Trans* 101

All the conversation about transgender  identities in the media in the last week has been truly groundbreaking.The Bruce Jenner interview with Diane Sawyer has gotten mostly positive reviews. Still, as this is a very new subject for many Americans, some confusion continues to exist regarding transgender issues. With this installment in my trans* blog series, I want to shed some light on this topic. I’ve included some basic terms and definitions, as well as some attempts to clarify certain portions of the Bruce Jenner interview.

Transgender: This is an umbrella term used to identify someone whose gender identity (their deeply felt sense of being male, female, or somewhere on the spectrum of gender) differs from their sex assigned at birth. Most people are assigned purely based on their external genitalia. For some – approximately 1% of the population – that assignment conflicts with their experience of themselves related to gender. There are other terms under this umbrella term, like gender queer, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid. Sometimes people describe themselves as MTF or FTM (male to female and female to male). Other folks are not comfortable with these terms and choose to not identify with them. Each individual has an opportunity to choose language that feels true to them.

Many people use the word transsexual to describe someone who has undergone medical intervention in the quest for authenticity. It is not appropriate to say the transgender or a transgender. It’s also not appropriate to used transgendered. Using the or a is objectifying; using an ed at the end of a word infers that something happened to create a situation. Think of a person of color vs. a colored person, and you see the significance. Additionally, a trans woman is someone who’s gender identity is that of a woman, though they may have been assigned male at birth. A trans man is someone who identifies as male, but was assigned female at birth.

Transition: This term came up quite a bit in the interview. Transition describes the journey that some transgender people embark upon in order to achieve their best, most authentic self. For some people, this can involve medical interventions, including, but not limited to: hormone therapy, electrolysis, facial surgery, voice feminization, breast augmentation (sometimes referred to as top surgery), and gender confirmation surgery (where a person’s genitals are surgically altered to confirm their inner experience of gender. This is sometimes referred to as bottom surgery. Many people use the term Sexual reassignment surgery which I tend to avoid. I believe, as others do, that nothing is being reassigned but confirmed.

Pronouns: Bruce Jenner advised Diane Sawyer to continue using the familiar pronoun of he. This was very confusing and aggravating for many people in the transgender community! Some people choose to use pronouns consistent with their gender identity; in the case of Bruce Jenner, a presumption might be that the pronoun she would be most appropriate. I do not claim to know why Bruce made this choice, but I do understand how it created some uncertainty. I, of course, support everyone’s choice in choosing language that feels true to their identity.

It’s important to note that some individuals prefer very specific pronouns. A great way to be supportive of someone is to ask, What pronouns do you prefer? Then, do your best to use them! One thing I recommend is that if you slip and use the wrong pronoun, own your mistake and apologize. Something like Oh, I noticed I said he… I am sorry and will try not to let that happen again. By owning the mistake, you’re letting your friend know you are cognizant of their feelings (vs. being perceived as not caring).

Sexual Orientation: Another confusing point in the Jenner interview involved Bruce indicating a heterosexual identity. Again, this is obviously for Bruce to define for their own life, and I am respectful of the individual terminology chosen. I do think it’s important to note that many trans women who are attracted to women would identify as gay or lesbian. The most important point is to note that gender identity and sexual orientation are distinct. Being trans* does not mean someone is gay; likewise, being gay doesn’t mean someone is trans. Yes, some trans people are gay, but many are heterosexual. Remembering that one does not equal the other is very important. A great way to remember: Sexual orientation is who you go to bed WITH, while gender identity is who you go to bed AS.

I hope this information alleviates some confusion and begin to create a solid, basic understanding surrounding transgender issues. Trans* people are very diverse and quite individual in how they live their lives. When you are unsure about something (like pronouns or names), be gentle and ask with respect. It’s never okay to ask a trans person about very private issues (such as surgery or their bodies). If you’re curious, the Internet can provide many answers and may help you avoid making someone uncomfortable. Compassion and respect are powerful. Use them and show your support!