What does transgender mean? The term transgender is an umbrella term that is used to describe a broad range of people who experience or express their gender differently from cultural expectations. Transgender can include those who are transsexual, genderqueer, cross dressers, drag kings and queens, two-spirits, and intersexed. Also, some people use the term transgender to identify themselves because they aren't comfortable identifying as exclusively male or female. Some transgender people define themselves as female-to-male (FTM) or male-to-female (MTF) transsexuals, and may take hormones prescribed by a doctor and/or undergo medical procedures, including sex reassignment surgery. Others prefer to simply be called male or female — the gender that they present to others, whether or not they have undergone medical changes. When do people identify as transgender? According to Brill and Pepper, in The Transgender Child, and Lev’s Transgender Emergence, children identify as early as 3-4 years old. This makes it clear that this is and identity rather than sexuality issue. Generally male-to-female identifying children identify earlier than female-to-male. This is though to be due to social issues. Girls can wear male clothing with little impact, but the reverse is not well received socially. Additionally, girls form social cliques earlier than boys. For further questions about childhood transgender see www.imatyfa.org What is the difference between transsexual and transgender? The term transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity or gender expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. The term may include but is not limited to: transsexuals, crossdressers, and other gender variant people. Transsexual is an older term which originated in the medical and psychological communities. Some transsexual people still prefer to use the term to describe themselves. However, unlike transgender, transsexual is not an umbrella term, and many transgender people do not identify as transsexual. It is best to ask which term an individual prefers. What does gender variant mean? Gender variant is an umbrella term that is applied to a variety of people whose behavior and identity diverges from the normative gender roles of society. In various cultures across the world, these traditional gender roles are usually assigned at birth and reinforced through societal customs. What is Identified and Assigned sex? Assigned sex is the sex assigned at birth, usually based on genital form alone. Identified sex is the sex one knows that one is. What is cissexual or cisgender? Cissexual and cisgender are terms for someone whose identified and assigned sex/gender match. Cis- and Trans- are Latin and Cis- means “on the same side of” and Trans- means “on the other side of”. What do the terms transman and transwoman mean? The term transman refers to individuals who were labeled female at birth, but more properly identify as being male or masculine. Often these men transition into a male role in society which could involve: changing of legal name, dress, hair style, testosterone therapy, and surgeries. Some transmen also refer to themselves as FTM, but that is not always the case. The term transwoman refers to individuals who were labeled male at birth, but identify as being female or feminine. Often these women transition into a female role in society through a process that may involve: changing of legal name, dress, hair style, estrogen therapy, and surgeries. Some transwomen also refer to themselves at MTF, but that is not always the case. What is transition? The term transition refers to the social and biological processes of changing one’s social gender or physical sex. It is a complex process that takes place over a long period of time, often years. Transition includes some or all of the following adjustments: telling one's family, friends, and/or co-workers (coming out); changing one's name and/or sex on legal documents; hormone therapy; and possibly some form of chest and/or genital surgery. Why would anyone transition, anyway? The term ‘transition’ refers to the social and physical processes that some transgender people undergo to fully express who they are. Such people are often referred to as “transsexuals”. Transsexuals are people who, despite having a physical body labeled as one sex, identify with or consider themselves to be members of the “opposite” sex. For many transsexuals, having to live in a body or social role of the “wrong” sex is deeply painful and devastating for them. Since the 1950’s, physicians have provided hormone therapy and surgery to transsexuals, and to this day these medical interventions are considered the only treatments that provide transsexuals relief. The process of transition often involves taking on a new mode of dress, social roles, undergoing supportive therapy, cross-sex hormonal therapy, and surgery. Someone undertaking such a path needs support and love to bolster them during this journey and time of change. Isn’t it wrong to change your body? For a transsexual to utilize hormones and surgery in order to feel relief and be able to more fully function in society is no more wrong than the medical treatment of other conditions. Would you shame a woman with diabetes for depending on insulin to live? Would you call a man evil for treating his depression with psychiatric medication and therapy? Would you shun a member of your congregation who depends on a wheel chair, crutches, or a prosthetic leg to move? We certainly hope not! We are not called to judge transsexuals as evil or outcast, but to welcome them to Christ in fellowship and love. Well, God doesn’t make mistakes, so it’s wrong for you to transition! This argument is flawed, because it seeks to deny the existence of transsexuals by saying that God’s creation doesn’t include them. This is similar to arguing that people with depression, diabetes, or spina bifida don’t exist because God wouldn’t create them. But clearly God does create people with all sorts of acute and chronic illnesses as part of God's good creation. As stewards of God's creation we are called to treat one another with love and compassion, which includes humane treatment of the disabled and ill. Humane and loving treatment of a fellow human being living with diabetes would not be denying the existence of their illness, but helping them find a good doctor or take their medications. In other words, the issue is not whether or not transsexuals are “real”, as whether or not we accept transsexuals as fellow human beings who deserve our compassion and acceptance. What is Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS)? This term is one of many that have been used for genital surgical alteration, and is only one small part of transition (see Transition above). The term SRS is not actually preferred because the person’s sex is not actually changed. Another term that is inaccurate for the same reason is Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS) because the individual’s gender does not change. Two terms that are currently acceptable are Gender Confirmation Surgery (GCS) and Genital Reassignment or Reconstruction Surgery. GCS is valid because the surgery makes the individuals body match their identified gender (as opposed to assigned gender). Genital Reassignment or Reconstruction Surgery is valid because the genitals are being adjusted to match the individual’s identified sex. People who are not transgender, particularly journalists, should avoid overemphasizing the importance of SRS to the transition process. To occasionally wear clothes traditionally associated with people of the other sex. Cross-dressers are usually comfortable with the sex they were assigned at birth and do not wish to change it. "Cross-dresser" should NOT be used to describe someone who has transitioned to live full-time as the other sex, or who intends to do so in the future. Cross-dressing is a form of gender expression and is not necessarily tied to erotic or sexual activity. Cross-dressing is not indicative of sexual orientation. What is a Transvestite? This is an out-dated term that used to imply one who cross dresses. The term cross-dresser (CD) is now more appropriate to use. What is gender queer? The term gender queer usually refers to a person whose gender identity is other than "man/masculine" or "woman/feminine," or as neither, both, or some combination of masculine or feminine. In the ways that gay, lesbian, or bisexual people “queer” (differs from) the norms of sexual identity, gender queers differ from the binaried genders (the two options of male or female) that make up our current societies. What is Gender Identity Disorder (GID)? A controversial DSM-IV diagnosis given to transgender and other gender-variant people. Because it labels transgender people as "disordered," some consider the term and concept of GID to be offensive. GID is also controversial because it is a diagnosis that has been given to children who don't conform to expected gender norms in terms of dress, play or behavior. Such children are often subjected to intense psychotherapy, behavior modification and/or institutionalization. However, there are also some transgender people who support the concept of GID diagnosis, because they consider transsexualism to be a condition worthy of medical intervention. And there are also those who support the diagnosis of GID but want to see the diagnosis reformed or changed to protect children from abuse under it. What is intersex? Aren’t these people just gay or lesbian? This fundamental mistake goes back many years to Sigmund Freud and Harry Benjamin who thought that the transgendered were a variation of bisexuality. Later, though Benjamin did not have the technology to pursue the research, he theorized that the transgendered had the brains of their identified rather than assigned sex. Since that time sexual orientation and gender identity have been further defined. Sexual orientation is who one is sexually attracted to and Gender Identity is who one is. The evidence for the transgendered brain matching the individual's identified sex is increasingly being confirmed by researechers. Unfortunately, yes, many transgender people face harsh mistreatment and discrimination simply for being different. The leading cause of death for transgender people, and transsexual (MTF) women in particular, is murder! In fact, throughout the USA and most of the world, one or two transgender people are murdered every month! Transgender people are more likely to be physically abused and sexually assaulted than non-trans people. The transgender population also has a disproportionate rate of unemployment and poverty, usually related to the fact that transpeople are often discriminated against by real and potential employers. Despite the fact that transsexual people often require specialized medical treatments (psychotherapy, hormone therapy, surgery, etc) transgender people often avoid going to the doctor, even in cases of medical emergency. This is because many transpeople rightly fear gross mistreatment at the hands of medical professionals. Sadly, even when transpeople do find a physician who is willing to help them, trans-related health care (hormones, surgery, etc) is denied coverage through most public and private insurance plans. So many transsexuals are forced to pay thousands and thousands of dollars out of pocket for these desperately needed treatments. For economically vulnerable transpeople, the high costs of psychotherapy, hormones, and surgery becomes but another seemingly insurmountable barrier to a happier life. As Christians we must speak out against the abhorrent violence, cruelty, and injustice that our trans brothers and sisters needlessly suffer! What is proper etiquette for interacting with transpeople? We encourage you to use a transgender person's chosen name. Often transgender people cannot afford a legal name change or are not yet old enough to change their name legally. They should be afforded the same respect for their chosen name as anyone else who lives by a name other than their birth name (e.g., celebrities).We also encourage you to ask transgender people which pronoun they would like you to use. A person who identifies as a certain gender, whether or not they have taken hormones or had surgery, should be referred to using the pronouns appropriate for that gender.If it is not possible to ask the person which pronoun he or she prefers, use the pronoun that is consistent with the person's appearance and gender expression. For example, if the person wears a dress and uses the name "Susan," feminine pronouns are appropriate. What are words and terminology that I should avoid using? PROBLEMATIC: "transgenders," "a transgender" PREFERRED: "transgender people," "a transgender person" Transgender should be used as an adjective, not as a noun. Do not say, "Tony is a transgender," or "The parade included many transgenders." Instead say, "Tony is a transgender person," or "The parade included many transgender people. PROBLEMATIC: "transgendered" PREFERRED: "transgender" The word transgender never needs the extraneous "ed" at the end of the word. In fact, such a construction is grammatically incorrect. Only verbs can be transformed into participles by adding "-ed" to the end of the word, and transgender is an adjective, not a verb. PROBLEMATIC: "sex change," "pre-operative," "post-operative" PREFERRED: "transition" Referring to a sex change operation, or using terms such as pre- or post-operative, inaccurately suggests that one must have surgery in order to truly change one's sex. PROBLEMATIC: "hermaphrodite" PREFERRED: "intersex person" The word "hermaphrodite" is a stigmatizing and misleading word, usually used to sensationalize intersex people. DEFAMATORY: stating that transpeople are "deceptive," "fooling," "pretending," "posing," or "masquerading". Gender identity is an integral part of a person's identity. Please do not characterize transgender people as "deceptive," as "fooling" other people, or as "pretending" to be, "posing" or "masquerading" as a man or a woman. Such descriptions are extremely insulting. DEROGATORY: "she-male," "he-she," "it," "trannie," "tranny," "gender-bender" These words only serve to dehumanize transgender people and should not be used at all! PROBLEMATIC: Asking, “How far are you in your transition?” or “Are you post-operative?” ISSUE: Either question is considered socially improper. There are generally only two people who need to know what is in one’s underwear: a potential sexual partner and one’s physician. I think someone might be transgender or transsexual, what should I do? Unless you are a close friend or partner of this person, whether or not they are trans is not really any of your business. Most transpeople just want to live their lives in an inconspicuous fashion and do not welcome strangers asking them about such an intimate part of their lives. If there is a legitimate reason that you need to know someone’s tran status, ask them politely in private. If they are trans and they confide this information to you, DO NOT share it with other people without that person’s permission. Knowing someone’s trans status is similar to knowing someone’s HIV status; it is deeply personal information that, if divulged to the wrong people, could negatively impact someone’s life. How can I be an ally to transpeople? First, you can start by educating yourself about transpeople and the issues they face. There is a list of books and movies in this FAQ where you can start learning more. Secondly, be affirming to transpeople you know in your daily life—ask them about their experiences, opinions, and outlook in order to learn from them. Thirdly, be supportive of the civil rights of transgender people—join the fight for transgender people to be included in anti-discrimination policies, local, state, and national laws. How do you reconcile your faith with being transgender? Many transgender people consider their gender difference as simply being a natural part of who they are, much like being left handed or having red hair. Many transsexuals, or those who seek medical treatments to change their bodies to match their gender identity, see their transsexuality as a chronic condition that they can successfully live with, such as diabetes or depression. Some transgender people do not have much difficulty reconciling their faith in Christ with who they are. However, many others struggle with living as both Christian and transgender. How do you cope with people who throw scripture at you and seek to criticize your identity? The answer to this question can be as varied as there are people! Here are some personal answers we have received to this question: "Personally, I feel I am not a mistake. God makes us in God's own image. However, when it comes to things of this nature, I like to think that I was always born female--mentally, spiritually. I always grew up behaving almost as a female and thinking like one etc etc. Somehow, God allows little things to happen to people such as metal retardation, birth defects, etc, etc. Does that mean they are mistakes or frowned upon as children of God? No. It just means they are that much more special and God has something big in store for them!" ~Deborah, transwoman from Indiana “I believe that we’ve been socialized into thinking of gender as a binary construction, but the reality is there’s a whole spectrum of experience among humans when it comes to how we express our sexuality. God meant people to be the way they are. Just as God meant people to be straight or just as God meant the black man to be black or the leopard to have its spots. That physicality means nothing but its whats on the inside that counts. Seeing the diversity and liberty in God’s creation, seeing how important equality is in every minority, that’s what counts. When God made a rainbow for Noah after the great flood. Did God make a white arch? No, God made a wonderful variety other different colors to show the beauty and diversity of God's creation. God has created each of us so that the works of God can be made manifest in us. GLBT people are not accidents, errors, perverts, but rather chances for the works of God to be manifest.” ~Andrew, GCN member What does the Bible say? A complete theological discussion of transgender people in the bible is beyond the scope of this simple document. However, we want our readers to be familiar with the major biblical references that are often utilized in religious discussion of transpeople. Opponents of transpeople’s right to transition or express themselves often cite two verses from the book of Deuteronomy: “A woman shall not wear an article proper to a man, nor a man put on a woman’s dress” (22:5) and “No one whose testicles have been crushed or whose penis has been cut off may be admitted to the community of the Lord” (23:2, all quotes from NAB). The reader should keep in mind that these chapters of Deuteronomy also forbid you to wear blended fabrics (22:11), instruct believers to wear tassles on the corners of their clothes (22:12), and to stone adulterous women to death (22:21). Furthermore, these prohibitions might have been referring to pagan rituals worshipping Canaanite gods/goddesses such as Cybele and Ishtar in decadent rites that often included cross-dressing activities and castration. The author of Deuteronomy also did not have the modern concept of transsexuality or gender dysphoria as being a treatable medical disorder or as being a natural variation of human identity or behavior. A more hopeful reference to gender variant people lies in the book of the prophet Isaiah. In chapter fifty-six, the prophet makes detailed mention of the fact that God will gather people who were considered outsiders and foreigners into a covenant with Godself. Verses three through five read that: “Nor let the eunuch say ‘See, I am a dry tree’. For thus says the Lord: to the eunuchs who observe my Sabbaths and choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant, I will give, in my house and within my walls, a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; an eternal, imperishable name will I give them” (NAB). According to Isaiah, God promises to gather all people to Godself, and gender variant people (here understood as eunuchs) are included in this promise. Christians also understand this promise as being fulfilled through the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This promise of redemption and grace for the gender variant comes to fruition in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. In the eighth chapter of Acts, the apostle Philip is instructed by an angel of God to travel along the desert route between Jerusalem and Gaza (v.26). Along this route, Philip comes across the caravan of an Ethiopian eunuch traveling home from Jerusalem (v.27). The eunuch calls Philip to join him on his chariot and Philip uses the prophet Isaiah as a base for preaching the Good News to the eunuch (v.28-35). When the travelers come upon a body of water the eunuch announces “Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?” (v.37 NAB). Philip baptizes the Ethiopian and the Holy Spirit enters the scene, carrying Philip away and leaving the Ethipian full of joy and rejoicing (v.39). In this powerful account we have an apostle being commanded by God to witness to a gender variant person (in this case a court eunuch) who responds to the gospel, is baptized, and then touched by the Holy Spirit. Compiled by Deborah Richards and Darlene Fike from various resources. |
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