Working With Transgender Persons
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
By Paul M. Elizondo III, DO, Willy Wilkinson, MPH, and Christopher Daley, MD
September 6, 2012http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/gender-disorders/content/article/10168/2100893The transgender community is a diverse group of individuals who self-identify in many ways (eg, transsexual, transgender, gender nonconforming). Members of the community commonly transcend society's gender binary and widely assumed definitions of gender roles and instead identify within a spectrum of gender expression.
What terms referring to gender identity are most appropriate? How do I know which pronoun to use?
The terms "MTF" (male-to-female) and "FTM" (female-to-male) are widely used in clinical notes and academic literature. However, the preferred terms are "transwoman" and "transman," which are appreciated as the most affirming of the patient's identity; they de-emphasize the pathology model, and reflect an active appreciation of the diversity model. The latter are more affirming terms and discourage users from thinking of transgender persons as "pre" and "post" surgery and/or "pre" hormone therapy, because these variables may or may not have any bearing on the person's gender identity or the pronoun that is appropriate for the person.
If you are not sure which pronoun to use, you can ask the patient directly: "Which pronoun is appropriate?" rather than, "Which pronoun do you prefer?" For many people, the pronoun use is a clear identity rather than a preference....
