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The idea that cisgender people are more natural, valid, and “normal” than their transgender counterparts, resulting in social norms, laws, and individual behaviors that reinforce the gender binary and consequently marginalize, oppress, and/or erase the existence of transgender people (see: cisnormativity). Cissexism is based on the presumption that a person’s assigned sex and gender inherently…

Slang term for when a transgender person’s birth assignment, thus their transgender identity, is recognized by an outside observer, potentially posing a threat to the transgender individual’s safety. Jasmine worried about being clocked as trans whenever she used a public restroom.

An individual who has not disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity to others, sometimes for safety purposes. Because of their unaccepting family members, Dylan decided to remain closeted about their gender identity until they moved out of their mother’s house.

The act of accepting and/or disclosing one’s true gender identity or sexual orientation to others, which can occur during any phase of life. In the former scenario, social, legal, and/or physical transition may accompany coming out. Coming out as non-binary was liberating for Dex, but it also made them worry about transphobic backlash from family…

The practice of attempting to permanently “cure,” or eradicate, same-gender attraction and/or gender variance, often through coercive methods. Historically, queer identities have been referred to as “unnatural” or a “disorder.” As a result, people who do not as heterosexual and/or cisgender are oftentimes instated into conversion therapy to “cure” people of their “illness.” This abusive…

An individual who wears clothing, jewelry, and/or makeup not traditionally associated with their assigned gender for the sake of self-expression, recreation, performance (see: drag), and/or erotic enjoyment (LGBT Health Education Center, 2019).