A state of fluctuating, or shifting, between various genders, depending on a person’s internal state. Genderfluid individuals may or may not change their gender expression, pronouns, and/or name due to shifts in their gender identity. Genderfluid individuals’ expression of their identities may be context-sensitive and/or based on preferences
The external manifestation of a person’s gender identity, which may or may not conform to gender stereotypes and may be expressed through clothing, appearance, behavior, and/or prosthetics. Gender expression or presentation may be masculine, feminine, androgynous, gender-neutral, etc. Jaime’s gender expression was traditionally feminine; they liked to wear dresses, high heels, and make-up.
A gender identity, and/or presentation/expression that transcends commonly held notions of gender within a given society (see: gender binary).
The emotional distress associated with the cognitive dissonance between an individual’s assigned sex and gender, body, and/or social experiences, and their internal, personal experience of gender. May be used as a less clinical and/or pathologizing term for “gender dysphoria” (see: gender dysphoria, DSM-5).
The state of feeling aligned and/or comfortable with the relationship between one’s gender identity and body, gender expression, and/or gender role. Miguel felt a greater sense of gender congruence when binding and wearing loose-fitting clothing, as doing so allowed their gender expression to align more closely with their transmasculine identity.
Describes people sexually and romantically attracted to people of the same gender. The term is sometimes used to refer specifically to men (transgender or otherwise) romantically and sexually attracted to other men. “Gay” has replaced the outdated and clinical term “homosexual” as the preferred label for sexual and romantic same-gender attraction.
A fabric or material designed to tuck one’s genitals against the body, creating a flatter and less conspicuous appearance. Some transfeminine and/or non-binary individuals may wear a gaff to fit into tighter, more form-fitting clothing (see: tucking).
A transgender person who lives and presents full-time as their true gender. Living full-time is being authentic in expressing oneself; the method of living full-time is typically circumstantial and based on personal preferences. Not all transgender people have the resources to guarantee their physical safety should they present full-time as their true gender, and some may be forced to detransition and/or remain closeted in some or all aspects of their everyday lives. After going on HRT for several months, Rachel felt confident presenting full-time as her true gender.
