association (APA) considers it largely outdated. Many people now prefer the term transgender because it is more inclusive. It carries fewer social stigmas than older medical labels.

The specific word "transgender" was coined by psychiatrist John Oliven in 1965. He used it in his book, "Sexual Hygiene and Pathology." Oliven suggested the term because he believed "transsexualism" was a misleading label. While his original definition differed from modern usage, his work was a significant milestone. Later, figures like Virginia Prince used variations such as "transgenderal" in the late 1960s. Prince used these terms to describe people who lived in the opposite gender without seeking surgery. By the mid-1970s, both "trans-gender" and "trans" were being used as umbrella terms.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the concept of a "transgender community" became more defined. In 1985, Richard Ekins established the Trans-Gender Archive at the University of Ulster. By the early 1990s, the term expanded to include various cross-gender practices. In 1992, Leslie Feinberg published a pamphlet titled "Transgender Liberation: A Movement Whose Time has Come." This work helped unify many forms of gender nonconformity. During this same era, theorist Susan Stryker defined transgender as encompassing identities that move between socially constructed sex and gender boundaries. This included identities like the Native American berdache or the Indian Hijra.

Statistical data on transgender populations can vary due to different definitions. Generally, less than 1% of the global population is transgender. Estimates often range from less than 0.1% to 0.6%. Canada became the first country to collect specific census data on transgender and non-binary populations in 2021. Understanding these numbers is difficult because many people may not disclose their identity. Accurate data helps researchers and governments understand the needs of this community.

Transgender people often face unique social challenges, including transphobia. Transphobia refers to discrimination or violence directed at transgender individuals. This can occur in workplaces, in healthcare settings, or when accessing public spaces. In many jurisdictions, there are no legal protections against this type of discrimination. To build awareness and support, various cultural events are held. These include the International Transgender Day of Visibility and the Transgender Day of Remembrance. The transgender flag serves as a common symbol of pride and identity.