Transgender is an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth. Gender identity refers to a person’s internal sense of being male, female or something else; gender expression refers to the way a person communicates gender identity to others through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, voice or body characteristics.
“Trans” is sometimes used as shorthand for “transgender.” While transgender is generally a good term to use, not everyone whose appearance or behavior is gender-nonconforming will identify as a transgender person.
What is the difference between sex and gender?
Sex is assigned at birth, refers to one’s biological status as either male or female, and is associated primarily with physical attributes such as chromosomes, hormone prevalence, and external and internal anatomy.
Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for boys and men or girls and women. These influence the ways that people act, interact, and feel about themselves. While aspects of biological sex are similar across different cultures, aspects of gender may differ.
Various conditions that lead to atypical development of physical sex characteristics are collectively referred to as intersex conditions.
The transgender umbrella
Many identities fall under the transgender umbrella. The term transgender refers to people whose gender identity is different from their assigned sex. Often, transgender people alter or wish to alter their bodies through hormones, surgery, and other means to make their bodies as congruent as possible with their gender identities. This process of transition through medical intervention is often referred to as sex or gender reassignment, but more recently is also referred to as gender affirmation.
People who cross-dress wear clothing that is traditionally or stereotypically worn by another gender in their culture. They vary in how completely they cross-dress, from one article of clothing to fully cross-dressing. Those who cross-dress are usually comfortable with their assigned sex and do not wish to change it. Cross-dressing is a form of gender expression and is not necessarily tied to erotic activity. Cross-dressing is not indicative of sexual orientation.
Transgender people experience their transgender identity in a variety of ways and may become aware of their transgender identity at any age.
Genderqueer is a term that some people use who identify their gender as falling outside the binary constructs of “male” and “female.” They may define their gender as falling somewhere on a continuum between male and female, or they may define it as wholly different from these terms. They may also request that pronouns be used to refer to them that are neither masculine nor feminine, such as “zie” instead of “he” or “she,” or “hir” instead of “his” or “her.” Some genderqueer people do not identify as transgender.
Other categories of transgender people include androgynous, multigendered, gender nonconforming, third gender, and two-spirit people. Exact definitions of these terms vary from person to person and may change over time, but often include a sense of blending or alternating genders. Some people who use these terms to describe themselves see traditional, binary concepts of gender as restrictive.
What is the relationship between gender identity and sexual orientation?
Gender identity and sexual orientation are not the same. Sexual orientation refers to an individual’s enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to another person, whereas gender identity refers to one’s internal sense of being male, female, or something else. Transgender people may be straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or asexual, just as nontransgender people can be.
How does someone know that they are transgender?
Transgender people experience their transgender identity in a variety of ways and may become aware of their transgender identity at any age. Some can trace their transgender identities and feelings back to their earliest memories. They may have vague feelings of “not fitting in” with people of their assigned sex or specific wishes to be something other than their assigned sex. Others become aware of their transgender identities or begin to explore and experience gender-nonconforming attitudes and behaviors during adolescence or much later in life.
Interested in learning more about supporting your gender noncomforming child? Check out this podcast to learn about gender diversity terms and when to use them, how to support your child’s natural gender exploration, and resources to support their journey.
What should parents do if their child appears to be transgender or gender nonconforming?
Parents may be concerned about a child who appears to be gender-nonconforming for a variety of reasons. Some children express a great deal of distress about their assigned sex at birth or the gender roles they are expected to follow. Some children experience difficult social interactions with peers and adults because of their gender expression. Parents may become concerned when what they believed to be a “phase” does not pass. Parents of gender-nonconforming children may need to work with schools and other institutions to address their children’s particular needs and ensure their children’s safety.
It is helpful to consult with mental health and medical professionals familiar with gender issues in children to decide how to best address these concerns. It is not helpful to force the child to act in a more gender-conforming way. Peer support from other parents of gender-nonconforming children may also be helpful.
How can I be supportive of transgender family members, friends, or significant others?
- Educate yourself about transgender issues by reading books, attending conferences, and consulting with transgender experts. Be aware of your attitudes concerning people with gender-nonconforming appearance or behavior.
- Know that transgender people have membership in various sociocultural identity groups (e.g., race, social class, religion, age, disability, etc.) and there is not one universal way to look or be transgender.
- Use names and pronouns that are appropriate to the person’s gender presentation and identity; if in doubt, ask.
- Don’t make assumptions about transgender people’s sexual orientation, desire for hormonal or medical treatment, or other aspects of their identity or transition plans. If you have a reason to know (e.g., you are a physician conducting a necessary physical exam or you are a person who is interested in dating someone that you’ve learned is transgender), ask.
- Don’t confuse gender nonconformity with being transgender. Not all people who appear androgynous or gender nonconforming identify as transgender or desire gender affirmation treatment.
- Keep the lines of communication open with the transgender person in your life.
- Get support in processing your own reactions. It can take some time to adjust to seeing someone you know well transitioning. Having someone close to you transition will be an adjustment and can be challenging, especially for partners, parents, and children.
- Seek support in dealing with your feelings. You are not alone. Mental health professionals and support groups for family, friends, and significant others of transgender people can be useful resources.
- Advocate for transgender rights, including social and economic justice and appropriate psychological care.Familiarize yourself with the local and state or provincial laws that protect transgender people from discrimination.
Where can I find more information about transgender health, advocacy and human rights?
- American Psychological Association
Office on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
Programs and Projects
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Email - Children’s National Medical Center
Gender and Sexuality Advocacy and Education
111 Michigan Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 476-4172 - Family Acceptance Project
San Francisco State University
3004 16th Street, #301
San Francisco, CA 94103
Email - FTMInternational
(FTM means Female-to-Male)
601 Van Ness Ave., Suite E327
San Francisco, CA 94102
(877) 267-1440
Email - Gender Spectrum
(510) 788-4412
Email - National Center for Transgender Equality
1325 Massachusetts Ave., Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 903-0112
(202) 393-2241 (fax)
Email - Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Transgender Network (TNET)
PFLAG National Office
1828 L Street, NW, Suite 660
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 467-8180
Email - Sylvia Rivera Law Project
147 W. 24th Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10011
(212) 337-8550
(212) 337-1972 (Fax)
Email - Transgender Law Center
870 Market Street Room 400
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 865-0176
Email - TransYouth Family Allies
P.O. Box1471
Holland, MI 49422-1471
(888) 462-8932 - World Professional Association for Transgender Health
Email
Excerpted from “Understanding transgender people, gender identity and gender expression” from the American Psychological Association (APA). Read the full article online. A PDF version is available in the following languages:
Source: APA | Understanding transgender people, gender identity and gender expression, https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/transgender-people-gender-identity-gender-expression | © 2025 American Psychological Association
