A Guide to Trans Terminology

We know that language is always changing and describing identity can be complex. In this article, we cover some key terminology that you may come across around being transgender, so that you can have the confidence to use it correctly in the workplace.

Key terms

Person with a trans history: Some trans people call themselves “trans” throughout their transition and rest of life (as in “I am a trans-man”). Others who have transitioned and do not want to be known as “trans” but need to acknowledge that they were presumed to be a different gender at birth may say they are a “person with a trans history”. This is because they have always been that gender, even when they were presumed to be something else.

Gender affirmation: The personal process or processes a trans or gender diverse person determines is right for them so that they might live as their gender and so that society recognises this. Gender affirmation may involve social, medical and/or legal steps that affirm a person’s gender. Affirming gender doesn’t mean changing gender, and transition isn’t the same as being trans.

A trans or gender diverse person who hasn’t medically or legally affirmed their gender is no less the man, woman or non-binary person they’ve always been.

Gender dysphoria: Used to describe when a person experiences discomfort or distress because there is a mismatch between their presumed gender and sex at birth and what they innately know their gender to be.

This is also the clinical diagnosis which some countries require to be diagnosed before medical services will provide gender affirming care. But the concept that every trans person has gender dysphoria can be harmful, and many trans people don’t experience dysphoria at all.

Gender euphoria: Effectively the opposite of dysphoria. The feeling of comfort, contentment, or even joy that living in your true gender inspires.

Gender expression: How a person chooses to outwardly express their gender, within the context of societal expectations of gender. A person who does not conform to societal expectations of gender may not, however, identify as trans.

Pronoun: Words we use to refer to people’s gender in conversation – for example, “he” or “she”. Some people use gender neutral language and use pronouns such as “they/their” and “ze/zir”.

Top/Bottom Surgery: Gender affirming surgery, which may include some or all of the following:

• Top surgery – mastectomy or removal of breast tissue, or breast augmentation.

• Bottom surgery – Orchidectomy (removal of testicles), phalloplasty or metoidioplasty (creation of a penis), vaginoplasty and vulvoplasty (creation of a vagina and/or vulva), hysterectomy and oophorectomy (removal of womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries), or nullification surgery (which removes all external genitalia to create a smooth transition from the abdomen to the groin).

There are lots of reasons someone may not opt for surgery, including waiting list times, costs, or desire. Surgery is not necessary to be considered as trans.

PMAB/PFAB: presumed male/female at birth – at the Clear Company, we are moving towards using this term rather than “Assigned Male/Female at Birth” or similar terms, because gender is a presumption made about everyone at birth, even if many of those people grow up to have that gender fit them just fine.

Deadnaming: The act of using a trans person’s “old” name which can cause dysphoria, distress, discomfort, or even “out” the person as trans.

Falling out of use

Un-clockable/Passing: If someone is regarded, at a glance, to be a cisgender man or cisgender woman. This might include physical gender cues (hair or clothing) and/or behaviour which is historically or culturally associated with a particular gender.

This term implies that trans people are deceptive or are not truly the gender they say they are. Passing is important to some people (for example, for safety reasons), but it is not the goal of every trans person.

Preferred Pronouns: Someone’s pronouns are not a preference; they are an innate part of who a person is.

Gender identity: Used to denote a person’s innate sense of their own gender, whether male, female, non-binary, agender or something else. The term “identity” implies a choice of how you present yourself but a person’s gender is who they are. This is one of those terms which we’re searching for an alternative for – if you have one, let us know!

Gender reassignment: Used to describe a person’s transition. We prefer “Gender affirming” as a description of the process, whether medical or social. This is because a trans person has never really been the gender they were presumed to be at birth, so “reassigning” a gender can’t be done but “affirming” a gender can.

Male to female/Female to male: While true in many cases, the trans experience is rarely this simple – but it also encourages the assumption that trans people were originally one gender and changed. The current thinking is that trans people have never been the gender that they were presumed to be at birth and so, suggesting that they “change” gender is incorrect. The phrase also erases the experiences of those who do not fit into a gender binary.

Gender Identity Disorder: Many trans people have been forced to prove they have a psychiatric and/or medical condition that requires treatment to access medical or social support. For decades, being trans was classified as a disorder by the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association, but in recent years diagnostic guidelines have been updated in light of new evidence which shows that being trans is not, in itself, a mental disorder.

Sadly, this does not prevent many countries from gatekeeping medical and social support for trans people by demanding a diagnosis of either Gender Identity Disorder or Gender Dysphoria before they will be provided.

Stuff you really shouldn’t say:

When you were a man/woman, or used to be a man/woman: Just… Ouch.

Pre-op/post-op: Anything which refers to the genitals of a trans person is inappropriate, full stop. You don’t go around asking about your other co-worker’s bits, so don’t do it to trans people! The terms also reinforce the assumption all trans people want to or will have the opportunity to have surgery.

Transsexual: This was used in the past as a more medical term (similarly to homosexual) to refer to someone whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were presumed to be at birth. This term is still used by some although many people prefer the term trans or transgender.

Transvestite: A person who dresses in clothes of the opposite sex. A transgender person or cisgender person may or may not cross-dress. “Cross-dresser” is the preferable term.

Hermaphrodite: Once used to describe conditions some people are born with in which reproductive organs, structures, or tissue don’t fit clear male or female definitions. The term “intersex” should be used instead.

Sex-change operation: Once used to describe a surgery that alters the body for a person transitioning from the sex they were presumed to be at birth. Better terms to use are “gender-affirming surgery”, or “gender confirmation surgery.”

As we close our comprehensive look at trans terminology, remember that language is more than words—it’s an affirmation of identity, respect, and inclusivity. This Trans Awareness Week, take a step further: engage in conversations, ask questions with openness, and, most importantly, listen to the experiences of transgender individuals. Are there terms or concepts you’re grappling with, or do you have insights into the evolving language of gender identity? Share your thoughts with us and join the dialogue. Together, we can foster a community grounded in understanding and respect.

If you’re ready to learn more get in contact and let us help your organisation to become a safer, more inclusive place to work.