What Does It Mean to Be Transgender?

Being transgender means that a person’s gender identity—their deeply felt sense of being male, female, a blend of both, or neither—does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Key Points:

• Gender identity is how someone personally understands and experiences their gender.
• Sex assigned at birth is typically based on physical anatomy or chromosomes.
• A transgender person may identify as:
  • Male (transgender man)
  • Female (transgender woman)
  • Non-binary or genderqueer (identifying outside the traditional categories of male or female)

What It Involves:

• Some transgender people may choose to socially transition by changing their name, pronouns, clothing, or appearance.
• Others may pursue medical options such as hormone therapy or surgeries to align their bodies with their gender identity.
• Being transgender is about living authentically as the gender that feels true to oneself.

Importance of Respect:

• Using a transgender person’s chosen name and pronouns is a simple way to show respect.
• Understanding and acceptance help promote well-being and reduce discrimination.

If you want, I can provide more information on the experiences of transgender people, terminology, or how to be an ally!