Trans glossary

The language used in relation to transgender issues evolves continuously, and reflects the changing position and perspectives of trans people in society.

Its use can be highly individualised. It is important to be mindful of these changes as some trans people may use terms that others perceive as inappropriate.

This glossary covers terms that we use in our policies and guidance, and the definitions we use.

AFAB

Assigned Female At Birth.

Agender

A person who does not identify with any gender identity.

AMAB

Assigned Male At Birth.

Aromantic (aro)

An umbrella term used specifically to describe a lack of, varying, or occasional experiences of romantic attraction.

ASAB

Assigned Sex At Birth.

Asexual (ace)

An umbrella term used specifically to describe a lack of, varying, or occasional experiences of sexual attraction.

Biological sex

A term often used to describe people's physical sex characteristics. Biological sex is made up of hormones (primarily but not exclusively testosterone and estrogen), chromosomes, primary sex characteristics (i.e. those apparent at birth, divided into internal sex organs [e.g. prostate, womb] and external sex organs [e.g. genitals]) and secondary sex characteristics (those brought about during puberty, e.g. breasts, public hair, changing vocal pitch).

Bisexual (bi)

Bisexual is an umbrella term used to describe a romantic and/or sexual orientation towards more than one gender.

Bottom surgery

Gender affirming surgery on the genitals.

Cisgender or Cis

Someone whose gender identity is the same as the sex they were assigned at birth. Non-trans is also used by some people.

Coming Out

When a person first tells someone/others about identifying with the LGBTQ+ Community. Sometimes stated as "coming out of the closet".

Conversion therapy

A range of practices, often subjecting people to significant physical and psychological harm, with the intention of 'curing' a person's sexuality or gender identity. These practices are often considered to amount to torture.

Deadnaming

Calling someone by their birth name or a previous chosen name after they have changed their name. This term is often associated with trans people who have changed their name as part of their transition. This can constitute transphobic behaviour if it happens repeatedly and/or deliberately.

Deed poll

A deed poll is a legal document that proves a change of name. You can change any part of your name, add or remove names and hyphens, or change spelling.

Gender

Gender refers to the cultural and social distinctions between people. It consists of 3 related aspects: a society's constructed gender roles, norms and behaviours which are typically aligns with the sex assigned at birth; gender identity, which is a person's internal perception of their identity; gender expression, which is the way a person lives in society and interacts with others. Gender does not necessarily represent a binary: some people have a gender identity that cannot be defined simply by the use of the terms woman or man.

Gender critical

Gender-critical is a term used to describe a belief system that priorities biological sex over gender identity. It is a protected belief under the Equality Act, 2010.

Gender dysphoria

Used to describe when a person experiences discomfort or distress due to a incongruence between a person's perception of self and their perceived gender identity. This is also the current clinical diagnosis for someone who doesn't feel comfortable with the sex they were assigned at birth. (Stonewall)

Gender euphoria

Used to capture feelings of joy and contentment between a person and their gender identity. This is often brought about through authentic gender expression and recognition of someone's gender. This can be experienced by anyone regardless of whether they are trans or cis.

Gender expression/presentation

How a person chooses to outwardly express their gender, typically within the context of societal expectations of gender. A person who does not conform to societal expectations of gender may not, however, identify as trans.

Genderfluid

A person who fluctuates between or outside of the gender binary and is not a fixed gender. It can change over time or from day to day.

Gender identity

A person’s innate sense of their own gender, whether man, woman or a gender identity outside of the binary, which may or may not correspond to the sex assigned at birth.

GIC (Gender Identity Clinic)

The specialist service where trans people 18 and over go to receive or be referred for gender affirming care.

GIDS (Gender Identity Development Services)

The specialist service where trans people up to the age of 17 go to receive or be referred for gender affirming care.

Gender ideology

The theory that gender is more expansive than the gender binary or assigned sex and trans people should be supported by society. 

Gender non-conformity

See 'gender variance'.

Gender reassignment

Another way of describing a person’s transition. To undergo gender reassignment usually means to undergo some sort of medical intervention, but it can also mean changing names, pronouns, dressing differently and living in their self-identified gender. Gender reassignment is a Protected Characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, and it is further interpreted in the Equality Act 2010 approved code of practice. It is a term of much contention and is one that Stonewall's Trans Advisory Group feels should be reviewed.

GRA (Gender Recognition Act 2004)

The Gender Recognition Act (GRA) is the law which sets out how trans people in the UK may legally change their sex and obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). (TransActual)

Gender recognition certificate (GRC)

This enables trans people to be legally recognised in their affirmed gender and to be issued with a new birth certificate. Not all trans people will apply for a GRC and you currently have to be over 18 to apply. You do not need a GRC to change your gender markers at work or to legally change your gender on other documents such as your passport. The only things someone will need a GRC for are to be recorded on UK birth, marriage, and death certificates and with HMRC as the correct gender.

Gender variance

Gender variance, also referred to as gender non-conformity, is gender expression that does not match socially constructed gender norms for men and women. For example, someone who identifies as a man who dresses in a feminine manner. 

Gillick Competence

A term used in medical law to decide whether a child under 16 years of age is able to consent to their own medical treatment, without the need for parental permission or knowledge. (Stonewall)

HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)

Treatment used when one's body is unable to produce a sufficient amount of hormones itself to maintain normal function. This is commonly used to treat cisgender women during the menopause, cisgender men after testes have been removed and transgender people to induce puberty changes in line with their gender identity, among other uses.

Intersex

An umbrella term used for people who are born with variation of sex characteristics, who do not always fit society’s perception of male or female bodies. Intersex is not the same as gender identity or sexual orientation. Intersex people may identify as any gender, and are not inherently transgender.

Legal sex

The gender that somebody is legally documented as, for example, M or F on birth certificates and passports. Everyone has to be recorded with a legal sex, which is usually determined by people's genitals at birth, regardless of how their other sex characteristics may differ. Some countries now allow non-binary legal sex recognition, for example X on birth certificates and passports.

Misgendering

Referring to a person by the incorrect pronouns or gendered terms. Like deadnaming, this can constitute transphobic behaviour if it happens repeatedly and/or deliberately.

Non-binary

An umbrella term for a person who has a gender identity that exists outside of the gender binary, fluctuates between the gender binary, or who has no gender, either permanently or some of the time. A person who identifies as non-binary may or may not identify as transgender. Non-binary people may be protected under the discrimination by perception provisions of the Equality Act 2010.

Outing

When a person's gender, sexual or romantic identity is shared without their consent to someone who was previously unaware. This constitutes a hate crime and can put people in very unsafe positions.

Pansexual

Refers to a person whose romantic and/or sexual attraction towards others is not limited by sex or gender.

Passing

Being perceived by others as a particular identity/gender or cisgender regardless how the individual in question identifies, for example, passing as straight, passing as a cis woman, passing as a youth. This term has become controversial as ‘passing’ can imply that one is not genuinely what they are passing as.

Pronoun

Most people use pronouns, but some people do not. Pronouns are words we use to refer to people in place of their name, which may or may not make reference to their gender, for example, ‘he’ or ‘she’. Some people may prefer others to refer to them in gender neutral language and use pronouns such as they/them and ze/zir. People may wish to include pronouns in email signatures or when introducing themselves so that people know how to refer to them and to demonstrate a welcoming environment for transgender people.

Queer

Queer is a term used by those wanting to reject specific labels of romantic orientation, sexual orientation and/or gender identity. It can also be a way of rejecting the perceived norms of the LGBT community (racism, sizeism, ableism and so on). Although some LGBT people view the word as a slur, it was reclaimed in the late eighties by the queer community who have embraced it. Queer may also be used as an umbrella term for the LGBT+ community. Queer can also mean someone whose LGBT+ identity is part of their political identity, who actively involves themselves in LGBT+ politics. Queer is a slur when used in a derogatory manner. There is a difference between saying 'Queer community' (positive) and 'A Queer' (negative).

Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)

A proposed condition often used by gender criticals to dismiss the reality of gender dysphoria in adolescents, suggesting that it comes about as a result of exposure to trans people in the media and at school (a similar line of thought to 'social contagion'). It has largely been discredited by social and medical scientists.

Sex

A social category assigned to a person on the basis of primary sex characteristics (genitalia) and reproductive functions.

Statutory declaration

A formal statement declaring that information given is to the best knowledge of the person giving it. These are required by trans people wishing to apply for a GRC.

Top surgery

Gender affirming surgery entailing the removal or resizing of a person's chest.

Trans

An umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) transgender, non-binary and genderqueer. Transgender man is a term used to describe someone who was assigned female at birth but identifies as a man. This may be shortened to trans man. Transgender woman is a term used to describe someone who was assigned male at birth but identifies as a woman. This may be shortened to trans woman.

Transfeminine

Often shortened to transfemme, a person who identifies with feminine gender expression or identity but was assigned male at birth.

Transitioning

Transitioning is a term used to describe the process and steps an individual takes in order to live in the gender they identify as. Transitioning is a unique process for each individual and may include any number of changes to a person's life. It can be social and/or medical, and it can take several years. People do not need to transition in order to be trans.

Transmasculine

Often shortened to transmasc, a person who identifies with masculine gender expression or identity but was assigned female at birth.

Transphobia 

A term relating to prejudice used to describe the fear, anger, intolerance, resentment and discomfort that some people may have as a result of another person being trans. This can result in discrimination, harassment, victimisation and hate crime.

Most definitions have been taken from the Stonewall Glossary of terms. The definition of the term ‘Passing’ has been taken from Trans Student Educational Resources. The definitions of the terms ‘Gender’, ‘Gender variance’, ‘Intersex’, ‘Non-binary’, ‘Transitioning’ and ‘Transphobia’ have been taken from the Equality Challenge Unit’s guidance ‘Trans staff and students in HE and colleges: improving experiences’. Please log in with a YSJ email address.