transgender

[ trans-jen-der, tranz‑ ]

adjective

1. noting or relating to a person whose gender identity does not correspond to that person’s sex assigned at birth: She identifies as transgender.

   The organization supports transgender rights.

   She identifies as transgender.

2. noting or relating to a person who does not conform to societal gender norms or roles.

noun

1. Usually Offensive. a person who is transgender.

transgender

/ ˌtrænzˈdʒɛndə /

adjective

1. of or relating to a person who wants to belong to the opposite sex

Sensitive Note

The term transgender has largely replaced the older term transsexual, which is now considered outdated, though some people within the community continue to identify with the word transsexual, especially older people. Transgender is a less clinical term, referring more to gender identity and gender expression than to physical sex characteristics or sexual orientation. It is also a more general and inclusive term: a transgender person may be nonbinary, gender-fluid, genderqueer, third gender, etc. Use of transgender as a noun (One of my colleagues is a transgender ) is declining and is usually taken as offensive. And many people object to the adjectival variant transgendered (One of my colleagues is transgendered ) because the –ed suffix seems to imply that something happened to make the person transgender. trans, transsexual.

Derived Forms

• ˌtransˈgendered, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transgender¹

First recorded in 1970–75; trans- none + gender ¹none

Example Sentences

Under Coe, World Athletics has banned transgender women from competing in the female category at international events.

From BBC

Any form of restricting access to gender-affirming care will have a “chilling” effect on health care for transgender and gender-diverse people, said Dr. Alex Keuroghlian, the director of the Division of Public and Community Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital.

From Salon

Some patients have even reported struggling to access routine healthcare from doctors who are afraid that treating trans patients could lead to consequences, said Andrea Segovia, the policy director of Transgender Education Network of Texas.

From Salon

“Transgender youth who deserve access to care cannot receive it,” Segovia told Salon in a phone interview.

From Salon

Research shows gender-affirming care improves the mental health and well-being of youth who are transgender, gender diverse, or nonbinary.

From Salon