Transgender, transvestite and transsexual — what”s the difference?
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Similar terms such as “transgender”, “transsexual” and “transvestite” can be confusing. And if the difference between the first and the last is not so clear, then with the first two the situation is less clear. Just once clears up the confusion and makes these concepts clear.
Contents of the article:
Who is a transgender?
Transgender is a general term meaning that the gender a person is assigned at birth does not correspond to the gender they perceive themselves to be. So, for example, if a person was born a boy, but actually feels like a girl, he is transgender. The opposite situation may also arise when a boy is born in a girl’s body. Some transgender people combine characteristics of both sexes because they do not classify their gender as male or female at all. Such people are usually called non-combatants.
Transgender people may also use the abbreviation “trans” to refer to themselves to indicate that their true gender does not match the one they were born with. Transgender people change their appearance, body, name, and pronouns to reflect their gender identity. However, this is not mandatory. Many transgender people live just fine without it.
Who is a transsexual?
Typically, from a historical and medical perspective, the term “transgender” is used to refer to a person whose gender identity (i. e., who they perceive themselves to be) does not match the gender they were born with (male, female, or intersex).
In more specific cases, transsexuals refer to people who have undergone medical intervention to make their appearance consistent with their gender. For example, surgery or hormonal therapy.
The term “transsexual” should be used with great caution. Firstly, because not all transgender people use it to describe themselves. Secondly, many consider it offensive. This is because the term was previously used in medicine and psychology in a rather negative context, where transsexuality was considered a mental illness and sexual deviation. Today, the medical community recognizes that transgenderism is not a disease, but it remains associated with unpleasant sensations.
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If these terms are so similar, then what is the difference?
The main difference between the terms “transgender” and “transsexual” lies in the experience of their use. Transgender is a suppressive term that is used much more frequently because it has no negative connotations. It includes people who conform their bodies to their true gender for the purpose of any kind of medical intervention, as well as people who live without it.
Transsexuals in the public consciousness are typically people who have undergone surgery or treatment. And while many activists argue that this term is not so narrow, shedding this association is not as easy as it seems.
Why do some people call themselves transsexuals if the word has such a bad reputation?
Despite the less-than-positive history and negative associations associated with this term, some people still use it to describe themselves. This is usually done to emphasize that they have undergone sex reassignment surgery, hormone therapy, etc. It is an important element of their lives and identity.
Okay, what about drag queens?
The term “rude people” is not as widely used today. This is due to the negative connotations of “gender dysphoria.” This term refers to a mental disorder that was once considered a genetic disorder but is no longer considered one.
A transvestite or crossdresser (a more acceptable term these days) refers to a person who dresses and behaves in the style of the opposite sex. At the same time, let”s say a man in a dress can still identify himself as a man. In other words, crossdressing is often not associated with transgenderism, but again, everything is purely individual. Crossdressers can be either cisgender people or transgender people.
How do you know which word to use in relation to a person?
In fact, the easiest and most effective way to learn how to look people in the eye is to simply ask! If for some reason this is not possible, you can clarify such details with someone who knows this person well. And if you think so, you should avoid using colorful language, such as gender, so as not to accidentally offend or offend a person.
And finally, fix it. Transgender is the preferred option and is an umbrella and neutral term. Transsexual is a more specific concept associated with medical intervention and has a negative narrative. Transvestite, a term that carries negative connotations, does not necessarily mean a transgender person, but a person who likes to dress and act like a member of the opposite sex.
