The conceptualization or interpretation of an idea based on a collective perspective established within a group of people or society, which may or may not reflect objective reality (Oxford, 2020). The idea of the gender binary is a social construct since different gender configurations exist in various societies throughout the world.
A form of medical gatekeeping that requires transgender individuals to present full-time as their true gender for a designated amount of time before receiving a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria or pursuing medical transition (see: DSM-5). When Dawn transitioned twenty-five years ago, her therapist asked her to present for a full year as her actual gender in order to attain “real-life experience” before permitting her to start hormone replacement therapy.
Gender is a multi-faceted social system generally based on the norms, behaviors, and societal roles expected of individuals based primarily on the binary sex they were determined to be at birth, based on the appearance of their external genitalia. Gender identity describes a person’s self-perceived gender. Gender expression is how a person presents or conveys their gender to the world. Gender roles are the societal expectations of how people should act, speak, dress, groom, and conduct themselves based on their assigned sex.
Refers to someone observing an individual’s appearance to determine one’s gender identity. Reading may be considered invasive (see: clocking).
Slang term for TERF, or trans-exclusionary radical feminist.
Any behavior, action, or belief system that intentionally or unintentionally degrades, victimizes, dehumanizes, and/or harms an individual of a marginalized racial group, including the false belief that a person’s temperament, intellectual abilities, talents, etc., are dependent on their race. Racism may consist of overt actions, statements, and/or institutional practices; it may also involve unconscious biases against people of marginalized races.
The process of exploring and/or identifying an individual’s gender identity or sexual orientation. Kayla began questioning her gender identity as a teenager when she found that wearing conventionally feminine clothing made her feel more comfortable and confident in her body.
A gender identity or sexual orientation that deviates from cisgender, heterosexual identities, norms, or practices (Wilson, 2014). In some contexts, “queer” may be used as a pejorative term; on the other hand, some TLGBQ+ people have reclaimed the title as an empowering description of their gender identity and/or sexual orientation. Wilson, Jessica E. “Gender Terminology Definitions 2014.” Slideshare, 9 March 2015, www.slideshare.net/JessicaEWilson/gender-terminology-definitions-2014
