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Transgender
Transgender describes someone whose gender differs from the sex assigned at birth. Say a transgender person, not “a transgender”. Medical treatment is not required.
MTC / LEXICON / 01—35
Transgender definitions. Words for real connection.
Transgender definitions help you understand a person, not put them in a box. Explore gender identity, attraction and respectful language at your own pace. At MyTransgenderCupid, a good introduction starts with listening.
Explore the glossary ↘35 terms. Many individual stories.
A person comes before a label.
You do not need to learn every word before saying hello. Use the name someone shares, respect their privacy, and ask rather than assume.
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Identity
Who I am
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Expression
How I present
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Attraction
Who I am drawn to
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Gender identity & expression
Gender identity describes who you are. Gender expression is how you present yourself. Neither tells the whole story of attraction.
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Trans woman
A trans woman is a woman assigned male at birth. Appearance, documents or medical history do not make her more or less a woman.
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Trans man
A trans man is a man assigned female at birth. Follow his own words rather than assumptions about his body or transition.
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Cisgender
Cisgender means gender aligns with the sex assigned at birth. It describes gender, not sexual orientation, and is not the opposite of non-binary.
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Non-binary
Non-binary describes genders that are not exclusively woman or man. Some non-binary people also identify as trans; others do not. Pronouns vary.
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Agender
Agender can describe having no gender or little connection to gender. It is a self-description, not something to assign from appearance.
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Genderfluid
Genderfluid describes a gender experience that changes over time. It does not determine orientation, relationship intentions or pronouns.
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Genderqueer
Genderqueer describes gender beyond, between or challenging conventional categories. It can overlap with non-binary, but the words are not interchangeable for everyone.
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Gender identity
Gender identity is someone's own sense of their gender. A dating profile, photograph or voice cannot tell you everything about it.
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Gender expression
Gender expression is how someone presents gender through clothing, voice or hairstyle, for example. It does not reliably reveal identity or attraction.
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Sex assigned at birth
Sex assigned at birth is the classification recorded at birth, usually based on observed physical traits. It differs from gender identity and orientation.
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AMAB and AFAB
AMAB and AFAB mean assigned male at birth and assigned female at birth. They describe an assignment, not current gender or anatomy.
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Intersex
Intersex describes variations in sex characteristics, such as anatomy, chromosomes or hormones. It is not an orientation or a synonym for transgender.
Sexual orientation & attraction
Sexual orientation describes attraction. These words can help people express themselves, but no label predicts chemistry between two individuals.
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Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes patterns of attraction. Gender concerns who someone is; orientation concerns who may attract them. Trans people can have any orientation.
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Bisexual
Bisexual commonly means attraction to more than one gender, including trans and non-binary people. Attraction need not be equal or experienced identically.
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Pansexual
Pansexual often describes attraction regardless of gender. It can overlap with bisexuality. Neither label excludes trans people or means attraction to everyone.
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Asexual
Asexual describes little or no sexual attraction, across varied experiences. It does not automatically mean no romance, intimacy, sex or relationship interest.
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Aromantic
Aromantic describes little or no romantic attraction. It differs from asexuality. Companionship, intimacy or a committed relationship may still matter.
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Queer
Queer is an umbrella word or identity used by some LGBTQ+ people. It also has a history as a slur: follow personal preferences.
Gender transition & wellbeing
Gender transition and wellbeing are personal. These are brief explanations, not treatment instructions or a checklist someone must complete.
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Gender transition
Gender transition can involve social, legal or medical changes to live as oneself. There is no compulsory sequence, procedure or finish line.
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HRT and gender-affirming care
HRT means hormone replacement therapy. Gender-affirming hormones are one care option, not a requirement. Individual treatment belongs with qualified clinicians.
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Gender dysphoria
Gender dysphoria refers to distress related to gender incongruence. Not all trans people experience it. Being trans itself is not a mental illness.
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Gender euphoria
Gender euphoria describes joy or comfort when gender feels recognised or expressed affirmingly. A name or an everyday moment can bring it.
Pronouns, privacy & respect
Pronouns, privacy and respect matter in everyday conversation. Someone’s body or history is not an icebreaker they owe you.
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Pronouns
Pronouns include she, he and they. Use the pronouns someone gives you. Asking politely is better than guessing from appearance.
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Deadnaming and misgendering
Deadnaming means using a former name someone no longer uses; misgendering means incorrect gendered language. Correct mistakes briefly and continue respectfully.
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Coming out, disclosure and outing
Coming out or disclosure means sharing identity information. Outing reveals it without consent. Protect privacy and never pressure a date to explain their history.
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Passing and stealth
Passing means being perceived as a particular gender; stealth usually means keeping a trans history private. Neither is a duty or authenticity test.
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Ally
An ally supports LGBTQ+ people through listening, respecting names, challenging prejudice and protecting privacy. You can care without knowing every word.
Cultural & older terminology
Cultural and older terminology needs context. Learning a word does not mean it is appropriate to use for every person.
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Transsexual
Transsexual is an older term some people choose for themselves. Do not impose it or define someone by whether they have had surgery.
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MTF and FTM
MTF and FTM mean male-to-female and female-to-male. Trans woman and trans man are often clearer, unless someone prefers otherwise.
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Cross-dressing
Cross-dressing means wearing clothes conventionally associated with another gender. It does not by itself indicate gender identity or sexual orientation.
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Drag
Drag is performance involving gender presentation. Performers can have any gender or orientation. Drag performance and being transgender are different things.
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Two-Spirit
Two-Spirit is culturally specific to some Indigenous North American people. Meanings vary between communities; it is not a universal synonym for trans or non-binary.
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Ladyboy and kathoey
Ladyboy and kathoey occur in particular cultural contexts, especially Thailand, but are not exact equivalents of trans woman. Follow individual self-description.
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Offensive or outdated terms
Offensive or outdated terms such as “shemale” should not address someone. Choose their name and own identity words instead.
Questions about gender terms
What does transgender mean?
Transgender means a person’s gender differs from the sex assigned at birth. It does not tell you their sexuality or require hormones or surgery.
Does bisexual include non-binary people?
Yes. Bisexual commonly means attraction to more than one gender and can include non-binary people. Ask someone what their own label means to them.
Are gender identity and sexual orientation the same?
No. Gender identity concerns your own gender; sexual orientation concerns attraction. You cannot infer one from the other.
How do I ask about pronouns on a date?
You can share your own pronouns, then ask what pronouns the other person uses. Keep it relaxed, accept the answer, and avoid questions about old names or anatomy.
Sources & editorial care
Reviewed by the MyTransgenderCupid editorial team on 18 October 2026. Terminology varies across cultures and changes over time. This is an educational glossary, not medical advice or a medical review.
MYTRANSGENDERCUPID