Non-op
A transgender individual who chooses not to undergo gender-affirming surgery. Vanessa is non-op, but her lack of interest in gender-affirming surgery does not invalidate her transgender identity.
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Non-binary
An umbrella term used to describe someone whose gender identity falls outside of the traditional Western binary; a gender identity that cannot be classified as exclusively male or female. Synonyms: Nonbinary, NB, Enby. Payton is non-binary—their gender identity fluctuates between male and female, and sometimes they feel they don’t have a gender identity at all.
Mx.
A gender-neutral honorific analogous to Ms. or Mr. (Wilson, 2014). Pronounced like “mix.” Wilson, Jessica E. “Gender Terminology Definitions 2014.” Slideshare, 9 March 2015, www.slideshare.net/JessicaEWilson/gender-terminology-definitions-2014
Multigender
A person who identifies as more than one binary and/or non-binary gender (Wilson, 2014). Wilson, Jessica E. “Gender Terminology Definitions 2014.” Slideshare, 9 March 2015, www.slideshare.net/JessicaEWilson/gender-terminology-definitions-2014
Monosexual
A person who experiences sexual attraction only to people of a specific gender (Serano, 2018). Cali is monosexual—they are strictly sexually attracted to men. Serano, Julia. “Julia’s Trans, Gender, Sexuality and Activism Glossary.” Juliaserano.com, 2019.
Misgendering
Deliberately or unintentionally addressing someone, typically a transgender or non-binary person, with pronouns, phrases, names, or references that do not align with the person’s gender identity. Purposeful misgendering is considered degrading and transphobic and may threaten a transgender person’s safety. Zoe dreaded visiting their extended family members, who often misgendered them by calling them by their birth name.
Microdosing
A method of hormone replacement therapy that consists of taking low or reduced doses of exogenous hormones, such as estradiol or testosterone, either over a specified period or indefinitely. Jackson feels the most comfortable taking smaller doses of testosterone to facilitate their transition, so they’ve been microdosing for the past year.
Microaggression
A brief, subtle statement, action, or behavior that reflects and reinforces prejudicial, insulting, and dehumanizing ideas regarding marginalized groups of people. The question “have you lost weight?” may be considered a microaggression, as it implies that the speaker believes the person they’re addressing was formerly overweight.