Knowing helpful terms

Other terms that might come up in a discussion about being transgender include:

• Cisgender. This term is used to describe an individual whose gender identity and expression matches the stereotypical societal characteristics related to sex assigned at birth.
• Cross-dressing. This involves dressing as the other gender for entertainment or pleasure. Cross-dressing isn't necessarily a sign of a person's gender identity or sexual orientation. Cross-dressing also isn't indicative of gender dysphoria.
• Gender fluidity. This is the exhibition of a variability of gender identity and expression. Gender fluid people don't feel restricted by typical societal norms and expectations and might identify and express themselves as masculine, feminine or along a spectrum, and possibly with variations over time.
• Gender nonconforming. This occurs when gender expression, gender roles or both differ from societal norms and expectations for an individual's sex assigned at birth.
• Gender role. This term refers to the societal norms and expectations associated with a person's sex assigned at birth.
• Sexual minority stress. This is stress related to societal stigma, prejudice and discrimination toward individuals with diverse gender identity and expression.
• Trans man and trans woman. These terms are used to describe, in a gender binary manner, a transgender individual's gender identity or expression. For example, the term "trans woman" is used for an individual whose sex at birth was assigned male and whose gender identity is female. However, not all transgender individuals use these terms to describe themselves.

If you have further questions about gender identity, consider checking out resources such as The Fenway Institute or the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health at the University of California, San Francisco.