Relationship Transgender Identity

Transgender is a term that is used to describe men and women who were born a certain sex, but feel their true gender is the opposite. Some live completely - or part time - as the opposite sex. There are also some transgender people that get sex reassignment surgery, completely changing their gender. While the definition of transgender is not yet fully agreed upon and is indeed still changing on a regular basis, there are some elements that seem to remain consistent: 1. Not identifying with the sex, and the related gender, that one is assigned upon being born 2. Indicating someone who combines male and female gender roles and/or someone who moves fluidly between these roles 3. Representing those who feel that the sex assigned to them at birth, which is based on genitalia, is incorrect or incomplete It is important to note that being transgender does not necessarily imply anything about that person's sexual preference. Transgender individuals can be heterosexual, homosexual, asexual or anywhere else on the sexual preference spectrum. Understanding what transgender means also necessitates understanding the difference between sex and gender. A person's sex is biological and physical, and includes the sex chromosomes, genitalia, reproductive structures and gonads. In contrast, gender references more sociological aspects of a person's identity, such as how people interact and feel about themselves is a term that is used to describe men and women who were born a certain sex, but feel their true gender is

the opposite. Some live completely - or part time - as the opposite sex. There are also some transgender people that get sex reassignment surgery, completely changing their gender. The term transgender became widely used in the 1970s, although it is unknown just how long transgender people have existed. And at first referenced only those who wanted to live as another gender without having reassignment surgery. The term was expanded in the 1990s to cover all of those feeling uncomfortable with the gender assigned to them a birth. Transgender describes a person whose gender does not match what society believes they should have for their anatomical sex. This would include cross dressers, drag kings, drag queens, transvestites, fetishistic transvestites, transgenderists and transsexuals. Today, transgender covers individuals in a variety of groups and categories, which include: Transsexuals (this category is also an identity all its own, given its precise medical definition). Cross-dressers Transvestites, or cross- dressers, dress as the opposite sex. Androgynous people are those who feel they don't fit clearly into one gender. Drag Kings are genetic females that wear clothes normally associated with males. Drag Queens are genetic males or transsexual women, which dress in clothes normally associated with females, mainly as entertainment in drag shows. Drag shows are seen mainly at gay bars. Drag queens usually use very heavy makeup and extravagant and beautiful costumes for stage presentation. Usually but not always, drag queens do not dress other than for the stage. Drag Queens for the most part are made up of gay males and transsexuals. Feminine describes socially acceptable traits associated with females. It has been described as being passive, nurturing, graceful, and beautiful and many more attributes, although many of the traits attributed to females is manifest in males as well. Many of the traits can be attributed to reproduction. These include breasts and hips wider than waist. Masculine describes socially acceptable traits associated with males. It has been described as aggressive, strong, intelligent and many more attributes. Although many of the traits attributed to males is manifest in females as well. Gender describes how we as a society define how one should act and think, as either feminine or masculine. Social pressure defines how one should think act and dress. That pressure is placed on the...