Standard terms and definitions

[Susan]

The admin staff are working on definitions of common transgender terms. We will define them for you. We did not want to do this, but we are getting tired of listening to the users of this site's quibbling over the meanings of common(sense) definitions. If the users of this site want to be led about by the hand, then by all means lets do it. We are not defining or labeling you, only what the meanings of these terms are for the community on this web site.

Main Entry: quib·ble
Pronunciation: 'kwi-b&l
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): quib·bled; quib·bling  /-b(&-)li[ng]/
intransitive verb
1 : to evade the point of an argument by caviling about words
2 a : CAVIL, CARP b : BICKER
transitive verb : to subject to quibbles
- quib·bler  /-b(&-)l&r/ noun

Note: for those of you worried that we are going to make this site less inclusive you can all relax. This site is how it will always be. Minus the sniping and bickering

[Laura Eva B]

Susan,

How can anyone define terminology without offening someone or another ?

Are you for instance going to define "primary" and "secondary" transsexualism as quoted so recently by (I think) Tink .... terminology so discredited nowadays (after all, we're really all secondary aren't we, as how many of us were absolutely and consistently rejecting of our assigned gender from babyhood onwards ?).

We are not defining or labeling you, only what the meanings of these terms are for the community on this web site.

Are we going to have to declare our category under our user name (would be so nice wouldn't it, intersex / TS (cat 1 or 2, post or pre-op) / TG (out or closeted) / TV (serious or fetishist) / admirer / troll / fraud ....) ?

Contentions on the forum have all been about TVs / TGs devaluing each other's experience and status, not any real concern or argument as to where we fit in the gender spectrum, which we're generally honest about ... trolls and frauds excepting !

Laura x

[Susan]

How can anyone define terminology without offening someone or another ?

Right now there are several people with an agenda, who are pushing their controversial views on terms which should universally understood without issue. They are also hijacking any discussion which touches transsexual issues. I am tired of it, so we will put a stop to it. It's blocking meaningful discussions, and I am sure the majority of the users here are just about as tired of it as I am. I hope everyone will be happy with the definitions we come up with but if not, we will still do this. I do what I see as the best for the community and the site, even when it's not the most popular thing to do. People usually come around to my point of view sooner or later.

If you want to contribute what you understand the terms to mean then by all means post on this thread. We will listen to community input, but once we make a final decision on them they will stand.

If the people involved want to stop playing what I am sure they see as a game, we can reconsider this issue but I doubt that happens.

[Lori]

O.k. I may be way off base but it was my understanding that...

1)Transsexual changed Sex. That means SRS or in FTM's a hystorectomy/mastectomy. It means surgery to remove the sexual aspects or change them from the birth gender or at least wants to.

2)->-bleeped-<-/Transvestite a male that lives as a woman with some feminization through BA and HRT. Likes what they have as far as sexual organs and does not wish to change that part. Usually they live full time as the opposite gender.

3)Crossdresser, somebody that dresses as the opposite gender for whatever reasons and then goes back.

4) Pickle...me....Wants to change everything to not only be legally a female in the eyes of the law,  and pass 100%  from the waist down with srs and from the neck up. I feel FFS is more important and should be first before anything else. SRS is only a finishing touch in the end. Sort of the icing on the cake.

Now these are how I understand things and what I have always believed. I'm open for suggestions and being corrected though.

[katia]

AFFECTIONAL ORIENTATION: This is determined by whom we feel comfortable "hanging out with, whom we are close to in a primarily non-erotic way. Most people seem to have a "Bi-affectional orientation"with males and females, though as noted below, some theorize that, in actuality, there are more than simply two sexes.

BIOLOGICAL (sometimes referred to as CHROMOSOMAL) SEX: This can be considered as our "packaging and is determined by our chromosomes (XX for females, XY for males); our hormones (estrogen and progesterone for females, testosterone for males); and our internal and external genitalia (vulva, clitoris, vagina for females, penis and testicles for males). About 4% of the population can be defined as "intersexuals born with biological aspects of both sexes to varying degrees. Therefore, in actuality, there are more than two sexes.

CORE GENDER IDENTITY (or simply, GENDER IDENTITY): This is the individual,s innermost concept of self as "male or "female"what we perceive and call ourselves. Though the formation of gender identity is a complex process, it is thought that individuals develop this generally between the ages of 18 months and 3 years, though many current theories posit that this begins to be formed before birth. Most people develop a (core) gender identity aligning with their biological sex. For some, however, their gender identity is different from their biological sex.

CROSS-DRESSER (CD): Someone who on occasion wears what is currently considered the clothes of the other sex(es) to relieve gender discomfort. Cross-dressers want to appear as "convincing as possible as their other selves. A large subset of this group are men who enjoy dressing as women, and have otherwise ordinary marriages with wives who are not transgendered. Many say this term is preferable to transvestite, which means the same thing.

CROSS-LIVING: Living full-time in the preferred gender image, [other] than one,s assigned sex at birth, [sometimes] in preparation for a sex-change operation, [sometimes not].

DIRECTION: Which way one is crossing the gender line. MTF (see below) is one direction, FTM (see below) is [another].

DRAB: Means DRessed As Boy, referring to [what is currently considered as male] clothes or in [male,s] clothes, used mainly by gender benders and cross-dressers of both directions. Not used as frequently as the word drag.

DRAG: Originally used (1) in Shakespeare,s Globe Theater to mean DRessed As Girl, referring to male actors (there were no actresses) playing female roles. Now (2) mainly used by gender benders and cross-dressers of both directions to mean women,s clothes or in women,s clothes. Also (3) refers to any specialized type of clothing as in, "my father walked in in full military drag.

DRAG QUEEN: (1) A gay man who from time to time wears women,s clothes, generally without attempting to be "convincing. (2) Some people who are more accurately referred to as MTF cross-dressers or transsexuals [who] are sometimes called drag queens.

DRAG KING:

ESTROGEN: The "female sex hormone. Actually, both [males] and [females] have estrogen in their systems, [but] women have a great deal more of it. Estrogen can be administered in both pill and injection form.

FORMER TRANSSEXUAL: Some say that (1) once a transsexual has completed surgery, they are no longer transsexuals. (Contrast this with definition 2 of transsexual"see below.) A compromise view might be that a former transsexual is (2) one who has completed surgery, and no longer wants anything t do with the transsexual community.

FTM: (1) Female-To-Male [cross-dresser or transsexual]. (It is more [acceptable] to use the abbreviations rather than the complete phrase, except to explain it to someone who doesn't,t know what FTM stands for.) Also abbreviated as F2M, [or FtM]. FTM is also (2) the name of a group that is for FTM TS,s and TV,s.

GENDER BENDER: Anyone crossing the gender line who does not care about appearing "convincing. Example: a man wearing a dress, who looks like a man wearing a dress, and doesn't,t care if he does look like a man wearing a dress. Drag queens are the major group within this category.

GENDER COMMUNITY: The [transgender] community of all cross-dressers, transsexuals, and gender benders, and anywhere they meet.

GENDER DISCOMFORT: Like gender dysphoria (see below), but not quite that [severe]. Occasional cross-dressing often provides sufficient relief.

GENDER DYSPHORIA: Literally, it is being unhappy with the gender you are (physically anatomically, prior to changing anything). Full-blown gender dysphoria syndrome is the same as transsexualism.

GENDER IMAGE: The way one presents oneself to the world, as either male or female.

GENDER ROLE (sometimes called SEX ROLE): This is the set of socially-defined roles and behaviors assigned to females and males. This can vary from culture to culture. Our society recognizes basically two distinct gender roles. One is the masculine: having the qualities or characteristics attributed to males. The other is the feminine: having the qualities or characteristics attributed to females. (A third gender role, rarely, though possibly increasingly, condoned in our society, is androgyny combining assumed male (andro) and female (gyne) qualities.) Some people step out of their socially-assigned gender roles or "crossdress (wear the clothing traditionally reserved for the other sex). Though not universal or even precise, some of the terms used to identify these individuals include "transvestites (often heterosexual males and females who crossdress), "Drag Queens (male homosexuals who crossdress), "Drag Kings (female homosexuals who crossdress).

IN TRANSITION: (1) In the process of [sexual] transition (see below). (2) A synonym for pre-op (see below).

INTERSEX (or INTERSEXUAL): [Persons] born with the full or partial sex organs of [male and female], or with underdeveloped or ambiguous sex organs. About 4% of all births are intersex to some degree. (This word replaces the politically incorrect hermaphrodite.)

MTF: Male-To-Female, [cross-dresser or transsexuals]. (It is more [acceptable] to use the abbreviations rather than the complete phrase, except to explain it to someone who doesn't,t know what MTF stands for.) Also abbreviated as M2F, [or MtF].

NEW MAN: (1) Post-operative FTM transsexual. Also sometimes used to mean (2) and FTM transsexual who is well along in the transition process.

NEW WOMAN: (1) Post-operative MTF transsexual. First used in a 1952 newspaper article in reference to Christine Jorgensen. Also sometimes used to mean (2) an MTF transsexual who is well along in the transition process.


PASS: [This] means to be in [one,s] preferred gender image, and to be able to do so convincingly.

PASSING WOMAN: (1) Chiefly used in the historical sense to refer to a non-transgendered woman living as a man in order to have access to careers and lifestyles only available to men at that time. (2) Some historical figures who would today be more accurately called FTM transsexuals or transsexual men are sometimes referred as passing women.

POST-OP: Transsexuals who have had sex-change operation(s), and now have the physical anatomy they desire.

PRE-OP: Transsexuals who have not yet had their sex-change [reassignment] operation(s), but who are working towards it.

SEX-REASSIGNMENT SURGERY (SRS): Sex-change operation.

SEXUAL (or EROTIC) ORIENTATION: This is determined by whom we are sexually (or erotically) attracted"our sexual/erotic drives, desires, fantasies. Categories of sexual orientation include homosexuals"gay, lesbian"attracted to some members of the same sex; bisexuals, attracted to some members of both sexes to varying degrees; heterosexuals, attracted to some members of the other sex; and asexuals, attracted to neither sex. Some sexuality researchers suggest that pederasts (adults sexually/erotically attracted to children) might be considered a separate sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is believed to be influenced by a variety of factors including genetics and hormones, as well as unknown environmental factors. Though the origins of sexual orientation are not completely understood, it is generally believed to be established during early childhood, usually before the age of five.

SEXUAL BEHAVIOR: This is what we do sexually and with whom. Though we are not certain what influences determine a person,s primary sexual attractions (sexual orientation), our culture can heavily influence peoples, actions and sexual behaviors. For example, one may have a "homosexual orientation, but due to overriding condemnations against same-sex sexual expression, may "pass by having sex only with people of the other sex. Sexuality researcher Alfred C. Kinsey and his colleagues devised a seven-point scale to chart the full spectrum of human sexual behavior, with "0 representing those whose histories are exclusively heterosexual, and "6 for those who are exclusively homosexual in behavior. Others were placed along the scale depending on the percentage of heterosexual (other sex) or homosexual (same sex) sexual expression in relation to overall behavior. Kinsey,s findings and other studies also suggest that sexuality is indeed more fluid and complex than once believed.

SEXUAL IDENTITY: This is what we call ourselves. Such labels include "lesbian, "gay, "bisexual, "bi, "queer, "questioning, "undecided, "undetermined, "heterosexual, "straight, "asexual, and others. Sexual identity evolves through a multi-stage developmental process that has been charted by a number of researchers. This progression varies in intensity and duration depending on the individual. Our sexual behavior and how we define ourselves (our identity) can be chosen. Though some people claim their sexual orientation is also a choice, for others, this does not seem to be the case.

TESTOSTERONE: The "male sex hormone. Actually, males and females, [as well as intersexuals] have testosterone in their systems, [though] males just have a great deal more of it. Some testosterone is necessary to have a sex drive. Since it is destroyed by stomach acid [when taken in pill form], most supplemental testosterone is delivered via injections.

T-FRIENDLY: Any organization or institution that is accepting of transgendered peoples and their needs. Contrast with transphobic (see below).

TRANSGENDER (TG): Originally, this word meant (1) what are also known as full-time cross-dressers or nonsurgical transsexuals, people who live and work in the [other] (of their physical anatomical) [sex], continuously and for always. Now it also means (2) the group of all people who are inclined to cross the gender line, including transsexuals, cross-dressers, and gender benders together. This is the main way the word is used today, and is referred to as the "umbrella definition as it covers everyone. A few [people] use the word transgender as (3) a synonym for transsexual.

TRANSGENDERIST: Same as definition 1 of transgender (see above). Those who mean definition 1 of transgender now tend to use transgenderist to avoid confusion.

TRANSITION: The process of changing sex, including hormones, cross-living (see above), and finally surgery. A practical minimum for this process is about two years, but usually it takes longer, sometimes much longer.

TRANSPHOBIA/TRANSPHOBIC: The fear and hatred of cross-dressers, transsexuals, and gender benders and what they do [or are feared to do], and everything that results from this, from disrespect, to denial of rights and needs, to violence. Though some have defined this as an "irrational fear and hatred, in actuality, from the time most of us are young, people and institutions (parents/guardians, peers, teachers, clergy, the media, etc.) have taught us to conform to societal notions of "proper gender behavior, and to hold in contempt those who challenge or transgress these standards. Transphobia is indeed a form of oppression.

TRANSSEXUAL (TS): Anyone who (1) wants to have, (2) has had, or (3) should have a sex-change operation. (The third definition is for those in denial.) This word also includes (4) nonsurgical transsexuals (see above). TS,s want to appear "convincing as their new selves.

TRANSSEXUAL FEMALE/WOMAN: An MTF TS. The medical literature tends to use the extremely demeaning term male transsexual to mean the same thing. Note that one can usually tell the preferred form is in use when the gender word comes after the "T word.

TRANSSEXUAL MALE/MAN: An FTM TS. The medical literature tends to use the extremely demeaning term female transsexual to mean the same thing. Note that one can usually tell the preferred form is in use when the gender word comes after the "T word.

TRANSVESTITE (TV): Same as cross-dresser (see above). Most [people] feel that cross-dresser is the preferred term.

but since transsexualism is a medical condition governed by standards and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, why not follow the definitions already stated there?


http://mysite.verizon.net/res7oqx1/id13.html

[Susan]

I plan to base the definitions for transsexual and transvestite off the ICD-10 definitions. I feel that shouldn't be controversial. We may make some minor changes but I doubt they are substantial. What terms do you all feel need to be defined officially?

[Kate]

Transsexualism (F64.0)
has three criteria:

         1. The desire to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite sex, usually accompanied by the wish to make his or her body as congruent as possible with the preferred sex through surgery and hormone treatment;

I'm guessing that a number of people will never accept that usually qualifier... and we'll be right back in the catfights of categorizing people for what they DO, rather than who they ARE.

~Kate~

[Keira]

One of the problems is that how we define ourselves, or act, changes as we discover ourselves. Boxing people up when they are in that delicate early phase is detrimental to an unbiased exploration of their soul.

Some start out as cross-dressers and finish transitioning and getting SRS. Others think their a classical TS but later are more comfortable as identifying as androgynes. Some may first think non-op is enough, but later they want more and want the op; and vice versa.

Those that are further into the process are always better defined, in action and in their feeling about their identity. At that point, a self-opposed label, if its not too niche oriented, could tell others where we're coming from.

But, imposing such self-declaration is always delicate since if a particular opinion seems to be coming from a majority people with the same self-declared label, others may feel, rightly or wrongly, that their own point of view is less valid.

[tinkerbell]

DSM-IV

ICD-10



I concur with Keira on the fact that some people start discovering themselves as they go along their path.  However, IMO, someone who is just starting this journey and learning the definitions so to speak wouldn't be so naive as to automatically label themselves as transsexuals, would they?  Why? because supposedly that person is beginning to "test the waters" and is not really familiar with the connotations that certain terms carry.

Likewise, transsexualism is a very identifiable syndrome.  There are several criteria that need to be met for a diagnosis.  As in any other medical condition, if the criteria for diagnosis is not met, it either means one of two things, the patient requires futher testing, or he/she simply doesn't suffer from such condition.

Now regarding the Standard terms and definitions, it is my understanding that gender therapists/psychiatrists worlwide are more familiar with the ICD-10 than they are with the DSM-IV.

What terms do you all feel need to be defined officially?

IMO, the terms that need to be thoroughly and officially defined are:  Gender identity, transsexualism, transsexual, pre-op transsexual, post-op transsexual, non-op transsexual, transgenderist, transgender, transvestite, crossdresser, fetish, sexual fetishism, paraphilia, medical condition, syndrome, full-time, RLE, DSM-IV, HBSOC, and ICD-10.


tink

[Hazumu]

Hasn't HBIGDA changed to WPATH? 

Karen

[Kara]

I agree. I think that labels only hold value to those who already identify with them. They reassure those people. They give structure to feelings that for the most part, have already been figured out. Now, to someone like me, who has read countless books on Transgender issues when coming to terms with myself, would not want to be called a TV and would even hate myself for it. Why? Because unlike any of the definitions of it mentioned on this extremely inclusive site, Everywhere thing else that I have read, some even written by other TS, list them as those who dress and act for sexual Gratification. Regardless of the good intentions behind the labels. I believe that a condition based so deeply in theory does not benefit from stone walls. I was not even able to recognise my feelings untill 20. Not able to look at my past and put 2 and 2 together untill 24. There are some that did that even later. There are many who supposedly do it as toddlers. I have read that many doctors base their diagnosises on the age of onset. They can't even tell us what causes it, yet can throw labels like nobody's buisness.

Like I said before. Different degrees of TS, I can understand but I do not think that telling someone their feelings is fair or constructive.

I am fine btw. This is not about me. I like this place. Just thinking about those less sure of themselves.

[Terri Gene]

Heh, it's all pretty funny really.  We are what we are and thats all we are.  Heck, if it pleases you just call me anything that pleases you and as long as your smiling, I'm happy.  It's all in how I live and work that says it all without any doubt in anyones mind about who or what I am.

So much for a bunch of nonsense from those that wanna make a big deal out of someone else's personal comfort zone.

Terri

[Fer]

In my experience people tend to think of transvestites, transsexuals and crossdressers as a small minority or men who dress as or live as women. Often we are looked upon as freaks or perverts or weirdos. Half the people I speak to have never met and spoken to a trans-woman before.  I am also very tired of people calling me something that I am not just because I happen to dress in the attire that is appropriate for my gender identification.  Susan, I entirely support your decision on this matter.

Transvestite
Someone who comfortably presents both male and female gender identities. They often are out in public as a woman but their male and female social lives may be entirely separate and they may not allow people to know their two identities.
Cross-dresser
A Cross-Dresser is someone who usually presents a male gender but dresses in female clothing occasionally mostly at home but seldom if ever goes out in public cross dressed. Cross dressing is the act of wearing clothing normally associated with the gender opposite to that suggested by the physical body.
Transgender
Someone living or planning to live presenting a gender opposite to their birth gender but not committed to using either chemicals or surgery to change their bodies permanantly. This term is also often used as an umbrella term to describe all gender diverse people.
Transsexual
Someone who presents or plans to present a gender opposite to their birth gender and undergo hormone and surgical treatment to alter their body to match their gender identity. After undergoing Gender Reassignment Surgery they may consider themselves to be a woman or man and no longer transsexual.
Trans Woman
An umbrella term to describe someone who is somewhere on a continuum between male and female and presenting a female gender some or all of the time.
Trans Man
An umbrella term to describe someone who is somewhere on a continuum between female and male and presenting a male gender some or all of the time.
Gender Identity
This describes the gender with which a person identifies - an inner sense of being male or female. This differres from the psychologists view gender identity as the percieved gender based on appearance and role.

Who coined all these terms?

These terms were coined mostly by gender specialists, mental professionals, medical doctors, experts in the treatment of GID.  but some of these terms were also introduced by the same members of our own community.

And, more importantly, why?

For the same reasons that the terms; gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, asexual, Asian, African-american, poor, rich, ...were created

[Jeannette]

The admin staff are working on definitions of common transgender terms. We will define them for you. We did not want to do this, but we are getting tired of listening to the users of this site's quibbling over the meanings of common(sense) definitions. If the users of this site want to be led about by the hand, then by all means lets do it. We are not defining or labeling you, only what the meanings of these terms are for the community on this web site.

Main Entry: quib·ble
Pronunciation: 'kwi-b&l
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): quib·bled; quib·bling  /-b(&-)li[ng]/
intransitive verb
1 : to evade the point of an argument by caviling about words
2 a : CAVIL, CARP b : BICKER
transitive verb : to subject to quibbles
- quib·bler  /-b(&-)l&r/ noun

Note: for those of you worried that we are going to make this site less inclusive you can all relax. This site is how it will always be. Minus the sniping and bickering

What a marvelous and clever idea, Susan!  Kuddos to you and your website.

[Kate]

I've watched That Group of people here for so long, getting away with murder... all the "rolls eyes" emoticons, *laugh* at people, finding clever ways to skirt the rules and *imply* people aren't women or TSs, demeaning anyone who threatens their sense of victimhood. Now I watch them laughing to themselves at how easy it all was.

This will just legitimize their crusade.

~Kate~

[Jeannette]

Did anyone mention "agenda"?  ah yes, Susan did.

[Seshatneferw]

This will just legitimize their crusade.

I'm not so sure. First, Susan has said that the current plan is to base the definitions on ICD-10, and the criteria there are not nearly as strict as what has been written here on occasion. I'm confident there will be some common sense included in our terminology.

Second, while compiling Lexicon of Gender Dysphoria Terms Used at Susan's is guaranteed to be hard, it is not the end -- getting all of us to actually use those terms like they are defined will be even harder. I'm not advocating civil disobedience, mind you; this is just an observation based on the challenges language planning and the like face in the outside world.

I may be cynical, but I don't think this project will end the rows we have over the terms. It looks like it may have stopped the most recent one, though. That in itself is a definite plus.

  Nfr

[katia]

i'm sorry kate.  i don't intend to turn this thread into a personal debate between you and i, but..

I've watched That Group of people here for so long, getting away with murder... all the "rolls eyes" emoticons, *laugh* at people, finding clever ways to skirt the rules and *imply* people aren't women or TSs, demeaning anyone who threatens their sense of victimhood. Now I watch them laughing to themselves at how easy it all was.

This will just legitimize their crusade.

~Kate~

that group of people? them? themselves?  victimhood?
their?

it'd appear that you're excluding yourself, or at the very least, making a distinction here, yes?  just trying to understand..

[Susan]

I've watched That Group of people here for so long, getting away with murder... all the "rolls eyes" emoticons, *laugh* at people, finding clever ways to skirt the rules and *imply* people aren't women or TSs, demeaning anyone who threatens their sense of victimhood. Now I watch them laughing to themselves at how easy it all was.

This will just legitimize their crusade.

~Kate~

Kate, feel free to pm me about that group of people. Far from legimatizing the actions you describe, this will stop them from doing exactly that, or I will.

[Hypatia]

Reading the various collections of definitions etc., I have learned:

--By one definition, you're transsexual only after the surgery.
--By another definition, you're transsexual only before the surgery.

Oy vey. My head hurts.