Jargon Buster

Those things you learnt about in English lessons like “he”, “she” and “they”, They’re important because getting them right goes a long way for people’s wellbeing, and sometimes someone’s pronouns aren’t always obvious. If in doubt, just ask!

Someone who identifies as the same gender they were assigned at birth. In other words, the doctor saw your genitals, exclaimed “it’s a girl!” and that’s worked for you ever since!

Short for “transgender”.

Someone who identifies as a different gender to the one assigned at birth. Sometimes “trans” gets used as an umbrella term for anyone who doesn’t identify as cisgender.

The period when someone changes their outward appearance to match their gender identity, which may involve surgery or hormone treatment (but doesn’t always)

An abbreviation meaning either “female to male” or “male to female”. Used by some trans people to indicate the direction of transition is they’ve changed gender. If someone uses the term themselves, great – but for some people it can just highlight an old gender they no longer identify with.

Someone who doesn’t identify as either male of female (the “binary” genders). Often “they” or “ze” are used instead of “he” or “she”.

Can also be an umbrella term for any gender not male or female (such as gender fluid or agender)

Someone who doesn’t identify as a fixed gender. Their gender may change over time or may be different from day to day and may or not involve binary genders (male and female).

Sometimes this is called pangender too.

Someone who doesn’t identify with any gender at all.

Sometimes called gender free or non-gendered

A medical word for the discomfort or distress felt when someone’s gender identity doesn’t match up with their biological sex.

If this is something you’re worried about your GP is the best person to talk to. They can make referrals to get to a gender clinic and if that’s something you’d like more info about head to www.genderedintelligence.co.uk.

When a trans person “passes” as cisgender to others. Don’t assume it’s a goal for all trans people as it’s often not.

Someone whose biology doesn’t fit with medical definitions of male and female sexes when theiy’re born.

This usually means aspects of both male and female genitalia or reproductive organs, but not always.

Intersex people might identify as any gender and it’s not up to others (including doctors) to decide what that gender is.

Someone who gets pleasure from dressing in clothing that society associates with the opposite biological sex.

It’s not used much these days and it’s not really anything to do with gender identity, just something that person enjoys.

Someone who does an exaggerated “performance” of gender. It can take a lot of forms, but it has nothing to do with that person’s gender identity, it’s always a performance or form of artistic expression.

Isn’t a thing! There’s not one “surgery” available to people AND not everyone wants surgical options when it comes to gender either. Most people probably mean genital reconstruction here but there’s loads of available surgeries for those who want to medically transition. There’s no “one size fits all” trans surgery, and it’s also a pretty intrusive to ask someone what they’ve had!

Usually refers to mastectomy for trans males or chest contouring for trans females. In the UK you must be over 18 for this and you’ll need to be referred to a Gender Identity Clinic beforehand.

For more info head to www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/treatment

Could refer to a few things but mostly genital reconstructive surgeries. In the UK you must be over 18 for this and you’ll need to go to a Gender Identity Clinic first.

There’s more info at www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/treatment

Generally means giving someone Oestrogen or Testosterone to alter their body. It changes things like body hair, breast development and muscle tone. It’s also prescribed for conditions that have nothing to do with gender.

What’s really important is to only ever take HRT that has been prescribed to you, otherwise it can have unpredictable side effects and will likely interfere with any other referrals to gender identity services you might want.

This is the thing most people under 18 are most like to be prescribed. Your GP can prescribe them – you don’t need a referral to a G.I.C., although they might suggest getting one.

They do exactly what they say and simply stop the production of hormones.

If you’re under 17.5 years old you can be referred to the child G.I.C. by CAMHS or any other health professional. If you’re older than 17.5 years old only your GP can do that.

There are centres in Leeds and London called the Tavistock and Portman centres.

Is when someone goes by a new name that reflects their gender identity but people still call them the old name. Sometimes it happens by accident but sometimes it’s done maliciously – either way it sucks and don’t do it!