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Terminology
Many people, who are new to the concept of transgender issues, get lost in the terminology. This is understandable because there is a lot of very specific terminology that we, trans people, use in order to express things clearly.
Here are some key points:
"Transgender" is not a noun
If it is hard to use this word correctly, replace it with “tall” and think how the sentence would make sense.
Incorrect: “This is a transgender.” > “This is a tall.”
Correct: “This is a transgender woman.” > “This is a tall woman.”
"Trans" vs. "Tranny"
“Trans” is the short form of “transgender” so it is perfectly fine to use this word.
”Tranny” is highly derogatory, dehumanizing, and considered a slur.
Transgender people are starting to reclaim “Tranny” and can use it with each other in an endearing way. If you are not transgender, do not use this term.
"The Surgery"
“The surgery” does not exist. There are many different gender affirming surgeries.
Some examples for Male to Female procedures are feminization of the facial bone structure or shaving of the adams apple.
Usually, asking if somebody had “the surgery” means that you are specifically curious if the trans person has or is planning to have a genital surgery. This is not your business, do not ask.
Below you can see a list of the most important terms in regards to transgender topics. This list is by far not complete but if you new to the topic, it will give you a good starting point.
01.
Transgender
A person who doesn't identify with their sex assigned at birth.
Adjective: "This person is transgender."
02.
Trans
Short for "Transgender".
Adjective: "This person is trans."
03.
Tranny / Trannie
This is highly derogatory and a slur. Do not use.
Trans people are starting to reclaim this term and may use it in an indearing way with each other.
If you are not trans, do not use this term.
04.
FTM
Female to Male
05.
MTF
Male to Female
06.
NB / ENBIE / ENBY
Non-Binary. An umbrella term for people who do not identify within the gender binary.
"NB" is also used by the black community to describe people who are not black. So pay attention to context.
07.
Sex
Primary and Secondary sexual organs.
Examples: Ovaries, testicles, vagina, penis, prostate, ...
08.
Gender
Identity. When this does not align with the sex, the person is transgender.
09.
HRT
Hormone Replacement Therapy.
10.
SRS
Sexual Reassignment Surgery.
11.
Top Surgery
FTM: Removing breasts surgically.
MTF: Receiving or enlarging breasts surgically.
12.
Bottom Surgery
Changing the genitals surgically to align with one's gender identity.
13.
to pass / passing
Being read correctly, as the self-identified gender.
14.
Preferred name / preferred pronouns
The name / pronouns that are correct for the person.
Note: The trans community is moving away from using "preferred" in this context as name and pronouns are not preferences. You can say "correct name / pronouns" or simply "name / pronouns".
15.
Misgendering
Adressing someone by a gender other than the self-identified one, regardles of whether this is done on purpose or not.
16.
Sex assigned at birth / Gender assigned at birth
When a baby is born, the doctor looks at the baby and based on the genitals, will assign a sex to the baby. The implication is that the gender was also assigned at this time.
17.
Transition
A person's journey to being content withing the self-identified gender.
This may or may not include a medical transition. Not every trans person will transition in the same way.
Never ask a trans person whether they are going to transition or which specific steps they may be planning. This is a very private matter.