Transgender is a broad term used to encompass all manifestations of crossing gender barriers. The transgender community includes all who crossdress or otherwise transgress gender norms. Gender identity is about how we see ourselves. Anyone who self-identifies may belong to the transgender community.

          The 1993 Minnesota Human Rights Act protects the civil and human rights of transgender people in areas of housing, employment and public accommodation. The act defines transgender people as:

“. . . having or being perceived as having a self-image or identity not traditionally associated with one’s biological maleness or femaleness.”

          Some parts of the transgender community may choose to identify as either female-to-male or male-to-female. Others reject these categories and may consider them (and our society's binary gender system) oppressive.

About Differently Gendered People

          Coming from many social, economic, political, and philosophical places, transgender people share a desire to freely explore and express their gender identities. Some alternate between strongly masculine and feminine presentations. Some present as the gender opposite their birth sex. Others blend individual characteristics into an overall image of varying degrees of masculinity and femininity. There is a broad spectrum of gender expression within the transgender community.

          Throughout history, transgender people have lived in many cultures around the world. Some have been honored and revered; others have been shunned and isolated. In the United States today, transgender people are one of the most misunderstood minority groups. Fear and ignorance often foster prejudice, intolerance, hate speech and violence.

          Many transgender people live in fear of discovery by a scornful public. They’ve kept their feelings a secret from their closest loved ones. While in the closet, most think they are the only ones in the world with these feelings.

Misconceptions Hurt People

          Gender identity is different from sexual orientation. Gender identity does not have a direct bearing on attraction to others. A lack of understanding about this often manifests in a question to a known transgender person: "Are you gay?"

          There is a misconception that all crossdressing is about fetishism. When in fact a crossdresser is a person who simply enjoys dressing as their opposite gender, usually a part time activity. The term "crossdresser" is now preferred to the older term "transvestite."

          Many people think that all transgender people are the same as the people you might see in a sex magazine or video, or sensationalized on TV talk shows. In reality, most are men and women with lives typical to our culture.

          There is no “cure” for being transgender or needing to crossdress or otherwise express gender difference in our society. The best “treatment” is self-acceptance. We also need a knowledgeable, understanding and tolerant society. Many transgender people live happy, well-adjusted lives.

Differently Gendered People

Clarifying the Diversity

Transgender:

a broad term used to encompass all manifestations of crossing gender barriers. It includes all who crossdress or otherwise transgress gender norms, and all others who wish to belong. The Minnesota Human Rights Act includes transgender people and defines them as: “having or being perceived as having a self-image or identity not traditionally associated with one’s biological maleness or femaleness.”

Crossdresser:

the preferred term for one who enjoys dressing as their opposite sex; a part-time activity which can involve a degree of exploration into gender identity.

Transvestite:

the original term for "cross-dresser", which has acquired a connotation of fetishism and perversion.

Bi gender / Dual gender:

a person who possesses and expresses a distinctly masculine persona and a distinctly feminine persona. Is comfortable in and enjoys presenting in both gender roles.

Transgenderist (cross living):

a term used specifically to describe a person who expresses a gender contrary to the normal expectation of their anatomy-most or all of the time-but feels no need for Gender Reassignment Surgery.

F to M or M to F:

abbreviations used to describe female to male or male to female transgender people.

Pre-op Transsexual:

one who feels their anatomy should be altered to correspond with their dominant gender; may live full-time in their dominant gender, but hasn't yet had Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS) - or may never be able due to health or financial problems.

Post-op Transsexual:

one who has had GRS and lives full-time, often preferring to drop the label since it refers primarily to their transition.

Two spirited (Berdache):

term used by most anthropologists for transgendered Native-American Shamans, whose traditions varied between tribes.

Female or male Impersonator:

persons who crossdress as a performing art and/or as stage personalities. They may also consider themselves “drag performers”and may or may not consider themselves to be transgender.

Drag Queen/King:

a man or woman dressed as the opposite gender, many times overdone or outrageous and may present a “stereotyped image.” Often lesbian or gay.

Androgyny:

a profound blend of gender which blurs the distinction between masculine and feminine.

The Third Sex:

generally a term applied to transgender people who express a "gender alternative" to traditional masculine or feminine roles.

Gender Blending:

dressing in such a way as to question the traditional feminine or masculine qualities assigned to articles of clothing or adornment. Gender bending may be a part of ‘fashion’, or possibly a ‘political’ Statement.

Intersex:

one who is born with ambiguous anatomical features or features of both male and female.

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