Resources
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Agender
A person who does not identify themselves as having a particular gender may feel as though they fall outside of the gender spectrum. Some agender people may define their gender as neither male nor female, while others may consider themselves genderless (i.e., they do not possess a gender at all). Agender people may or may…
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Androgen
A group of masculinizing hormones (such as testosterone) that are either produced endogenously by a person’s body or administered exogenously via injections, tablets, topical gels, and/or subcutaneous implants.
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Androgyny or Androgynous
A term often used to reference a person’s outward gender expression, although it is occasionally used to describe someone whose gender identity falls outside of the gender binary. When applied to gender expression, androgyny may involve appearances that combine conventionally masculine and feminine traits, or gender presentations that fall outside of the binary.
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Antiandrogen
A medication that inhibits the effects of endogenous androgens (such as testosterone) on the body by either blocking androgen receptors and/or suppressing androgen production. Spironolactone is an example of a medication with anti-androgenic properties—it is occasionally prescribed to some transgender people who undergo hormone replacement therapy.
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Aromantic
A person who generally does not experience intimate amorous or passionate feelings for others and may not be interested in pursuing romantic relationships. Note, however, that aromantic people are perfectly capable of experiencing platonic and familial love, as well as enjoying sexual intimacy. Interestingly, the term “aromantic” did not become associated with its present-day meaning…
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Asexual
An individual who does not experience sexual feelings or desires (not to be confused with celibacy, in which a person experiences sexual attraction but purposefully declines to act on these desires). People who are asexual may feel romantic attraction toward others but may not have any interest in, or desire for, sexual intimacy. Jason considered…
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Assigned Gender
Refers to the legally denoted gender assigned to newborn children based on external primary sex characteristics. In modern-day Western culture, a person’s assigned sex is typically conflated with their gender identity, which consequently defines a person’s gender role and its associated expectations. Assigned gender is based on the appearance of a person’s genitals and is…
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Assigned Sex
See Assigned Gender.