Shemale Terminology

Shemale Terminology

Transgender: a catch-all phrase for individuals whose gender identity, expression, or behavior differs from that which is traditionally associated with the sex to which they were born, including but not limited to transsexuals, crossdressers, androgynous individuals, genderqueers, and gender non-conforming individuals. Transgender is a general word that is appropriate for use by non-transgender persons. “Trans” is an abbreviation for “transgender.”

transgendered terminology

Transgender Man: a description of a transgender person who is now living as a male (also known as a “FTM”).

Transgender Woman: a description of a transgender person who identifies as a woman right now (see also “MTF”).

Gender Identity: intrinsic feeling of gender or other identity within an individual. One's gender identity may not be obvious to others because it is an internal concept.

Gender Expression: How someone portrays or communicates their gender identification to others, frequently through behavior, attire, haircuts, voice, or physical features.

Transsexual: a description of persons whose gender identification differs from the sex they were biologically assigned. Transsexuals frequently change or seek to change their bodies to fit their gender identification through hormones or surgery.

Cross-dresser: a word used to describe persons who dress in conventionally or stereotypically gendered ways but who do not want to live exclusively as the other sex.

Transvestite:a description of a cross-dresser that many people find insulting.

Queer:

a phrase used to describe persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and frequently also transgender. Since the term “queer” does not imply a sense of gender, some people use it in place of the term “gay” in an effort to be more inclusive.
The phrase, which was historically frequently used negatively, can have either a pejorative or an affirming tone depending on who is using it.

Genderqueer: Some people who identify as neither either masculine nor exclusively feminine use this phrase.

Gender Non-conforming: a label for people whose gender expression deviates from gender-related social norms.

Bi-gendered:

a person with a strong gender identification that includes both male and female.
Though some may believe that one side is more powerful than the other, both sides are there.

Two-Spirit*:a phrase used nowadays to denote to long-standing multiple-gender customs seen in many First Nations societies. Being two-spirited is a term used by many Native/First Nations individuals who identify as homosexual, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or gender non-conforming. In many Nations, being two-spirited entails both more respect and extra duties and responsibilities to one's community.

FTM: a person who makes the transition from “female-to-male,” that is, a person who was born with the gender assigned to her but who now identifies and behaves as a man. likewise referred to as a “transgender man.”

MTF: a person who makes the transition from “male-to-female,” that is, someone who was given the gender of male at birth but who now considers themselves to be female. likewise referred to as a “transgender woman.”

Passing: a phrase used by transgender persons to describe being perceived as the gender they identify with. For instance, a transgender guy who was born a woman but identifies as a man.

Sex Reassignment Surgery: surgical processes that alter a person's physique to match their gender identification. This might involve “bottom surgery” (changing genitalia) or “top surgery” (breast augmentation or removal). Contrary to common opinion, there are actually several separate procedures; there isn't just one. The term “sex change surgery” is often used in a negative way.

Sexual Orientation: a phrase used to describe someone's attraction to others of the same sex or a different sex.
The terms lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual are often used.

Transition: the time frame in which a person transitions to their new gender. Changing one's name, taking hormones, getting surgery, or having their legal papers (such as their driver's license, Social Security record, or birth certificate) changed to reflect their new gender are all examples of transitioning.

Intersex: a label applied to persons who are born with chromosomes, internal reproductive systems, or external genitalia that are not often seen in either a “standard” male or female.

Drag Queen: often used to describe as guys who dress as women (frequently celebrities ladies) to amuse people at pubs, clubs, and other gatherings. Additionally, it is slang for all transsexual women, sometimes in a negative way.

Drag King: used to describe women who dress as males to amuse others at pubs, clubs, and other occasions.