ACA-Party Research. Understanding transgender people, gender identity and gender expression.
Transgender is an umbrella terms for persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth.
According to the APA Style guide, the term “transsexual” is largely outdated, but some people identify with it; this term should be used only for an individual who specifically claims it.
While the term “transsexual” appears multiple times throughout this document, APA’s Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity is undertaking a systematic review of its use along with other terms. In the meantime, please refer to the Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People (PDF, 472KB) for more up-to-date language regarding transgender and gender nonconforming people.
Transgender is an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth. Gender identity refers to a person’s internal sense of being male, female or something else; gender expression refers to the way a person communicates gender identity to others through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, voice or body characteristics. “Trans” is sometimes used as shorthand for “transgender.” While transgender is generally a good term to use, not everyone whose appearance or behavior is gender-nonconforming will identify as a transgender person. The ways that transgender people are talked about in popular culture, academia and science are constantly changing, particularly as individuals’ awareness, knowledge and openness about transgender people and their experiences grow.
What is the difference between sex and gender?
Sex is assigned at birth, refers to one’s biological status as either male or female, and is associated primarily with physical attributes such as chromosomes, hormone prevalence, and external and internal anatomy. Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for boys and men or girls and women. These influence the ways that people act, interact, and feel about themselves. While aspects of biological sex are similar across different cultures, aspects of gender may differ.
Various conditions that lead to atypical development of physical sex characteristics are collectively referred to as intersex conditions.
Have transgender people always existed?
Transgender persons have been documented in many indigenous, Western, and Eastern cultures and societies from antiquity until the present day. However, the meaning of gender nonconformity may vary from culture to culture.
How can I be supportive of transgender family members, friends, or significant others?
• Educate yourself about transgender issues by reading books, attending conferences, and consulting with transgender experts. Be aware of your attitudes concerning people with gender-nonconforming appearance or behavior.
• Know that transgender people have membership in various sociocultural identity groups (e.g., race, social class, religion, age, disability, etc.) and there is not one universal way to look or be transgender.
• Use names and pronouns that are appropriate to the person’s gender presentation and identity; if in doubt, ask.
• Don’t make assumptions about transgender people’s sexual orientation, desire for hormonal or medical treatment, or other aspects of their identity or transition plans. If you have a reason to know (e.g., you are a physician conducting a necessary physical exam or you are a person who is interested in dating someone that you’ve learned is transgender), ask.
• Don’t confuse gender nonconformity with being transgender. Not all people who appear androgynous or gender nonconforming identify as transgender or desire gender affirmation treatment.
• Keep the lines of communication open with the transgender person in your life.
• Get support in processing your own reactions. It can take some time to adjust to seeing someone you know well transitioning. Having someone close to you transition will be an adjustment and can be challenging, especially for partners, parents, and children.
• Seek support in dealing with your feelings. You are not alone. Mental health professionals and support groups for family, friends, and significant others of transgender people can be useful resources.
• Advocate for transgender rights, including social and economic justice and appropriate psychological care.Familiarize yourself with the local and state or provincial laws that protect transgender people from discrimination.
Where can I find more information about transgender health, advocacy and human rights?
• American Psychological Association
Office on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Programs and Projects
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
• Children’s National Medical Center
Gender and Sexuality Advocacy and Education
111 Michigan Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 476-4172
• Family Acceptance Project
San Francisco State University
3004 16th Street, #301
San Francisco, CA 94103
• FTMInternational
(FTM means Female-to-Male)
601 Van Ness Ave., Suite E327
San Francisco, CA 94102
(877) 267-1440
• Gender Spectrum
(510) 788-4412
• National Center for Transgender Equality
1325 Massachusetts Ave., Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 903-0112
(202) 393-2241 (fax)
• Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Transgender Network (TNET)
PFLAG National Office
1828 L Street, NW, Suite 660
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 467-8180
• Sylvia Rivera Law Project
147 W. 24th Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10011
(212) 337-8550
(212) 337-1972 (Fax)
• Transgender Law Center
870 Market Street Room 400
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 865-0176
• TransYouth Family Allies
P.O. Box1471
Holland, MI 49422-1471
(888) 462-8932
• World Professional Association for Transgender Health
References
• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: Author.
• American Psychological Association. (2008). Answers to questions: For a better understanding of sexual orientation and homosexuality. Washington, D.C.: Author.
• Coleman, E., Bockting, W., Botzer, M., Cohen-Kettenis, P., DeCuypere, G., Feldman, J., … Zucker, K. (2012). Standards of care for the health of transsexual, transgender, and gender nonconforming people (7th version). International Journal of Transgenderism, 13, 165-232. doi:10.1080/15532739.2011.700873
• National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. (2011). Injustice at every turn.
• World Health Organization. (1990). ICD-10: International classification of diseases and related health problems (10th ed).
Ref. American Psychological Associaton.
https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/transgender-people-gender-identity-gender-expression
https://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/transgender.pdf