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| affirmed female | A person who has affirmed their female gender is referred to as a girl/woman, an affirmed female or a female of transgender experience rather than a "male-to-female transsexual" or an "MTF". |
| affirmed male | A person who has affirmed their male gender is referred to as a boy/man, an affirmed male or a male of transgender experience rather than a "female-to-male transsexual" or an "FTM". |
| assigned birth sex | Male genitalia at birth = male. Lack of male genitalia at birth = female. These sex assignments usually result from a simple visual inspection by the physician or midwife delivering the baby. |
| cisgender | The opposite of transgender. A person who's gender identity more or less matches their anatomy and/or socially approved sex role. |
| DNA | DNA stands for DeoxyriboNucleic Acid. DNA contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses. The main role of DNA is the long-term storage of information. |
| feminization | The hormonally induced development of female sexual characteristics. |
| gender identity dysphoria | A clinical diagnosis for someone who feels a strong identification with a gender identity or gender expression that is not the same as their birth assigned sex. The word 'dysphoria' is the opposite of 'euphoria'. It refers to sadness, depression, anxiety, irritability or restlessness. |
| gender non-conforming (also gender variant) | A child or youth who does not adhere to society's rules about dress and activities for people that are based on their assigned birth sex. A gender non-conforming child may choose to present as neither clearly male, nor clearly female, but rather as a gender-free individual. |
| masculinization | The hormonally induced development of male sexual characteristics. |
| post-operative | Refers to a transsexual identified person who has had gender realignment surgery performed. This term is commonly used by trans adults. It has no place in discussions about transgender children. The opposite of pre-operative. |
| sexual orientation | Refers to the gender to which a person is attracted. Opposite-gender attraction (heterosexual). Same-gender attraction (homosexual). Dual-gender attraction (bisexual). A transgender girl, attracted to boys, would therefore be considered heterosexual. |
| suicidal ideation | A common medical term for thoughts about suicide, which may be as detailed as a formulated plan, without the suicidal act itself. |
| transgender | A person who's gender identity or gender expression does not match their anatomy or conform to social and cultural expectations. Transgender or "trans" is an umbrella term inclusive of all gender non-conforming children, youth and adults. The opposite of cisgender. |
| transsexual | A person who's distress over the incongruence between their gender identity and physical anatomy is strong enough to lead them to seek hormonal and/or physical changes to their body in order to bring their gender identity and anatomy into alignment. |
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