Transgender, often shortened to Trans,[1] is an umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity does not correspond to the sex they were assigned at birth.[2] Transgender individuals may describe themselves with one or more variety of terms.[3] Transgender is not a noun, rather it is an adjective. When discussing someone who is transgender, say "they are a transgender individual" rather than "they are a transgender."[3]
Many transgender individuals take part in hormone replacement therapy and undergo surgeries to change their bodies, but not all transgender individuals can or want to take those steps.[4] Many transgender individuals also experience gender dysphoria, which is the distress, unhappiness and anxiety related to one's gender identity not corresponding with their body.[5] However, not everyone experiences gender dysphoria.[5]
While the term is typically seen to represent transgender men (or FtM) and transgender women (or MtF),[2] the term also includes non-binary identities.[6]
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term comes from combining the word 'gender' with the prefix 'trans-',[7] which means "across," "beyond," "thought," and "changing thoroughly."[8] In chemistry, the prefix "denotes a geometric isomer having a pair of identical atoms or groups on the opposite sides of two atoms linked by a double bond."[8] In this context, it is often compared to the prefix 'cis-', which is where the term "cisgender" originates.
History[edit | edit source]
Although the word "transgender" and the modern definition of it came into use in the late 20th century, transgender individuals have existed in many cultures throughout recorded history.[9]
The current definition was coined in 1965 by John F. Oliven.[10]
Flags & Symbols[edit | edit source]
The most common transgender flag was created by a trans woman named Monica Helms in 1999, and was first showed in Phoenix, Arizona at a pride celebration the following year. The flag's pattern was chosen so that no matter which way one would fly it, it would always be correct. The meaning behind the colors, as described by Helms, goes as follows:[11]
"The stripes at the top and bottom are light blue, the traditional color for baby boys. The stripes next to them are pink, the traditional color for baby girls. The stripe in the middle is white, for those who are intersex or consider themselves having a neutral or undefined gender."
The transgender symbol was designed by Holly Boswell, Wendy Parker and Nancy R. Nangeroni in the early 1990s. The design is the male symbol and female symbol linked together, along with a combination of the two. The circle connected these symbols represents the wholeness of a society that includes transgender individuals.[12]
The flag for black transgender individuals and trans individuals of color was created by trans activist and writer Raquel Willis. It was designed to celebrate the history of the black trans community and spread awareness to the violence against trans individuals of color.[13] However, this flag has been criticized for removing the white stripe, being seen as erasure of non-binary individuals.[14]
Another transgender flag was designed by Michelle Lindsay for the Trans Day of Remembrance in Ottawa. The pink and blue represent female and male, and the flag uses the transgender symbol. The colors are bold to represent confidence and pride, and the colors come together to represent the "unlimited horizons we have in this world."[15]
The Israeli transgender flag consists of bright, neon green and the transgender symbol. There is also another version of this flag with a black base and a neon green symbol. This flag has been used in protests across Israel, but the original creator of the flag is unknown.[16]
Jonathan "Captain John" Andrew created another transgender flag in 1999, uploaded on his website, Adventures in Boyland. The alternating blue and pink represent the transition between male and female, while the white accent represents "the little triumphs that happen upon us during our journeys to become whole." The lavender symbol is seen as representing FtM/MtF or intersex/both/shifting. In 2015, Andrew noted that he could not find a transgender pride flag and decided to design his own, but never had the funds to produce it.[17]
Community[edit | edit source]
Statistics[edit | edit source]
According to a Williams Institute study from 2020, over 1.6 million individuals identify as transgender in the United States, with 0.6% being between the ages of 13-17.[18]
A Pew Research Center study done in 2022 shows that 5.1% adults younger than 30 are trans or non-binary, with 2.0% identifying as trans men or trans women and 3.0% as non-binary. This study also found that 1.6% of those between the ages of 30-49 and 0.3% of those who are 50 and older are trans or non-binary.[19]
Perceptions and Discrimination[edit | edit source]
Transgender individuals face a lack of legal protection. Some state legislature across the United States are debating, and passing, legislation specifically designed to prohibit transgender individuals fro accessing public bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity.[20]
Around 29% of transgender adults live in poverty.[20] Between 2014 and 2015, 54% of trans individuals have reported experiencing some form of violence from an intimate partner, 47% have reported being sexually assaulted and nearly one in ten were physically assaulted.[20] Over 27 transgender and gender non-conforming individuals were violently killed in 2020.[20]
Known Individuals[edit | edit source]
- Laura Jane Grace is a transgender musician[21]
- NOAHFINNCE is a transgender musician and YouTuber[22]
- Elliot Page is a transgender actor[23]
Representation[edit | edit source]
Literature[edit | edit source]
- Pussy Braden (Breakfast on Pluto)[24]
Comics[edit | edit source]
TV[edit | edit source]
- Unique Adams (Glee)[27]
- Sheldon Beiste (Glee)[28]
- Gray Tal (Star Trek: Discovery)[29]
- Lexi Haddad-DeFabrizio (Saved By The Bell)[30]
- Ma Hyun Yi (Itaewon Class)[31]
- Sophia Burset (Orange is the New Black)[32]
- Angel (Pose!)[33]
Video Games[edit | edit source]
- Charles Eyler (Hello Charlotte)[34]
Subterms[edit | edit source]
| Label | Flag | Description | Coiner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demitransgender |  [35] |
Partially identifying with a gender that is different from one's AGAB. | Beyond MOGAI Pride Flags[35] |
| Transandrogynous |  [36]
|
Identifying with a gender that is androgynous and doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | decaykid[36] |
| Transandromasc |  [37]
|
Identifying with a gender that is androgynous and masculine that doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | BlueJayDragon200[37] |
| Transaporine |  [38]
|
Identifying with a gender that is aporine that doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | Beyond MOGAI Pride Flags[38] |
| Transfeminine |  [39]
|
Identifying with a gender that is feminine that doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | Unknown |
| Transfluid |  [40]
|
Identifying with a gender that is fluid that doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | chemical-swirls-in-your-brain[40] |
| Transmascfem |  [41]
|
Identifying with a gender that is masculine and feminine that doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | Beyond MOGAI Pride Flags[41] |
| Transmasculine |  [42]
|
Identifying with a gender that is masculine that doesn't correspond with one's AGAB. | Unknown |
| Transmaverine |  [43]
|
Identifying with a gender that is maverine that doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | the-delta-quadrant[43] |
| Transneufem |  [44]
|
Identifying with a gender that is neutral and feminine that doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | imoga-pride[44] |
| Transneumasc |  [45]
|
Identifying with a gender that is neutral and masculine that doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | nixera[45] |
| Transneutral |  [46]
|
Identifying with a gender that is neutral that doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | acro-pluris[46] |
| Transnull |  [47]
|
Identifying with a gender that is null that doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | Beyond MOGAI Pride Flags[47] |
| Transoutherine |  [48]
|
Identifying with a gender that is outherine and doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | Beyond MOGAI Pride Flags[48] |
| Transselfen |  [49]
|
Transitioning towards being oneself rather than being a particular gender. | solidwater05[49] |
| Transxenine |  [50]
|
Identifying with a gender that is xenine that doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | Beyond MOGAI Pride Flags[50] |
Genders[edit | edit source]
| Gender | Flag | Description | Coiner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Binary |  [51] |
Identifying with a gender that is neither fully man nor woman. | thejasmineself[51] |
| Trans Man |  [52]
|
Identifying as a man or with a man-aligned gender that doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | frcgdad_[52] |
| Trans Woman |  [53]
|
Identifying as a woman or with a woman-aligned gender that doesn't correspond to one's AGAB. | arachnopath[53] |
Related terms[edit | edit source]
| Label | Relationship | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cisgender | Opposite | Identifying with a gender that matches one's AGAB. |
| Cisn't | Opposite | Anyone who is not cisgender. |
| Trans't | Similar | Anyone who is not transgender. |
| Transsexual | Similar | Desiring sex characteristics that are different from one's AGAB. |
Sources[edit | edit source]
- ↑ National Center for Transgender Equality. “Understanding Transgender People: The Basics.” National Center for Transgender Equality, 9 July 2016, transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-transgender-people-the-basics.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 American Psychological Association. “Understanding Transgender People, Gender Identity and Gender Expression.” American Psychological Association, 9 Mar. 2023, www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/transgender-people-gender-identity-gender-expression.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 “Transgender FAQ - GLAAD.” Glaad.org, 28 Jan. 2023, glaad.org/transgender/transfaq/.
- ↑ “Transgender | Psychology Today.” Psychology Today, 2019, www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/transgender.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Planned Parenthood. “What Does Transgender Mean? | Gender Identification Facts.” Www.plannedparenthood.org, 2023, www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/gender-identity/transgender.
- ↑ Bhandari, Smitha. “What Is Transgender?” WebMD, 20 May 2021, www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/what-is-transgender.
- ↑ “Definition of Transgender | Dictionary.com.” Www.dictionary.com, 2019, www.dictionary.com/browse/transgender.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 “Trans Definition & Meaning.” Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/trans. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ Armstrong, Catherine. “The Trans History You Weren’t Taught in Schools.” YES! Magazine, 7 June 2021, www.yesmagazine.org/social-justice/2021/06/07/trans-history-gender-diversity.
- ↑ John Frederick Oliven. Sexual Hygiene and Pathology : A Manual for the Physician and the Professions. London, Pitman Medical Publ. Co, 1965.
- ↑ “The History of the Transgender Flag | Point of Pride.” Www.pointofpride.org, 23 Apr. 2015, www.pointofpride.org/blog/the-history-of-the-transgender-flag.
- ↑ Nangeroni, Nancy R. “Transgender Symbol | GenderTalk.” Gendertalk.com, www.gendertalk.com/tg-symbol/.
- ↑ “Https://Twitter.com/Raquelwillis_/Status/768105708545945600?Lang=En.” X (Formerly Twitter), 23 Aug. 2016, twitter.com/raquelwillis_/status/768105708545945600. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ “Https://Twitter.com/Pastel47824155/Status/1348870452110913538.” X (Formerly Twitter), 11 Jan. 2021, twitter.com/Pastel47824155/status/1348870452110913538. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ “Welcome Gendermosaic.com - BlueHost.com.” Gendermosaic.com, gendermosaic.com/about-our-flag/.
- ↑ Gogay.co.il, 20 Nov. 2009, gogay.co.il/item.php?id=7402.
- ↑ “Pride Flag Guide: Transgender (Captain John Design) | Library.LGBT.” Flag.library.lgbt, 21 June 2021, flag.library.lgbt/flags/transgender-captain-john-design/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ Flores, Andrew, et al. “How Many Adults Identify as Transgender in the United States?” Williams Institute, June 2022, williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/trans-adults-united-states/.
- ↑ Brown, Anna. “About 5% of Young Adults in the U.S. Say Their Gender Is Different from Their Sex Assigned at Birth.” Pew Research Center, 7 June 2022, www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/06/07/about-5-of-young-adults-in-the-u-s-say-their-gender-is-different-from-their-sex-assigned-at-birth/.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 HRC Foundation. “Understanding the Transgender Community | Human Rights Campaign.” Human Rights Campaign, 22 Apr. 2015, www.hrc.org/resources/understanding-the-transgender-community.
- ↑ “Polyvinyl Records - Artists, News, Music - Shop Vinyl, Merch, Music and More.” Www.polyvinylrecords.com, www.polyvinylrecords.com/artist/laura_jane_grace. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ Loftin, Steven. “NOAHFINNCE: “I like the Whole Idea of Being Different in a Way That’s True to Yourself.”” Upsetmagazine.com, 8 June 2022, upsetmagazine.com/features/noahfinnce-i-like-the-whole-idea-of-being-different-in-a-way-thats-true-to-yourself/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ Mullen, Bill. “The Euphoria of Elliot Page.” Esquire, 1 June 2022, www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a40011366/elliot-page-umbrella-academy-euphoria/.
- ↑ Podgorski, Daniel. “Gender and Violence in Breakfast on Pluto.” The Gemsbok, 10 Nov. 2015, thegemsbok.com/art-reviews-and-articles/book-reviews-tuesday-tome-breakfast-on-pluto-patrick-mccabe/.
- ↑ DeGrushe, Allison. “Yasmin Finney Portrays the Sweet Elle in “Heartstopper” — Is She Trans in Real Life?” Distractify, 26 Apr. 2022, www.distractify.com/p/is-elle-from-heartstopper-trans-in-real-life.
- ↑ “Magical Boy.” Thekao, www.thekao.net/magicalboy. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ White, Hilary. “Transgender Characters Who Have Changed TV Forever.” Popsugar, 10 Feb. 2015, www.popsugar.com/love/photo-gallery/36830583/image/36830591/Unique-Adams-Glee. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ “Sheldon Beiste | Passion 4 Representation.” Sites.psu.edu, sites.psu.edu/passion4representation/2017/10/06/sheldon-beiste/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ Kaplan, Avery. “How Star Trek: Discovery Helped Shine a Light on Trans Narratives in Sci-Fi.” Www.startrek.com, 24 July 2023, www.startrek.com/news/how-star-trek-discovery-helped-shine-a-light-on-trans-narratives-in-sci-fi. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ Smith, Reiss. “Saved by the Bell Star Josie Totah Agreed to Play Show’s First Trans Character on One Crucial Condition.” PinkNews | Latest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans News | LGBTQ+ News, 26 Nov. 2020, www.thepinknews.com/2020/11/26/josie-totah-saved-by-the-bell-trans-transgender-glee-jessie-champions/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ “Lee Joo Young Talks about Playing Transgender Character in “Itaewon Class.”” Soompi, 3 Mar. 2020, www.soompi.com/article/1386363wpp/lee-joo-young-talks-about-playing-transgender-character-in-itaewon-class. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ Damante, Becca. “Where Are They Now: The Queer Actors and Characters of OITNB.” Www.advocate.com, 22 July 2023, www.advocate.com/television/orange-is-the-new-black-where-are-they-now#rebelltitem10. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ Willis, Raquel. ““Pose” Is the TV Series Queer and Trans People of Color Deserve.” Them., 3 June 2018, www.them.us/story/pose-fx-qtpoc-representation.
- ↑ “Https://Twitter.com/TransOfTheDay/Status/1412622405084667906.” X (Formerly Twitter), 6 July 2021, twitter.com/TransOfTheDay/status/1412622405084667906. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 beyond-mogai-pride-flags. “Demitransgender Pride Flag.” Tumblr, 1 May 2018, beyond-mogai-pride-flags.tumblr.com/post/173489048975/demitransgender-pride-flag. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 decaykid. “Transandrogynous Pride Flag by Decaykid on DeviantArt.” Www.deviantart.com, 23 Apr. 2017, www.deviantart.com/decaykid/art/Transandrogynous-Pride-Flag-676728182. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 Lgbta.wikia.org, lgbta.wikia.org/f/p/4400000000000190223.
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 ---. “Transaporine Pride Flag.” Tumblr, 18 Jan. 2021, beyond-mogai-pride-flags.tumblr.com/post/640685990851248128/transaporine-pride-flag. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ Pride-Flags. “Trans Woman / Transfeminine (1) by Pride-Flags on DeviantArt.” Www.deviantart.com, 4 July 2015, www.deviantart.com/pride-flags/art/Trans-Woman-Transfeminine-1-543925985. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 “Transfluid.” LGBTQIA+ Wiki, 16 May 2021, www.lgbtqia.wiki/wiki/Transfluid. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 ---. “Transmascfem Flag.” Tumblr, 26 Jan. 2019, beyond-mogai-pride-flags.tumblr.com/post/182332585525/transmascfem-flag. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ Pride-Flags. “Trans Man / Transmasculine (1) by Pride-Flags on DeviantArt.” Www.deviantart.com, 4 July 2015, www.deviantart.com/pride-flags/art/Trans-Man-Transmasculine-1-543925972. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 the-delta-quadrant. “Some Transmaverine Flags.” Tumblr, the-delta-quadrant.tumblr.com/post/701380472798937088/some-transmaverine-flags. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 imoga-pride. “Transneufem Flag.” Tumblr, 1 Jan. 2019, imoga-pride.tumblr.com/post/182046956306/transneufem-flag. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 beyond-mogai-pride-flags. “Beyond MOGAI Pride Flags.” Tumblr, 2 Nov. 2018, beyond-mogai-pride-flags.tumblr.com/post/179692231405/id-an-eleven-striped-flag-with-blue-fading-into. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 arco-pluris. “BTX/BTNB Pride Flags.” Tumblr, 27 Apr. 2018, arco-pluris.tumblr.com/post/173358850477/btxbtnb-binary-to-non-binary-a-transneutral-or. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 ---. “Transnull Pride Flag.” Tumblr, 18 Sept. 2020, beyond-mogai-pride-flags.tumblr.com/post/629641147124482048/transnull-pride-flag. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 48.0 48.1 ---. “Transoutherine Pride Flag.” Tumblr, 18 Jan. 2021, beyond-mogai-pride-flags.tumblr.com/post/640686795524358144/transoutherine-pride-flag. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 solidwater05. “Transselfen”: Tumblr, 2 July 2023, www.tumblr.com/solidwater05/721782148835803136/transselfen. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 ---. “Transxenine Pride Flag.” Tumblr, 28 Jan. 2020, beyond-mogai-pride-flags.tumblr.com/post/190514754720/transxenine-pride-flag. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 51.0 51.1 thejasmineelf-blog. “Genderweird.” Tumblr, thejasmineelf-blog.tumblr.com/post/77007286542/after-counting-up-all-the-votes-for-each. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 frcgdad_. “FTM/Trans Man Pride Flag Made by Me!” Reddit, 8 June 2022, www.reddit.com/r/QueerVexillology/comments/v7scfp/ftmtrans_man_pride_flag_made_by_me/. Accessed 13 Apr. 2024.
- ↑ 53.0 53.1 arachnopath. “🕷️.” Tumblr, 1 July 2019, arachnopath.tumblr.com/post/186616031893/arachnopath-arachnopath-alright-submitted. Accessed 23 Feb. 2024.