What is the difference between transgender and transsexual?

Sometimes transsexual is used to imply that a person has or desires to have some sort of gender affirmative surgery, while transgender is sometimes used as an umbrella term in the same way that trans is used on this website (Cooper, 112). Like many other words, the specific meanings transgender and transsexual vary with time, location, and the individual. Before assuming that someone uses any word to identify their gender, it is respectful to ask them which words they use to identify their gender.

The argument has been made that the difference between transgender and transsexual lies in making a distinction between gender (culture/performance) and sex (bodies/biology).* On the contrary, transgender rights activist and lawyer Dylan Vade claims there is no "meaningful difference" between sex and gender and any definition "that pit biology against psychology or the body against the mind...denigrates transgender peoples' self-identified genders."

Here is a visualization of three different gender theories which demonstrate that there are several ways to conceptualize gender.

An infographic displaying three different theories of gender. On the left is Gender Essentialism. This theory states that gender and sex are interchangeable, a binary, and dictated by biology. The next theory is the Sex/gender/sexual orientation triangle. This theory states that each of those facets are separate and unique. The third theory is the Post Modern Theory of Gender. It states that gender is the combination of biology and culture.

Next: What pronouns should I use?

See a word you've never seen before? Check out the definitions page.

*More information can be found on "What is the difference between trans people and gay, lesbian, or bisexual people?"