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[[File:Transflag.png|thumb|220x220px|The transgender flag.]]

[[File:Transgender symbol.png|thumb|The transgender symbol. Unicode: U+26A7 ⚧]]

'''Transgender''' (often shortened to '''trans''') is a term referring to an individual whose [[Gender Identity|gender identity]] does not correspond with their [[Assigned Gender|assigned gender at birth]] (AGAB).

The opposite of transgender is [[cisgender]].

Transgender (also referred to as the '''transgender umbrella''', or the '''trans umbrella''') is most commonly understood as an umbrella term that can refer to a wide range of experiences. The term trans on its own does not solely refer to men who were assigned female at birth and women who were assigned male at birth; though these experiences are representative of a very significant proportion of the trans community.

To reflect this, the trans umbrella includes both [[Binary Genders|binary]] trans individuals (binary trans men and binary trans women) and non-binary trans individuals, though not all non-binary individuals identify as transgender.

'''Binary trans''' individuals are those who identify fully, solely and statically as one of the two western binary genders (men and women). This includes both binary trans women and binary trans men, often referred to simply as trans women and trans men - though it's possible for one to be a [[Non-Binary Woman|non-binary (trans) woman]]/[[Non-Binary Man|man]].

* Binary trans women and men may also have been [[AXAB|assigned X at birth]]/[[UAB|unassigned at birth]] (though not all AXAB or UAB individuals are/identify as trans, or as men/women).

Any individual whose gender identity is not fully, solely and/or always aligned with their AGAB may identify as trans. This means that [[Non-Binary|non-binary]] gender identities are inherently included by the term transgender, and that any non-binary individuals may identify as trans if they wish to. Some non-binary individuals, however, do not identify themselves as trans and do not use the label transgender to describe their experiences/identities.

Non-binary individuals may also identify as transfeminine, transmasculine or a number of other terms depending on an individual's gender identity.

When writing about trans individuals, the word "trans" should be used as an adjective. One should not write "transwoman" or "trans-woman", but should rather write "trans woman", where trans is used as adjective to describe a category of women in this case.

Sometimes "trans" is written as '''trans+''' or '''trans*'''. The asterisk or plus sign indicate inclusion of all transgender, non-binary, and associated identities (such as drag queens/kings and crossdressers), without having to write out "transgender, non-binary, and associated identities" in full every time. Many drag queens/kings and crossdressers are trans or non-binary, and use drag as a way to explore their gender identity. However, performing drag does not inherently make one trans or associated with the trans community.

'''Transsexual''' is an older term originating in the medical and psychological communities. It was previously used interchangeably with transgender, and is still used by some older transgender individuals. In the modern day, transsexual or [[transsex]] can also be used as a term to refer to individuals who have changed or seek to change their bodies through medical routes, such as hormonal replacement therapy and/or physical surgeries. However, most individuals prefer the word transgender, as it is less medicalized and is more inclusive of individuals who have not, cannot, or do not want to medically transition.

Many transgender individuals (but not all) experience gender [[dysphoria]] - a feeling of discomfort or self hatred stemming from a disconnect between their internal sense of gender and their outward appearance, their bodies, and/or how others perceive them. Gender dysphoria, often called just dysphoria, can range in intensity; it can be severe, median, mild, or not there at all. Sources of dysphoria can be and often are different between individuals, and these sources can change over the course of one's life and/or transition.

'''Passing''' is a term used by trans individuals to describe their appearance, and whether they can be mistaken for a [[cisgender]] individual. For example a trans woman would "pass" when others assume they are a cisgender woman.

'''Transitioning''' refers to the act of beginning to live as one's actual gender, rather than the gender they were assigned at birth. Transitioning can be social and medical. Social transitioning typically involves going by one's chosen name, [[pronouns]], and often changing one's clothes, hair, and other parts of one's appearance to [[Gender Presentation|present]] as one's gender. Medical transitioning is the act of changing one's body to be closer to one's desired body. It can include [[Hormone Replacement Therapy|hormone replacement therapy]] (HRT), and surgeries. Both of these things can help with dysphoria.

Not all trans individuals choose to fully transition, or to transition at all. Some may socially transition, but not medically transition; some may undergo certain aspects of transitioning but not others - for example undergoing HRT, but not surgery. Alternatively, some may change their name and pronouns, but still dress similarly to their assigned gender at birth due to being [[Gender Non-Conforming|gender non-conforming]], and may still pursue medical transition.

A transgender individual's "'''dead name'''" (often shortened into "deadname") is the name that they were given by their parents when they were born. Most transgender individuals choose to change their name as a part of their transition, though not all will. The act of using a transgender individual's previous (dead) name intentionally, when one knows their real name, is called "deadnaming".

[[File:Black Trans Flag.png|thumb|The black/POC transgender flag]]

[[File:ILoveMILFS.png|thumb|An alternate black/POC transgender flag by [[User:Metanøiia|Arson]].]]

Another flag was coined by [[User:Cryptocrew|Cryptocrew]] at [[User:Hayden000|Hayden000]]'s request on January 16th of 2021, and was first published one day later. The caterpillar and butterfly with the original transgender colors represent the transition to one's true self, whether socially, physically, or both. The colour meanings are as follows:

* White is for [[multigender]] individuals and individuals with fluid genders

[[File:Alternate trans flag.jpg|alt=A 5 striped flag with equal sized horizontal stripes of dark red, pink, white, light blue, and dark blue|thumb|Alternate transgender flag by 33ducks]]

An alternative trans flag was created based on Monica Helms' flag by reddit user 33ducks around February 2021, with more shades of blue and pink representing a wider variety of ways to be trans. This flag also does not keep the blue/boy on the outside and pink/girl on the inside stripe pattern.

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[[Category:Gender]]