“It’s a process. What I called myself three years ago may not be what I call myself today. Changing how you identify is okay.”
TEAH
It is important to know that being trans is not dependent upon medical procedures.
People in the trans community may describe themselves using one (or more) of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) trans, transgender, two spirited, person of trans experience, gender non-conforming or non-binary. It is important to use the term used by the person. Trying to change a person’s gender identity is no more successful than trying to change a person’s sexual orientation – it does not work. Most trans people look to bring their bodies into alignment with their gender identity. This is called transition.
As part of the transition process, many transgender people are prescribed hormones by their doctors to change their bodies. Some undergo surgeries as well. But not all transgender people can or will take those steps. It is important to know that being trans is not dependent upon medical procedures.
Transgender is an adjective and should never be used as a noun. For example, rather than saying “Max is a transgender,” say “Max is a transgender person” or “Max is a transgender man.” And transgender never needs an “-ed” at the end. The above is from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) website and more educational information can be found at www.glaad.org/transgender
“I think in all actuality we do not transition we just become who we really are. When we didn’t have ‘trans’ language, we knew we were different. Then we started moving to our authentic self.”
Teryl Lynn
“We are continually given messages throughout our lives about what it means to be a girl or a boy, woman or man. Families, friends, teachers, advertisements, television, social media and magazines tell us that we are supposed to look, dress, behave and fell a certain way just because we are biologically assigned male or female at birth. Though, people look, act and feel both masculine and/or feminine to various degrees regardless of their physical body. Very rarely are we told that how we feel on the inside might be different to how we feel on the outside. As a result, most people who feel like this, grow up feeling worried, ashamed, scared or just somehow different.”
From A COMING OUT GUIDE FOR TRANS YOUNG PEOPLE
