Transgender: A term for people whose gender identity, expression or behavior is different from those typically associated with their assigned sex at birth. Transgender is a broad term and is good for non-transgender people to use. "Trans" is shorthand for "transgender." (Note: Transgender is correctly used as an adjective, not a noun, thus "transgender people" is appropriate but "transgenders" is often viewed as disrespectful.) [NTCE]
Transgender (adj.): An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from what is typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth. People under the transgender umbrella may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms - including transgender. Some of those terms are defined below. Use the descriptive term preferred by the individual. Many transgender people are prescribed hormones by their doctors to change their bodies. Some undergo surgery as well. But not all transgender people can or will take those steps, and a transgender identity is not dependent upon medical procedures. [GLAAD]
Transgender: An umbrella term for people whose gender identity, expression, or behavior falls outside cultural norms associated with their assigned sex. Include drag queens/kings, crossdressers, genderqueer, genderfluid, and transsexuals. [Mine]
Now look at this article in VOX,
But that it seems is how the media is using the word. They are focusing on just one small part of the umbrella and they don’t understand that the word means so much more than identity, it also means expression and behavior. The media doesn’t like complex issues and they like to make it simple… transgender = “It's a permanent identity that follows people throughout their entire lives.” Ah I got it! They don’t realize that the word has a broader meaning.
In a way I am part of that myth, when we were trying to pass the anti-discrimination bill it was easier to let them believe that the bill only covered transsexuals because of the worry that if the legislators knew that transgender also covered crossdressers and drag queens and kings it would be harder to pass the bill.
In Connecticut we made sure that the bill was broad enough to cover anyone who crossed the gender norms.
But now the media is morphing the word to just mean transsexual and we have to fight to make sure that transgender continues to be an umbrella term; otherwise the conservatives win by dividing the community. Just look at the OSHA guidelines, “A Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers” if we let the narrow definition stand crossdressers will be locked out of the bathroom of their gender expression.
Transgender (adj.): An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from what is typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth. People under the transgender umbrella may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms - including transgender. Some of those terms are defined below. Use the descriptive term preferred by the individual. Many transgender people are prescribed hormones by their doctors to change their bodies. Some undergo surgery as well. But not all transgender people can or will take those steps, and a transgender identity is not dependent upon medical procedures. [GLAAD]
Transgender: An umbrella term for people whose gender identity, expression, or behavior falls outside cultural norms associated with their assigned sex. Include drag queens/kings, crossdressers, genderqueer, genderfluid, and transsexuals. [Mine]
Now look at this article in VOX,
Myth #9: Drag queens and kings are transgenderI believe that this is wrong.
[…]
LGBTQ group GLAAD explained: "Transgender women are not cross-dressers or drag queens. Drag queens are men, typically gay men, who dress like women for the purpose of entertainment. Be aware of the differences between transgender women, cross-dressers, and drag queens. Use the term preferred by the individual."
This distinction is very important to LGBTQ and trans advocates because it helps show the permanence of someone's trans identity.
Being trans isn't a matter of dressing up in different clothes. It's a permanent identity that follows people throughout their entire lives. And while some trans people enjoy dressing up in exotic outfits to entertain others, the act of dressing up in clothes that match one's gender identity reflects only one part of what it means to be trans.
Similarly, being a cross-dresser or drag queen or king doesn't mean that people identify with a gender different from the one they were assigned at birth. Some drag queens or kings may even be straight and cisgender — meaning they identify with the gender assigned to them at birth — and are only dressing up for entertainment. What cross-dressing means can vary a lot from individual to individual.
But that it seems is how the media is using the word. They are focusing on just one small part of the umbrella and they don’t understand that the word means so much more than identity, it also means expression and behavior. The media doesn’t like complex issues and they like to make it simple… transgender = “It's a permanent identity that follows people throughout their entire lives.” Ah I got it! They don’t realize that the word has a broader meaning.
In a way I am part of that myth, when we were trying to pass the anti-discrimination bill it was easier to let them believe that the bill only covered transsexuals because of the worry that if the legislators knew that transgender also covered crossdressers and drag queens and kings it would be harder to pass the bill.
In Connecticut we made sure that the bill was broad enough to cover anyone who crossed the gender norms.
(21) "Gender identity or expression" means a person's gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth, which gender-related identity can be shown by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the gender-related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity or any other evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held, part of a person's core identity or not being asserted for an improper purpose.Notice that the law says, “a person's gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior” and that it doesn’t say anything about having to have medical treatment but it says “…consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity or any other evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held, part of a person's core identity…” A crossdresser or a drag queen shows a “consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity” just by crossdressing or their drag performance.
But now the media is morphing the word to just mean transsexual and we have to fight to make sure that transgender continues to be an umbrella term; otherwise the conservatives win by dividing the community. Just look at the OSHA guidelines, “A Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers” if we let the narrow definition stand crossdressers will be locked out of the bathroom of their gender expression.
Thank you for posting this. I learned and used the terms correctly when my wife came out two years ago, but have forgotten about the umbrella-ness over time as well. Language has shifted not only in the media, but also in our social community. This is a good reminder.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
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