It is not the goal of this FAQ to go into every detail of Gender Identity. Entire books have been written to try to cover this topic. The goal is to give you, the reader, an idea of what this is about.

What is Gender Identity and why is it different from Sexual Orientation?

Gender Identity is a person's internal self-awareness of being male for female. It is an innate part of who you are.
Sexual Orientation is an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual or affectional attraction to another person.

Gender Identity has nothing to do with Sexual Orientation and vise versa. It is not that a gay male is so gay that he wants to be a woman or that a woman is so gay she wants to be a male. It is possible to have a male who exhibits feminine traits and is sexually oriented to women and still self identifies male. It is also possible to have a female exhibiting masculine traits and is sexually oriented towards men and still self identifies female. Just as those are possible and be sexually oriented towards same sex partners. Though Sexual Orientation is commonly associated with Gender Expression, the two are separate and distinct.

Gender is not socially constructed, Gender Roles are socially constructed. Society does not dictate gender or gender identity; Gender is innate. Society dictates expectations for gender performance and presentation. Then society tries to confine that behavior to these expectations. This causes extreme anxiety in a transsexual because those expectations are inconsistent with the Gender they identify with.

What Causes a Person To Have a Particular Gender Identity?

Some people think that gender is fixed and unchangeable. That everyone is either a man or a woman, male or female. Gender, sex and identity are far more complex than the description of one's physical self! Gender identity is determined by many factors, the most important of which is considered by some to be emotional, psychological and even spiritual, rather than physical. Additionally, research is now starting to show that a transgender person's brain, during fetal development, develops in the pattern which is opposite to that of his or her physical sex.

Is Gender Identity a choice?

No one can choose their Gender Identity. It is an inherent part of your being. Gender Identity and expression begins to emerge as early as age 3. It is not uncommon for a transgender person to express that they "knew" from a very early age. And though we can choose on how we cope with our gender identity and even try to ignore it and live contrary to it, no one can choose their gender identity.

Why is the "Coming Out" process difficult for transgender persons?

Simply put, it is terrifying.

For a transgender person, like for a gay person, it may or may not be a difficult process. But, when coming out to someone, the transgender person does not know how someone will respond to it. There is the very real threat of violence, social ostracization with the loss of friends, family, employment, housing, and medical insurance. And no matter how many times we heard this growing up, sticks and stones will break my bones, AND WORDS REALLY WILL HURT YOU. Especially when they come from friends and family.

Why do some transgender persons choose not share.

Being transgender is a very personal condition. Society has taught the transgender person to be ashamed of themselves. Initially, many try to concele it because of the very real threat of violence, social ostracization with the loss of friends, family, employment, housing, and medical insurance.

For a transsexual in the process of transition it becomes even harder. Unlike being closeted, where no one really has to know your personal life, a person who begins to confront and take action on the inconsistency between their gender and gender identity, is hard pressed to hide it. Your presentation and name changes legally as well as your gender, which means a loss of work and credit history. Every company you do business with has to be notified about the change. You have to go to the BMV, Social Security Office, Banks, Credit Card Companies and Utility Companies. Your appearance changes, but not all at once. There is a awkward period where you do not present well as either gender, and in some cases never present well as your identified gender. Even after transition, the very real threats continue

What should I say if I meet someone who I think is transgender?

Say "Hi". They will understand you. Pay attention to their name and what they say about themselves. Please do not bring attention to your suspicions. It will just be embarrassing and bring unwanted attention to a transgender person if you are correct. And if you are wrong, what then?

Terms to know

CD - Abbreviation for cross-dresser -- which is the act of wearing clothing commonly associated with another gender within a particular society.
ftM - Abbreviation for female-to-Male transsexual -- a person given the sex marker of female at birth however gender identifies Male.
GID - Gender Identity Disorder - A condition identified by psychologists and medical doctors wherein a person who as been assigned one gender at birth identifies as belonging to another gender.
Intersexed - People who were born with some combination of both female and male physical traits. 4% of all births in the US have some form of gender ambiguity.
mtF - Abbreviation for male-to-Female transsexual -- a person given the sex marker of male at birth however gender identifies Female.
Transition - Describes the time period during which a person undergoes a change in their gender presentation through a combination of dress, mannerisms, hormones, surgery.
Transman - An identity label sometimes adopted by ftM transsexuals to signify that they are men while still affirming their history as transsexuals.
Transsexual - A person who identifies psychologically as a gender/sex other than the one to which they were assigned at birth. (This term is also often used to describe transgender people who have or will undergo transition).
Transwoman - An identity label sometimes adopted by mtF transsexuals to signify that they are women while still affirming their history as transsexuals.

What issues do transgender people face?

No Legal Protection - There is little to no protection. In cities where protection for lesbians and gay men exist, they generally do not cover Transgender people. There are very few communities that explicitly state "gender identity" or "gender expression" in their protection clauses".
Insufficient Medical & Insurance Services - The lack there of are common themes in the Transgender community. Many medical providers are uneducated on the subject. Most insurance companies, employee health plans and HMO's specifically exempt coverage for counseling, sex reassignment surgery, hormones and electrolysis.
Violence - Violence against Transgender folks can be particularly brutal. A widely publicized example occurred in 1993 when Brandon Teena, an FTM, was raped and later murdered when two men found out he was born female.
Social & Economic - Social & Economic Marginalization frequently accompanies the Transgender experience. With reduced educational and employment opportunities because of harassment faced in both settings, Transgender people are commonly subject to discrimination, homelessness, unemployment and poverty.
Prejudice - Prejudice toward Transgender individuals is widespread. There is a long-held view on the part of medical providers and the public-at-large that Transgender folks are pathological. This, in itself constitutes one of the most significant barriers to services and support.

"I ask myself, in mercy, or in common sense, if we cannot alter the conviction to fit the body, should we not in certain circumstances, alter the body to fit the conviction?" -- Dr. Harry Benjamin, M.D