Transgender People


Usually, if you are male, you don't think about it much. It feels
normal. And, for most girls, it feels very natural to be female. But
that's not true for everyone. Transgender people who are male feel they
should be female, and transgender girls feel they should be male.

People who are transgender feel like they're living inside a body
that's all wrong for them. They often say they feel "trapped in someone
else's body."

What Does It Mean to Be Transgender?



When you think of yourself as male or female, it's called gender identity. Everyone has a gender identity — the inborn sense of ourselves as being male or female.

Most people's gender identity matches their anatomy. But people who
are transgender feel different from their physical appearances.

What society expects of us as men, women, boys, and girls also
affects what we feel about ourselves. Every culture has "rules" about
what is expected for men and what is expected for women. These
expectations can include things like hairstyles, clothing, and jobs —
and how people should act or behave.

Society doesn't have to state these "rules." Everyone knows them
because we see them all over. So most of us grow up believing men should
act a certain way and women should act a certain way without thinking
about it much. Transgender people, though, have a very different sense
of themselves.

Some transgender people know they feel "different" from the time
they're young kids. Others start sensing it around puberty or even
later. When people who are transgender become aware that they feel
mismatched with their bodies, they may feel confused and emotionally
conflicted.

Some people decide to physically change their bodies — through
surgery or taking hormones — to match the gender they feel they really
are. Physically becoming the opposite gender can be a long, complicated,
and expensive process.

Not everyone decides to get surgery or hormones, though. Some
transgender people are most comfortable keeping their physical anatomy
but dressing as the opposite gender. Some aren't completely sure what
they want yet, but may start by asking to be called a new name and use
the pronouns that go with that name (such as "Amanda" instead of
"Anthony" and "she" instead of "he").

Once transgender people start living their lives as the opposite
gender, many issues may come up — like how to fill out forms that
require checking "female" or "male," and even which public bathrooms to
use.

As with any group, not all transgender people want or think the same
things. It all depends on what that particular person needs to feel most
comfortable in both body and mind.What's in a Name?



The word transgender doesn't only mean that a person identifies with
the opposite gender. It also can be used by people who don't feel like
they're either completely male or completely female.

In addition to transgender, people use other words to describe
feeling different from the gender they were born with. These words can
include gender variant, MTF (for male to female), or FTM
(for female to male). Some people don't want to be called by any of the
terms that are typically used to describe people who are questioning
their gender. They just want to be known as who they are, unique in
their own special way.

Are Transgender People Gay?



Being transgender is not the same thing as being gay.

Being transgender is about gender identity — the way you see yourself and the gender you identify with. Being gay or lesbian is about sexual orientation — the gender you are attracted to.

Many gay and lesbian people are comfortable with their gender. They
don't want to be a different gender from what they are. They're just
attracted to people of the same sex they are.

Because sexual orientation is a different thing from gender identity,
a transgender teen can be straight, gay, or bisexual — just like other
teens can.

Are People Who Dress as the Opposite Sex Transgender?



People who dress in clothes that are usually associated with a
different gender are sometimes called cross-dressers (or transvestites).
Not all people who dress as the opposite sex are transgender. Some are,
of course. But lots of people who cross-dress are making a clothing
choice for fun, comfort, or as a way to express their personal style —
not because they see themselves as the other gender.What Causes People to Be Transgender?



Many health experts believe that being transgender isn't caused by
any one thing. We don't know what makes a person comfortable or not
comfortable with his or her anatomy. After all, experts don't know why
most males are comfortable with being male and most females are
comfortable being female. They believe it's the result of a complex
mixture of biology, psychology, and environmental factors — and not
simply a matter of choice.

What Does the Future Hold for Transgender Teens?



The idea that people can feel that they are in the wrong gender
bodies is something that many people have never heard of — or don't
understand. Being transgender is something some people feel
uncomfortable thinking or talking about.

For people who are transgender, the realization that they feel
different from others also can be very difficult. They may face
rejection, discrimination, and even anger from people who don't
understand transgender identity, and it can be a challenge to deal with
others' reactions. Not everyone is tolerant or accepting, and
transgender teens can face situations that can feel hostile and be
unfair. This may lead to feelings of depression and isolation.

Advocacy groups and a growing number of health professionals are
committed to helping transgender people find acceptance, support,
rights, and care. Many expert medical centers are available to help
transgender people address the complex physical and emotional issues
they might face.

Like everyone, transgender people want to feel accepted, understood, and supported.