Transgender Factsheet

Transgender Factsheet What is ‘transgender’? Transgender people’s gender identity differs from the gender which they were assigned at birth. Transgender people suffer from what is known as gender dysphoria. This may be described as being ‘trapped in the wrong body’. They identify psychologically and emotionally with their preferred gender. What is ‘gender identity’? Gender identity is the gender(s), or lack thereof, a person self-defines as. Gender identities include male, female, both (bigendered), somewhere inbetween (third gender/genderqueer), or none (netrois). What is ‘gender dysphoria’? Gender dysphoria refers to the anguish, dissatisfaction, and discomfort that transgendered people experience about their unwanted physical gender characteristics. People with gender dysphoria often seek to change their physical characteristics in order to align them their preferred gender. This is part of a process called ‘transitioning’. What is ‘transitioning’? One aspect of transitioning is changing the physical attributes of gender in order for them to correspond to the person’s gender identity. Another aspect is coming out to others, in order for them to perceive the person as their preferred gender. Is transgender a sexual identity? Being transgender is not a sexual identity; transgendered people may identify with any sexual identity including straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, polysexual or asexual. How common are transgendered people? Since not all transgendered people make their transgendered status publicly known it is not possible to give an accurate estimate of how many transgendered people there are. However, the latest estimates suggest that 1 in every 5000 people identify as transgendered. What causes people to be transgendered? It is not known what causes people to be transgendered, but transgendered people do not consider themselves to be suffering from a mental illness. Therapy does not have an effect on their gender identity and the latest research suggests that the cause is biological and fixed before birth. How should I treat transgendered people? Transgendered people will appreciate you respecting their gender identity, and using the name and pronouns that they ask you to. This may not be easy to remember at first, but eventually it will become automatic. If there is something that you do not understand, look it up and educate yourself and/or ask!