Megan's TG Glossary

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Category: General

Last Updated on Saturday, 04 May 2013 20:27

These are my own definitions of terms used at this website, and they may or not seem technically and/or politically correct to some people. The trans community is extremely diverse, and words used to describe it always fall short. If you would like for me to add, remove, or change something here, please leave a comment below (you do not need to register; comments are reviewed before publishing). This list is very selective. For a more extensive one, see Transgendered Glossary at TS Road Map.

Come Out

In a transgender context, confiding in other people that one is transgender. This may involve only a few people or, if one is "out," it may mean not attempting to hide it at all. To be "outed" is to have someone else (or one's appearance) inform others that one is transgender.

Cross-Dresser

Someone who at least at times wears clothing normally worn only by someone of the opposite sex/gender. The term is subjective, and can only be applied with certainty to those who self-identify as cross-dressers. Outside the U.S. the term "transvestite" may be used instead. Within the U.S. many cross-dressers see negative implications in "transvestite" and decline to use that word, but some do use it. The typical cross-dresser, to me, appears to be a married heterosexual male that desires to dress in women's clothing on occasion, although there are many atypical ones. For some it is very important to have those opportunities. Transsexuals often go through a cross-dressing phase, possibly a very long one, before they begin to fully identify as transsexual. When they socialize with cross-dressers, however, they often find that they somehow do not fit in. While this description is very vague, it is very often what people go through in order to correctly self-identify.

Dilation

A procedure used after SRS to prevent adhesion of the skin during healing and to stretch the vagina to full size. It is uncomfortable and time-consuming, and must be continued for life, although the frequency of dilation can be reduced over time.

DRAB (or drab)

"DRessed as A Boy."

DRAG (or drag)

"DRessed as A Girl," usually.

FTM (Female-To-Male)

A transsexual born female and desiring to be male. Also applied with qualification to a female cross-dresser that presents as male.

Full-Time (or RLE)

Living all of the time presenting in the gender corresponding to one's gender identity. Also, for the first year, called "real life experience" or "real life test" for those seeking SRS. The transition to full-time is usually an important event for transsexuals because having to change their presentation back and forth tends to be particularly stressful for them. Going full-time is also generally a prerequisite for SRS. Some cross-dressers go full-time without having plans for ever having SRS, sometimes calling themselves "transgenderists." Most cross-dressers, however, continue to change their presentations back and forth with varying degrees of comfort depending upon the individual. Some transsexuals also end their transitions with going full-time and do not plan to have SRS.

Gender Identity

The way one self-identifies with respect to gender. Most people identify as male or female, and most people's gender identity agrees with their "assigned sex"--what the doctor said when they were born. In some cases, however, the doctor just said "hmm..." or "uh oh!" and at best the assignment was arbitrary. For other people, their perception of their gender--and in particular where they "fit in" socially with other people--is at odds with their assigned sex, and may not even fall squarely into the "female" or "male" category.

Gender Identity Dysphoria/Disorder (GID)

A condition where one's gender identity does not align with one's sex. A diagnosis usually applied to transsexuals.

GRS -- Gender Reassignment Surgery

See SRS

Hormones

I can't do justice to this topic. Lynn Conway touches upon it in How is MtF transsexualism medically treated. Transsexual Road Map provides a reference page without directly explaining what it is all about. There are links there to other resources. Transsexuals often first appear at local support groups after they begin taking hormones that they purchase through the Internet, not sure of what to do next.

Intersexual

One whose body combines features of both the female and male sexes due to genetic or developmental factors. I identify as "hormonal intersexual" because I have a congenital medical condition that produced another condition, hypogonadism, that has intersex-like effects even though it is not formally classified as an intersex condition. Intersexuals may or may not identify as transsexual, and usually do not. I am. I do not claim to belong to the intersex community, and that is why I qualify "intersexual" with "hormonal."

Labiaplasty

A follow-up SRS procedure to form the inner labia and to perform any minor revisions needed after vaginoplasty. See Dr. Meltzer's website for more information.

MTF (Male-To-Female)

A transsexual born apparently male and desiring to be female. Also applied with qualification to a male cross-dresser that presents as female ("MTF cross-dresser").

Non-op

A transsexual that transitions without having SRS; a non-operative TS. No independent English word yet seems to have evolved for transsexuals that do not wish to have SRS leaving us, for now, with the awkward construction "non-op transsexual." Non-ops may also use "transgender," since the word "transsexual" is perceived as focusing upon "sex change."

Pre-op (Pre-operative Transsexual)

A transsexual that is planning SRS but has not yet had it. Ideally this period should only last about a year after going full-time, but it sometimes goes much longer and sometime it is shorter (for me it was 10 months). Pre-ops commonly take higher doses of hormones, with greater attendant risks. Restroom issues (which restroom to use?) can present difficulties, especially at work. It is often possible to obtain a new driver's license showing the appropriate new gender, but other records such as passports, social security records, and employment records still carry the original gender marker even though the name is changed, and this can lead to difficulties when traveling or changing jobs.

Post-op (Post-operative Transsexual)

A transsexual that has had SRS and has completed or is nearing the end of transition.

SRS -- Sexual Reassignment Surgery

Lynn Conway covers this topic extremely well for MTFs on her SRS Page. Please read the cover page before proceeding. For the most part only transsexuals seek SRS, although there are exceptions. Not all transsexuals that transition do seek SRS, however (see non-op). See also vaginoplasty and labiaplasty.

Tracheal Shave

A minor surgical procedure often requested by MTF transsexuals. Cartilage is removed from the "Adam's apple" to make the neck appear more feminine.

Trans, Transwoman, Transman, Transperson

"Trans" is sometimes used as an abbreviation for "transsexual" or "transgender." I personally use it as an alternative to the medical term "transsexual," and as a more specific term than "transgender." A transwoman is an MTF transsexual, and a transman is an FTM transsexual.

Transgender

A word of modern origin that is used in very different ways by different people and/or at different times. It comes from the coined word "transgenderist" which refers to a cross-dresser who chooses to always dress as the opposite gender, "full time" as opposed to "part time," and who does not want to be thought of as transsexual. In common usage today, however, it is used in a general way to refer to cross-dressers, transsexuals, and other gender-variant people. Some transsexuals that cannot transition or do not presently desire to do specifically self-identify as "transgender" rather than "transsexual," and the word is often used as if it were equivalent to "transsexual." It was coined in the first place, however, as a way to distinguish full-time cross-dressers from transsexuals, and many transsexuals are uncomfortable using it.

Transition

Applied to transsexuals, the process ("transitioning") of transforming oneself and one's life so as to be living all of the time in a manner consistent with one's gender identity, and to the years during which this transformation takes place. For one insightful view of the process, see  Transsexual Road Map, and especially the Transition Timetable at that site. For another, see What is transsexual transition at Lynn Conway's site. Also see my transition timeline.

Transsexual (or TS)

One who self-identifies with the gender opposite to the one assigned at birth. In common usage, transsexuals desire to transition, although not all are able to do so. I identify strongly as an MTF transsexual and loosely as Intersexual. See also Gender Identity.

Vaginoplasty

The SRS procedure that forms the vagina. See Dr. Meltzer's website for more information.