What does it mean to be Transgender/Trans?

• Transgender/Trans: an umbrella term for people who do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth (male, female, intersex).  Gender Identity is someone’s personal sense of their own gender and where they identify on the gender spectrum of male and female. For Transgender people, the sex they were assigned at birth and their own internal gender identity may not always match up. 

Words matter. To show your support and solidarity, you can use:

• Transgender instead of “transgendered”
• Trans instead of “Tranny”
• Genderqueer
• Gender Non-Conforming
• Transsexual

**Always use the descriptive term preferred by the individual. If you’re not 100% sure which term(s) or pronoun(s) to use – like she/he, him/her - listen first, then ask the individual what they prefer.

Did You Know?

• 80% of trans students feel unsafe at school because of their gender expression
• 41% of trans people have attempted suicide
• 1 in 5 transgender people have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives

Speaking out, taking direct action, and educating others is critical to the safety and wellbeing of the trans community. Knowing the facts and some of the challenges the Transgender community faces on a daily basis can help us become better allies and advocate for and support the rights of transgender people in our lives and communities.

Tips for Allies of Transgender People

1. You can’t tell if someone is transgender just by looking
2. Don’t make assumptions about a transgender person’s sexual orientation
3. Don’t ask a transgender person what their “real name” is
4. Respect the terminology a transgender person uses to describe their identity
5. Don’t ask about a transgender person’s genitals, surgical status, or sex life
6. Listen to Transgender people and support what they need to feel safe and empowered