Category: T

Transfeminine, also known as transfem or transfemme, refers to someone who is transgender, non-binary, or gender non-conforming and whose gender is mostly feminine, whether in identity, expression, or both. Transfem may be used by people who were assigned male at birth (AMAB) who identify as transfeminine.  

Transfem can be a standalone identity term or an umbrella term that may include certain identities, such as:

• Trans women

• Multigender or non-binary people who feel that their gender is more feminine 

• Genderfluid people whose gender is predominantly feminine, feminine all of the time, or feminine some of the time

• Demigirls – defined as someone who partially identifies as a girl, woman, or feminine

Other definitions/things to note:

A transfeminine person may or may not use the labels trans and femme or label themselves female.  

*The masculine equivalent of transfem is transmasc.

A Transmasc person, also known as Transmasculine, is someone who was assigned female at birth (AFAB) but identifies as more masculine.

Transmasculine people feel a connection with masculinity, but do not always identify as a man. A transmasc person may not necessarily prefer to be referred to as “he/him” or as a man; some transmasculine people use “they/them”, “he/they”, or “she/her” pronouns.

Transmasculine people may include, but are not limited to:

• Binary trans men

• Nonbinary men

• Demiboys

• Multigender people

• Genderfluid people –  who identify as masculine more often than other genders.

• Nonbinary people – who identify with masculinity.

Other definitions/things to note:

Transfeminine is the feminine equivalent of transmasculine.

Transneutral is a term that can be used to describe a transgender individual who identifies fully or partially as a neutral, abinary, or other specific non-binary gender. It can be considered an umbrella term for anyone who transitions to a neutral identity. Transneutral individuals can identify as other non-neutral genders as well (e.g., someone who identifies as a neuwoman could simultaneously identify as transneutral.

Someone who is transneutral may identify as MtN/FtN (male/female to neutral) depending on the individual’s assigned gender at birth (AGaB – which can include AFAB, otherwise known as assigned female at birth, or AMAB, otherwise known as assigned male at birth).

Other definitions/things to note:

Sometimes, transneutral is used as a way to describe anyone who undergoes a medical transition process that is not fully transmasculine or fully transfeminine (either through surgery, hormone replacement therapy, or other similar ways of internally or externally transitioning). Under this definition, individuals who undergo transition(s) to seem more neutral may be considered transneutral.

*The feminine equivalent to transneutral is transfeminine. The masculine equivalent is transmasculine.

Transgender is a broad term that can be used to describe someone whose gender identity is different from the gender they were assigned at birth. “Trans” is often used as shorthand for transgender.

To treat a transgender person with respect, you treat them according to their gender identity, not their sex at birth. So, someone who lives as a woman today is called a transgender woman and should be referred to as “she” and “her.”

It is also important to acknowledge that one’s Gender identity is their internal knowledge of their gender (for example, your knowledge that you’re a man, a woman, or another gender). Gender expression is how a person presents their gender on the outside – that might include; behavior, clothing, hairstyle, voice or body characteristics. Everyone has a gender identity and expression, including cisgender – or non-transgender – people.

Other definitions/ things to note:

When a person begins to live according to their gender identity, rather than the gender they were thought to be when they were born, this time period may be called gender transition.

Some transgender people identify as neither a man nor a woman, or as a combination of male and female, and may use terms like nonbinary or genderqueer to describe their gender identity.

It is important to use respectful terminology regardless of how someone identifies. This includes using the name the person has asked you to call them (not their old name) as well as the pronouns they want you to use. If you aren’t sure what pronouns a person uses, just ask politely.

Transphobia is a rejection of trans identity and a refusal to acknowledge that it could possibly be real or valid. The consequence of transphobia is that trans people struggle to live openly and comfortably in society.

Transphobia includes, but is not limited to:

Other definitions/things to note:

Transphobia has no single, simple manifestation. It is complex and can include a range of behaviours and arguments.

Discrimination is, however, a punishable offence under UK Law. Trans people are still protected from discrimination under the EA 2010.

It is important to challenge transphobia and to reach out to the people and resources that can help if you or anyone you know has been a victim.  https://transactual.org.uk/know-your-rights/