9. Glossary Broader context
General terms
It is important to understand the larger framework
Cisgender or Cis - A contested term used to describe
within which the trans discussion occurs.
someone whose subjective sense of gender identity is the same as the sex they were at birth. The opposite of
Sex (biological sex) - The definition of a person as male or female based upon sex organs, reproductive capacity and chromosomes. Surgery (often called ‘transitioning) or the use of hormones does not alter biological sex.
transgender. (cis = on the side of.) Gender - This is becoming a more contested term and historically was often used interchangeably with sex. Today it is generally used to refer to the psychological, social and cultural aspects of being male or female and includes gender identity and expression. The
Sex = female – intersex – male
World Health Organization defines it as “the socially
Gender identity - A person’s perception of
constructed characteristics of women and men – such as
having a particular gender, which may or may
norms, roles and relationships of and between groups of
not correspond with their birth sex.
women and men.”xlviii
Gender identity = woman – genderqueer/non
Gender dysphoria - The discomfort or distress a
binary – man Gender expression - How a person expresses or publicly presents their subjective sense of gender. Gender expression = feminine – androgynous – masculine Sexual attraction/orientation - Relates to who a person is attracted to based on their sex/ gender in relation to other persons. Sexual orientation = heterosexual – bi/pan/ asexual – homosexualxlvii
person experiences due to a sense of ‘mismatch’ or incongruence between their gender identity and their biological sex. Gender fluidity - Used by people who do not experience their sense of gender as fixed to either male or female but fluctuate on a continuum between the two. Gender Recognition Certificate - A document allowing a person legal recognition under a new gender. Gender reassignment - Medical intervention beginning with puberty blockers if appropriate and cross-sex hormones. Surgery can include complete hysterectomy, bilateral mastectomy, chest reconstruction or augmentation, genital reconstruction and certain facial plastic reconstruction.
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