【 What Does Transgender Mean? 】 Transgender is a gender identity. A transgender person has a gender identity that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, someone who was assigned female at birth may identify as male, or someone assigned male at birth may identify as female. Some transgender people may also identify as nonbinary or another gender identity. ⊹ Important ideas ⊹ ✦ Gender identity is about how someone understands and experiences their own gender. ✦ Being transgender is not the same as sexual orientation. ✦ Every transgender person’s experience is different. ✦ Some transgender people may socially or medically transition, while others may not. ⊹ Common experiences ⊹ ↪ Some transgender people openly share their identity. ↪ Others may keep it private or take time before telling others. ↪ Many people find support through friends, family, online spaces, or LGBTQIAN+ communities. ↪ Some transgender people change their name, pronouns, appearance, or style to better reflect their identity. ⊹ Respect and inclusion ⊹ ➷ Respecting someone’s name and pronouns ➷ Avoiding assumptions about gender ➷ Listening to how people describe themselves ➷ Creating safe and welcoming environments ⊹ Community and visibility ⊹ Transgender people have existed throughout history and across many cultures. Visibility, education, and advocacy have helped increase awareness and understanding of transgender identities. ● Stonewall Riots — a major event connected to modern LGBTQ+ rights movements. ● Pride Month — celebrates identity, community, and equality.
