Glossary of Terms

Transgender: An umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth.

Gender Identity: Refers to a person’s internal sense of being male, female or something else;

Gender Expression: Refers to the way a person communicates gender identity to others through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, voice or body characteristics.

“Trans”: Used as shorthand for “transgender.” While transgender is generally a good term to use, not everyone whose appearance or behavior is gender-nonconforming will identify as a transgender person.