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.

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 their identity as lesbian, gay, bi or trans.

Deadnaming

Calling someone by their birth 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.

Gender

Gender refers to the cultural and social distinctions between men and women. It consists of three related aspects: a society’s constructed gender roles, norms and behaviours which are essentially based on 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 simple binary choice: some people have a gender identity that cannot be defined simply by the use of the terms woman or man.

Gender expression/presentation

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

Gender identity

A person’s innate sense of their own gender, whether male, female or something else (see non-binary below), which may or may not correspond to the sex assigned at birth.

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 characteristic that is protected by 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.

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.

Gender variance

Gender variance, also referred to as gender non-conformity, is behaviour or gender expression that does not match socially constructed gender norms for men and women. E.g. someone who identifies as a man but dresses as a woman.

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 male, female or non-binary.

Non-binary

An umbrella term for a person who has a gender identity which is in between or beyond the two categories ‘man’ and ‘woman’, fluctuates between ‘man’ and woman’, or who has no gender, either permanently or some of the time. Non-binary people may be protected under the discrimination by perception provisions of the Equality Act 2010.

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

Words we use to refer to people’s gender in conversation - for example, ‘he’ or ‘she’. Some people may prefer others to refer to them in gender neutral language and use pronouns such as they/their and ze/zir.

Sex

Assigned to a person on the basis of primary sex characteristics (genitalia) and reproductive functions.

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 gender queer. 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.

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.

Transphobia 

A term 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.