There’s a lot of terms that get used around gender, and it can get a little confusing. Here’s a quick guide to some of the more common terms that come up. As usual it’s completely up to you if you use any of terms for yourself or not – labels should work you not anyone else!
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Pronouns
Cisgender
trans
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.
transistion
f2m / m2f
non-binary / "enby"
Can also be an umbrella term for any gender not male or female (such as gender fluid or agender)
Gender fluid
Sometimes this is called pangender too.
agender
Sometimes called gender free or non-gendered
gender dysphoria
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.
passing
intersex
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.
transvestite
It’s not used much these days and it’s not really anything to do with gender identity, just something that person enjoys.
drag queens & kings
the "surgery"
"top surgery"
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
"bottom surgery"
There’s more info at www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/treatment
HRT (hormone replacement therapy)
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.
Hormone Blockers
They do exactly what they say and simply stop the production of hormones.
G.I.C. (Gender Identity Clinics)
There are centres in Leeds and London called the Tavistock and Portman centres.
Dead naming
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