Transgender, Non-Binary and Intersex People – Definitions and Concepts

Transgender

A person whose personal identity does not match the sex assigned at birth. It is an “umbrella term” used to describe a wide range of identities and experiences outside gender expectations.

Cisgender

A person whose personal identity matches the sex assigned at birth

Being Transgender is not a lifestyle or a choice!

The American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the

American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry all define this condition

as a disconnect between the sex assigned at birth and the gender the brain identifies as.

How many people are transgender?

According to a 2016 Williams Institute Report, approximately .6% of the population identifies as Transgender. This

equates to approximately 1.4 million Americans, and over 100,000 New Yorkers.

Trans Girl/Trans Woman

A person who identifies as female, but was assigned the sex of male at birth

Trans Boy/Trans Man

A person who identifies as male, but was assigned the sex of female at birth

Gender Transition

The experience or process by which a person goes from living as one gender to another. There is no right way, and no

right time.

Non-Binary/ Gender Non-Conforming People

An umbrella term used to describe people who do not feel male or female and who may have behaviors and

appearances that do not conform to social expectations. They may feel they embody elements of both sexes, or that

they are somewhere in between, or that they are something completely different and don't identify with any gender at

all. Non-binary people aren’t confused about their gender identity. Non-binary identities have been recognized by

cultures and societies around the world for centuries.

Being non-binary has nothing to do with sexual orientation. Non-binary people have the same range of preferences as

other people.

Intersex (The term “Hermaphrodite” is no longer used!)

The term “Intersex” is an umbrella term used to describe people with a wide range of natural bodily variations. Intersex

people are born with sex characteristics (including genitals, hormonal, and chromosome patterns) that do not fit typical

binary notions of male or female bodies. This body variation is not connected to sexual orientation or gender identity

Every Human can be described by four basic characteristics: Biological Sex, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and

Sexual Orientation

• The term “Sex” is a designation made at birth, based on observed physical characteristics of the baby’s genitals.

Unless something appears wrong, there is no further observation or study into the body of the baby. The Sex

designation will be used on all legal documents for that person from that point on, unless it is legally changed

• “Biological Sex” can only be determined by the full evaluation of genital configuration, reproductive organs,

hormones, and genetics.

• Gender Identity: The persistent internal perception of one’s gender - how we know ourselves

• Gender Expression: How we tell others our gender, by behaving or presenting

• Sexual Orientation: Who we are attracted to and who we love - the physical, romantic, emotional, and spiritual

attraction to others.

• Gender is more than the biological tissue with which you are born.

• Not everyone’s gender identity matches their reproductive organs.

• Sexual orientation is not based on biological sex or gender identity.

• Not everyone has clearly defined binary biological sex characteristics

Gender Binary

A classification of gender into two discrete categories: male and female. No other possibilities are allowed to exist, and

it describes a boundary that discourages crossing or mixing gender roles.

Heteronormativity

The belief that there are only two distinct and complementary genders: male and female. Our culture supports

behaviors and attitudes consistent with traditional gender roles. It views heterosexual masculine men and heterosexual

feminine women as normal, natural, and right. It views all other gender and sexuality dynamics as abnormal, inferior,

and wrong.

Transphobia

The mix of cultural and personal beliefs that produces an irrational negative response that includes hostility, fear,

discomfort, distrust, and hate directed towards individuals or groups who do not conform to society’s gender

expectations. Transphobia can be found in policies, laws, and social and economic arrangements that discriminate

against Transgender and Non-Binary people.

Information on transgender discrimination can be found at:

The U.S. Transgender Survey (USTS) www.ustranssurvey.org

Interacting With Gender-Expansive People & Becoming an Ally

  • View being gender-expansive as a positive identity rather than a tragic or confused situation.

  • Accept the person’s assertion of their identity - you don’t have to understand someone’s identity to respect it.

  • Understand terms & concepts. If you have questions, look it up!

  • Use language and behavior that is appropriate to the person’s gender identity.

  • Address the person by their chosen/preferred name – even if it has not been legally changed!

  • State your pronouns, then use the pronouns that the person prefers. If you don’t know what pronouns to use,

  • ask!

  • If you make a mistake, quickly apologize, and move forward.

  • Use gender-neutral language. They are not “feminine hygiene products”, they are simply “hygiene products”

  • since trans men use them!

  • Never Out Anyone! Some keep their identity private to shield themselves from potential safety risks and

  • violence.

  • Be careful about what questions you ask gender-expansive people. Off-limit questions include their birth name,

  • where they are in their transition, and anything related to their sexuality.

  • Challenge gender assumptions and transphobia whenever possible.

  • Get political and show up for the trans community! We need the power of your numbers and your support!

Pronouns and Usage

  • “She/Her/Hers” and “He/Him/His” are gender-specific pronouns

  • Non-binary & Gender Non-Conforming people may wish to avoid these labels and want to be referred to by

  • using the gender-neutral pronouns “They/Them/Theirs”

  • Here are a few examples of gender-neutral pronouns you might hear:

They/them/theirs:

“Xena ate their food because they were hungry.”

No pronouns

Some people prefer not to use pronouns at all, using their name as a pronoun instead:

“Xena ate Xena’s food because Xena was hungry”

Neopronouns (new (neo) pronouns that are increasingly used in place of “she,” “he,” or “they” when referring to a

person. Some examples include: ze/hir/hirs, xe/xem/xyr, and ey/em/eir).

Ze is pronounced like “zee” (can also be spelled zie or xe) and replaces she/he/they. Hir is pronounced like “here” and

replaces her/hers/him/his/they/theirs.

“Xena ate hir food because ze was hungry.”

Some Terms to Avoid

“A Transgender” “Transgenders”

The term “transgender” should be used as an adjective, not as a noun. Use “transgender people” or “a transgender

person”

“Sex change,” “Pre-operative,” “Post-operative”

Using these terms suggests that a person must have surgery in order to transition. Simply use “transition”. Avoid

overemphasizing surgery when discussing transgender people or the process of transition.

“Biologically male”, “Biologically female”, “Genetically male”, “Genetically female”, “Born a man”, “Born a woman“

The preferred terminology is “assigned male at birth”, ”assigned female at birth” or “designated male at birth”, “designated female at birth”

How To Be An Intersex Ally

  • View being Intersex as a positive natural variation, rather than as abnormal or disordered. Typically, Intersex

  • people have healthy bodies that happen to look or work a little differently.

  • Understand that intersex people exist in all cultures and societies, throughout history, and that the existence of

  • intersex people is worthy of celebration.

  • Understand that everyone has a right to make informed and educated decisions about their own bodies.

  • Listen to intersex people! Read articles by intersex people, watch videos made by intersex people, and follow

  • intersex people and intersex-led organizations on social media.

  • Do your research and learn about the unique issues Intersex people face!

  • Talk about intersex issues, advocate for Intersex people, and boost their voices to spread awareness.

  • Encourage others to treat Intersex people respectfully by using their preferred pronouns and not asking invasive

  • questions about their medical history.

  • Shut down negative talk or dehumanizing language that refers to intersex people. Call out intersexism when you

  • see it, whether it’s people excluding intersex people or bullying people for their intersex traits.

  • Never “out” an Intersex person!

  • Never use “Hermaphrodite” to refer to a person’s identity, unless an Intersex person has reclaimed it

  • Everyone has the right to their own sex and gender. Respect the way intersex people self-identify and realize

  • that intersex people often have different relationships with gender and transitioning than cis or trans people do.

  • Don’t assume you know Intersex people’s gender identity or sexuality.

  • Support the call for freely-given and fully informed consent by individuals, with individuals and families having

  • mandatory independent access to funded counselling and peer support.

  • Support the call for the implementation of advisory bodies to develop appropriate human rights-based, lifetime,

  • intersex standards of care with full and meaningful participation by intersex community representatives and

  • human rights institutions.

  • Support the call for effective legislative protection from discrimination and harmful practices on grounds of sex

  • characteristics.

  • Observe the Intersex Day of Solidarity on November 8th, the internationally observed awareness day designed

  • to highlight human rights issues faced by Intersex people.

  • Taking Important Steps to Becoming Welcoming and Inclusive

The goal of every organization, agency and facility should be:

  • to respect gender-expansive people’s dignity and privacy

  • to protect them from mistreatment

  • to ensure that their needs are fully understood and supported.

DO NOT assume that treating everyone the same, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, is effective or will

make gender-expansive people feel safe or welcomed. Treating everyone the same translates to treating everyone as

cisgender and dismissing the challenges gender-expansive people may have faced, including discrimination, physical and

emotional stress, and violence.