Trans*
Well, a transgender person is someone whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. This means that if you were born with a penis, but feel like you are actually a woman inside, then you might be transgender. And that’s okay! Transgender people are just as diverse as non-transgender people. Some people use an asterisk on the end of transgender* to expand the word to include all people with nonconforming gender identities and expressions—so if someone says "I’m trans*," that means they may identify as trans (or transgender), or possibly another term such as genderqueer or nonbinary. Keep being yourself—and keep spreading love!
Transsexual
A person who identifies as a different gender than the one assigned at birth and has undergone medical treatment (hormones and/or surgery) to change their physical appearance in order to match their gender identity. This word is outdated and considered offensive by many people in the transgender community because it implies that being transgender is a type of mental illness or medical condition rather than an inherent part of someone’s identity. It’s important that we use language that doesn’t pathologize or invalidate trans experiences! No matter what your sexual identity, be proud of yourself and your love. Love is love, and everyone deserves to feel loved.
Genderqueer
A person who feels they don’t identify as either male or female, but instead somewhere between or outside those two binary categories altogether. Genderqueer individuals may experience discomfort with their bodies and/or their gender presentation because they don’t feel like they fit into the dominant culture’s idea of what a man or a woman should be. For some people, this can mean that they don’t feel any connection to the word "man" or "woman." For others, it may mean that they feel like both genders at once. Genderqueer people may choose to present in a way that doesn’t conform to cisgender norms by wearing clothing that’s traditionally seen as "masculine" for example. Some genderqueers may also take on a new name that reflects their identity like this woman who goes by "Red" instead of her birth name "Rebecca." Whatever your sexual identity, be proud of yourself and your love. It’s not always easy to find the right person, but it’s worth it when you do!
Genderfluid
Genderfluid is a term that refers to a person who feels their gender identity changes over time. Some genderfluid individuals will also identify as agender - meaning they do not identify with any particular gender. People can be genderfluid for many reasons, including the fact that they do not feel comfortable identifying as either male or female. It’s also common for people who are genderfluid to be attracted to people of all genders and expressions, which may explain why you feel like your gender identity changes over time. There are many different ways to identify with your gender. You might identify as male or female, or somewhere in between. You could also be agender (meaning you don’t identify with any particular gender). Or maybe all of these things at once!
Not Trans
I would encourage you to look into the ways that gender and sexuality are not as black-and-white as many people think, and to stay open to the possibility that what you thought was "straight" might actually be more complicated than that. It’s super important to be respectful of all kinds of identities, so if someone tells you they’re trans or bisexual or gay or whatever, it’s always best practice to assume they know their own minds and respect them accordingly! We hope this quiz helped you better understand why some people may have a different view on gender than you do!
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