Trans Terms
These are the definitions as I understand/accept them. Like most terms that describe
an individual's traits there are some people that have differing opinions.
SEX
A person's physical sex based upon their genetic sex. XX for female. XY for male. There are also other combinations, XXX, XXY, etc. Persons with these chromosome structures usually appear female since being female is genetically dominant. Caroline "Tula" Cossy is an XXY. It has been rumored that Jamie Lee Curtis is also an XXY. Since checking a person's genetic sex requires special equipment, a person's sex organs are used to classify sex. There are other sexes neuter, and intersexed (hermaphrodite) but these are not generally discussed. Sex is based on biology. Male, Female, Boy and Girl are sex terms.
GENDER
These are the roles based in society. A person's gender can be masculine, feminine, or androgynous. The terms Man, Woman, and androgyne refer to gender.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Heterosexual: Sexually attracted to the opposite sex.
Homosexual: Sexually attracted to the same sex.
Bi-sexual: Sexually attracted to both males and females.
SEXUAL/GENDER IDENTITY
The Sex/Gender combination that a person uses to identify him/herself. Normally Female=Feminine and Male=Masculine. This term is often listed as sexual identity even though it really is gender identity since genetic sex can't be changed. The term is based on the observable sex of an individual.
TURN-ON
Something that sexually excites a person. It may be physical or mental in nature.
TRANSVESTITE (TV)
Literally "Cross Dresser." However, due to Rocky Horror and other public use of this term, many people that would fall into this category find it derogatory. I don't like to use it either because of the stereotype that comes with it.
CROSS DRESSER or CROSSDRESSER (CD)
A person that enjoys wearing the clothes of the opposite sex. Common use though is for a man who enjoys dressing in women's clothes since the reverse is accepted. The reason can be for sexual or emotional reasons. It has been estimated that 1 out of every 48 U.S. males is a cross dresser. These individuals can be any sexual orientation, although most (about 90%) of all cross dressers are heterosexual. The main difference between cross dressers and transsexuals is that cross dressers are satisfied (happy) being male.
FEMMIPHILE (FP)
"Lover of the feminine." A term used to describe cross dressers by those that find the terms cross dresser and transvestite offensive.
FANTASIST
A cross dresser that doesn't cross-dress. An individual who fanaticizes about cross-dressing but doesn't actually do it.
DRAG QUEEN (DQ)
A homosexual male that dresses in women's clothing for the purpose of attracting a mate or to stand out in the crowd.
FEMALE IMPERSONATOR
A male who dresses as a woman for entertainment purposes. These individuals can be any sexual orientation but are usually gay males.
FETISHIST
A male that gets sexual pleasure from a non-sexual object. Usually, this a single article of clothing, such as shoes, but can consist of more than one article.
SHE-MALE
A half man-half woman. A male with breasts and a penis, in many cases, gay or bi-sexual that wants to stay that way. This definition usually DOES NOT include a Male-to-Female transsexual in transition because the state is transitory and not desired to be permanent.
TRANSSEXUAL (TS)
A person who feels that his or her mind is the opposite sex (gender) from their body at birth. These people usually have operations to change their body to match how they feel mentally. This is how I accept the definition, however, others believe that a person is not a transsexual until they start making the physical changes on the path to surgery.
NON-OP TRANSSEXUAL
A transsexual, as defined above, that for social, financial, or religious reasons doesn't/can't have surgery.
M-F TRANSSEXUAL (M-F)
A male that wishes to change his sex to female.
F-M TRANSSEXUAL (F-M)
A female that wishes to change her sex to male.
TRANSGENDERED (TG)
An individual who lives everyday as the opposite sex, but has decided not to have surgery.
GENDER DYSPHORIC
An individual who is uncomfortable with his/her sex organs. One of the conditions that is used to justify/qualify for a sex change operation.
T
A generic term used to describe Transgendered, Transvestites, Transsexuals & other gender "confused" persons.
PC
Politically Correct.
SIGNIFICANT OTHER (SO)
A PC term used by T's to describe their partner. Usually, offensive to the partner. Used to provide a means for the T to not divulge the sex of their partner and thereby avoid discussing/divulging their sexual orientation.
GG
Genetic Girl or Genuine Girl. Used to describe a genetic female as opposed to a transsexual one. This term is used by T's to identify "the real thing" and by genetic women to display superiority to Transsexual women.
RG
Real Girl. Same as above.
GENDER COMMUNITY or T-COMMUNITY
The "sub-culture" comprised of T's, their supporters (friends and family) and professionals that serve their needs (doctors, therapists, educators, etc.)
HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT)
Taking hormones for the opposite sex to change one's physical characteristics toward that sex.
REAL LIFE TEST (RLT)
A period of time where a sex change candidate lives as the opposite sex to discover/verify if they really want to have a sex change operation.
SEX REASSIGNMENT SURGERY (SRS)
A sex change operation.
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