Organisations like Stonewall, Mermaids, Gendered Intelligence and GLAAD have lots of resources online. It’s important to learn more about trans experiences, but remember that trans people are not walking encyclopaedias. Don’t tell anyone about someone’s gender identity without their consent, even if they have come out to their friends, family or wider society. It can be dangerous for trans people to be open about their gender identity. Honest mistakes – as opposed to intentional attempts to invalidate someone’s identity – don’t make you transphobic. If you make a mistake, apologise and learn from the experience. Learning the appropriate terminology and language can be daunting. Dealing with toxic, dehumanising attitudes can be extremely draining and distressing for trans people. This ensures they don’t have to face any potential transphobia alone.Ĭhallenge friends and family members who make transphobic comments. One practical thing you can do to help your trans friends – if they want you to – is to go inside with them. Going to a gendered bathroom or changing room can be difficult for trans people, especially when they are made to feel like they don’t belong. This includes supporting trans people of colour, sex workers, and people with disabilities.

Recognise and respect the lives and experiences of all trans and non-binary people, and understand the oppression they face. If someone’s gender is outside of the gender binary or they don’t have a gender identity at all, it simply reflects the diversity of people’s identities. Alternatively, indicate the pronouns you use first – this gives people an opportunity to say theirs too.Īll gender identities are valid and should be supported equally. If you are unsure which pronoun to use, wait for an appropriate moment and ask. Some people prefer gender-neutral pronouns such as they/their and ze/zir. Gender expression is how they choose to reflect their gender identity in their physical appearance.ĭon’t make assumptions about someone’s gender based on the way they dress – it may not reflect their gender identity or the appearance usually associated with their gender identity. Gender identity is someone’s personal and intimate sense of their own gender. Gender identity and gender expression are different Don’t ask what their ‘real’ name or gender is – this is disrespectful and distressing.

Use the name and gender a trans person tells you to use. This should always be respected and supported. Some people use multiple terms or shift between different terms to better represent their gender identity.

It’s always up to an individual as to how they describe their gender identity. Some intersex people self-define as trans and/or non-binary, others with the gender they were assigned at birth.

It describes someone born with anatomical, hormonal and/or chromosomal variations in their sex characteristics. Intersex: is not a gender identity and should not be lumped under the trans umbrella. This term also falls under the trans umbrella. The term non-binary comes under the trans umbrella.Īgender: a non-binary identity for people that have no gender at all. Some people do not identify wholly or at all with the gender they were assigned at birth – some people have no gender at all. Non-Binary: a gender identity and an umbrella term for people whose identity falls outside the gender binary. A trans man is a man who was assigned female at birth.Ĭisgender: someone whose gender identity aligns with the gender they were assigned at birth. Trans: a gender identity and umbrella term for people whose gender differs from, or does not sit comfortably within, the gender they were assigned at birth.Ī trans woman is a woman who was assigned male at birth. In reality, gender is much more like a spectrum – it isn’t set in stone and some people have fluid or fluctuating gender identities. What is the gender binary? The gender binary is the idea that there are only two genders – male and female. Your anatomy doesn't determine your gender identity and neither does the “gender binary”.

Gender fluid meaning