Definitions

Sex: a biological category based upon reproductive functions and organs. Gender: the state of being male or female as defined by society. Transgender: a person who expresses a gender identity that doesn’t correspond with their biological sex. Cisgender: people whose biological sex and gender match. Genderqueer: A person who doesn’t identify as either male or female, or identifies with a combination of male and female genders. Gender-nonconforming: An individual who doesn’t match masculine and feminine gender norms. Pronouns: Some transgender people prefer to go by the gender-neutral pronouns, they, them and theirs. Transitioned: Transgender people almost always take hormones to help them develop secondary sexual characteristics consistent with their identity. After taking hormones, patients have the option of getting a number of sex reassignment surgeries, however not all transgender people do this. Passing: A person’s ability to, at a glance, be seen as a cisgender man or woman. Source: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Media Reference Guide