What does it mean to be transgender? Expand Transgender is an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behaviour does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth.
How can I be supportive of trans family members, friends, or significant others? Expand It's not always easy for partners, family members and friends to deal with the news that someone close to them is trans. However you can be supportive by maintaining and strengthening your relationship with them, if you: Educate yourself about trans issues by reading books, attending conferences, and consulting with transgender experts. Be aware of your attitudes concerning people with gender-nonconforming appearance or behaviour. Know that transgender people have membership in various sociocultural identity groups (e.g., race, social class, religion, age, disability, etc.) and there is not one universal way to look or be transgender. Use names and pronouns that are appropriate to the person’s gender presentation and identity; if in doubt, ask. Don’t make assumptions about transgender people’s sexual orientation, desire for hormonal or medical treatment, or other aspects of their identity or transition plans. If you have a reason to know (e.g., you are a G.P. conducting a necessary physical exam or you are a person who is interested in dating someone you’ve learned is transgender), ask. Don’t confuse gender nonconformity with being transgender. Not all people who appear androgynous or gender nonconforming identify as trans or desire gender affirmation treatment. Keep the lines of communication open with the transgender person in your life. Get support in processing your own reactions. It can take some time to adjust to seeing someone you know well transitioning. Having someone close to you transition will be an adjustment and can be challenging, especially for partners, parents, and children. Seek support in dealing with your feelings. You are not alone. Mental health professionals and support groups for family, friends, and significant others of trans people can be useful resources. Advocate for trans rights, including social and economic justice and appropriate psychological care.
How does someone know that they are transgender? Expand Some people know and fully understand their identities when they are children. For others, it may not be something they fully understand about themselves until later in life. It’s OK not to know, or to be questioning your gender identity. Take time to better understand your gender identity, and if you might be trans. Keep a journal of your feelings. Confide in a close friend or family member that you trust. Explore other trans people's lived experiences. Talk with a counsellor or therapist.
What is 'Bottom' surgery? Expand Bottom surgery or gender affirmation surgery (also known as gender affirming surgery or gender reassignment surgery) is an option for trans women. There are three surgeries that can help a patient surgically transition from being a man to a woman. They are: vaginoplasty, vulvoplasty, and orchiectomy. VAGINOPLASTY During a vaginoplasty surgery, a surgeon creates both an outer and inner vagina by using skin and tissue from a penis. Your surgeon will use skin from the penis and scrotum to build the inner and outer labia of the vagina Your surgeon will create a new opening for the urethra (so you can urinate) Your surgeon will use tissue from your foreskin to build the new opening of the vagina (also called the introitus). VULVOPLASTY The vulva is the outside part of the vagina. A vulvoplasty is a type of surgery that uses skin and tissue from a penis to create all of the outside parts of a vagina (except for the vaginal canal). The steps of a vulvoplasty are the same as a vaginoplasty. During a vulvoplasty, your surgeon will: create a clitoris out of the glans (or head) of the penis, create an inner and outer labia from skin on the penis and scrotum, create the opening of the urethra so you can urinate, and create the introitus (opening of the vagina). The only thing that’s different between a full vaginoplasty and a vulvoplasty is the internal part of the vaginal canal. Vaginoplasty creates a vaginal canal. Vulvoplasty creates all the parts of a vagina except for the vaginal canal. After vulvoplasty, this means you won’t be able to have intercourse or insert a penis into your vagina. ORCHIECTOMY Many transgender patients choose to start their surgical transition process with an orchiectomy. Orchiectomy is a procedure where a surgeon removes the testicles. For transfeminine patients, having an orchiectomy may also make your hormone regimen simpler later on. That’s because after the testicles are removed, the amount of testosterone (or male hormone) that your body makes drops to almost zero. By dropping the amount of testosterone that’s produced by your body, you may be able to take less estrogen. Taking less estrogen may also lower your chances of developing blood clots and other health problems that may be associated with high doses of estrogens. Hormones can be complex. It’s best to talk with your doctor who’s prescribing your hormones before you have an orchiectomy so that you understand exactly how your hormone therapy will change after surgery.
What is 'Top' surgery? Expand Top surgery for transgender men is a surgical procedure to remove your breast tissue (subcutaneous mastectomy).
Do all trans people have gender-affirming surgery? Expand The decision to medically transition is a personal decision that depends on a number of factors that vary for each individual. Therefore, not all transgender people prioritises or desires procedures, such as hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries which is required for a full medical transition.
What is a trans ally? Expand A trans ally is a non-trans person who is committed to using their voice and actions to support and advocate for the equal treatment of people who may have a different gender identity to them or presents their gender in a different way. Learn more
What is the Gender Recognition Act? Expand The Gender Recognition Act 2004 gives legal recognition (to those seeking resolution to their gender variance issues) in their acquired gender. There are a number of criteria which the trans person has to satisfy in order for the Gender Recognition Panel (a judicial body that comprises of lawyers and doctors) to consider their case: have or have had gender dysphoria, and have lived in the acquired gender for two years prior to application, and intend to live permanently in the acquired gender. Following a successful application, a trans person will acquire the rights and responsibilities of their acquired gender from the date of recognition for ‘all purposes’. A Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) will be issued, the birth certificate is automatically replaced, for those whose birth was in the UK.
What pronoun do you use for a transgender person? Expand Whatever pronouns they use for themselves. Most transgender people use pronouns we are most familiar with: He/Him She/Her They/Them If you are unsure, then politely ask. It is important to always use a person’s preferred pronoun, even if they are not present.
What does "gender transition" mean? Expand Transitioning is the process of taking steps to live as one’s true gender identity. Transitioning is different for each individual and may or may not involve medical interventions like taking hormones or having surgery. Transitioning could be going by the Lived Name that affirms their gender identity or going by certain pronouns that affirm their gender identity. Transitioning could involve making changes to one’s physical appearance, such as wearing certain clothing, wearing one’s hair in a different style or length, or more complex changes such as medically transitioning through hormones or surgery. Transitioning can also involve changing legal documents to match one’s authentic sense of self. A trans person’s gender identity is real regardless of their choice to transition or to what extent.
What's the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity? Expand There is no easier way to explain this then:- gender refers to who you are, while sexual orientation refers to who you are attracted to. Trans people can be straight, lesbian, gay or bisexual just the same as everyone else
What is gender dysphoria? Expand Gender dysphoria describes the feelings of distress some people experience due to a sense of incongruence between one’s assigned sex at birth and one’s gender identity. There are different varieties of dysphoria, shaped by a person’s environment and can be influenced by the perceptions and behaviors of others. Gender dysphoria can change in nature and degree with different contexts and other factors. Gender dysphoria is not the same as being transgender. Everyone experiences dysphoria differently. Many trans people also experience gender euphoria, which is feeling affirmed in one’s gender identity.
Can I ask a trans persons what their previous name was? Expand It is very impolite to ask trans people what previous names they might have had, what they used to look like or whether they have a Gender Recognition Certificate.
Are trans people protected under the Human Rights Act? Expand The principles of the Human Rights Act 1998 are woven into the Gender Recognition Act (GRA), and the Act requires trans people to be treated with dignity and respect with regard to their need for privacy and all other principles within the Act.
Are trans people protected under the Equality Act 2010? Expand Trans people of any age are protected under the gender reassignment characteristic. You do not need to have legal gender recognition or have medically transitioned.
What is the Equality Act 2010? Expand The Equality Act 2010 provides the legal framework that protects you from discrimination. There are 9 protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010: age disability gender identity and gender reassignment marriage or civil partnership (in employment only) pregnancy and maternity race religion or belief sex sexual orientation.
How do I apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate? Learn how to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate. Expand In order to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate under UK Law, you will have to provide the following: Under current UK law, trans people applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate have to provide: the completed form their original birth certificate their deed poll “Proof” that you’ve “lived in your acquired gender” for 2 years (this takes the form of your passport, driving licence, bills, payslips, other correspondence) 2 medical reports, one of which has to be a medical practitioner from the “approved list”. Please note that you may have to pay a fee for each medical report. A fee of £140 - (Help in paying the fees) If you need further advice in the application process, please contact the Gender Recognition Panel: Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 300 1234 503
What is a transphobic hate crime? Expand If someone has been hostile or violent towards you because of your trans identity, then this is deemed a transphobic hate incident.....read more
What is Phalloplasty (FTM)? A brief description of female-to-male gender affirming surgery. Expand Phalloplasty is part of the female-to-male gender-affirming surgery, where the penis is constructed surgically. For more detailed information, please explore The Centre for Transgender Health - John Hopkins Medicine
What is Metoidioplasty (FTM)? Expand Metoidioplasty or 'Meta' for short, is a surgical procedure that creates a penis using existing genital issue. It is an alternative option for those who do not want to undergo Phalloplasty.
What is Conversion Therapy? Expand Conversion Therapy - sometimes called "reparative therapy" or "gay cure therapy" - tries to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. (NHS England)
What is Chestfeeding? Expand Physically, chestfeeding is exactly the same as breastfeeding. Hormones trigger the body to make milk, the milk travels through glands and ducts ending at the nipple to feed a baby Chestfeeding is used in the community of people who have recently given birth but don’t identify as women. They may be transgender people who were assigned female at birth but who now identify as men, or people who are non-binary People who do identify as female may also prefer "chestfeeding" because of physical or emotional trauma related to their breasts. To them, the word "chest" is not as triggering as "breast" may be
What do I Do if I Experience hate Crime? Expand If someone hurts or harms you because of prejudice, it's called a hate crime. Hate crimes include things like: Hitting, beating or physically attacking someone Yelling insults or threats Damaging someone's property on purpose Bullying or harassing someone online or in person You should report hate crimes to the police. This helps the police know to handle it differently. There are safe ways to report it, even if you want to stay anonymous. You can submit a report online or have someone else report it for you. Reporting it as a hate crime means the police will do special things like: Take it more seriously Get victim support services to help you Try to prevent it from happening again You don't have to handle hate crimes alone. There are many people ready to help support victims of hate crimes and prejudice. Please consider reporting it even if you want to remain anonymous. Reporting helps stop more hate crimes.