PSY 210: Gender Identity

gender binary

A system of viewing gender as consisting solely of two, opposite categories, termed "male and female", in which no other possibilities for gender or anatomy are believed to exist This system is oppressive to anyone who defies their sex assigned at birth, but particularly those who are gender-variant or do not fit neatly into one of the two standard categories

Kathoey

A transgender woman or an effeminate gay male in Thailand male-to-female transgenders in Thailand

genderqueer

An identity commonly used by people who do not identify or express their gender within the gender binary Those who identify as genderqueer may identify as neither male nor female, may see themselves as outside of or in between the binary gender boxes, or may simply feel restricted by gender labels Many genderqueer people are cisgender and identify with it as an aesthetic Not everyone who identifies as genderqueer identifies as trans or nonbinary

two-spirit

An umbrella term indexing various indigenous gender identities in North America

transgender

Encompassing term of many gender identities of those who do not identify or exclusively identify with their sex assigned at birth An umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth The term transgender is not indicative of gender expression, sexual orientation, hormonal makeup, physical anatomy, or how one is perceived in daily life Note that transgender does not have an "ed" at the end

Fa'afafine

In Samoa, some young boys may be identified as having feminine characteristics. They become part of a third gender that has many feminine characteristics, but is not seen as being strictly feminine.

gender identity

One's internal sense of being male, female, neither of these, both, or other gender(s). For transgender people, their sex assigned at birth and their gender identity are not necessarily the same.

cisgender

Term for someone who exclusively identifies as their sex assigned at birth. The term cisgender is not indicative of gender expression, sexual orientation, hormonal makeup, physical anatomy, or how one is perceived in daily life

cross-dressing

The act of dressing and presenting as a different gender One who considers this an integral part of their identity may identify as a cross-dresser "Transvestite" is often considered a pejorative term with the same meaning Drag performers are cross-dressing performers who take on stylized, exaggerated gender presentations (although not all drag performers identify as cross-dressers) Cross-dressing and drag are forms of gender expression and are not necessarily tied to erotic activity, nor are they indicative of one's sexual orientation or gender identity Do NOT use these terms to describe someone who has transitioned or intends to do so in the future

gender expression

The physical manifestation of one's gender identity through clothing, hairstyle, voice, body shape, etc. (typically referred to as masculine or feminine). Many transgender people seek to make their gender expression (how they look) match their gender identity (who they are), rather than their sex assigned at birth Someone with a gender nonconforming gender expression may or may not be transgender

transwoman/transman

Trans woman generally describes someone assigned male at birth who identifies as a woman This individual may or may not actively identify as trans Many trans individuals prefer a space between trans and woman/man. Other do not Often it is good just to use woman or man

MTF and FTM

male to female female to male