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.
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.
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?"
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?"