An umbrella term for people whose gender identity or expression differs from societal expectations based on their birth sex. It is used as an adjective (e.g., "transgender person"), not a noun or verb.
Understanding the community begins with accurate language that respects individual identity.
The distress some people feel when their body or assigned sex does not align with their gender identity. History and Cultural Evolution
Transgender people have always existed, but the terminology and visibility have evolved significantly. Understanding the Transgender Community - HRC
Identity is one's internal sense of being (male, female, non-binary, etc.), while expression is how they communicate that identity through clothing, behavior, or voice.
Identities that fall outside the traditional male/female binary. While many non-binary people identify as trans, not all do.
The transgender community is a diverse group of individuals whose internal sense of gender differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Transgender history is a global phenomenon documented for thousands of years, yet the community currently faces significant legislative and social challenges. Foundational Terminology