What is the difference between transsexual and transgender

In this way, transsexuals can control, to some extent, traits like facial hair and breast development. Transsexuals may also decide to have gender reassignment surgery, in which — to the extent that is possible — the anatomical features of the biological gender are removed and the features of the desired gender are added. These definitions are not strict, however. Some feel that the word transsexual should not always refer to physical changes. And some transsexuals no longer refer to themselves as such after they have finished their transition.

They call themselves either men or women. The words are also complex in light of culture and the passage of time. What is considered typical male or female dress or behavior in one culture may be considered unusual in another. The term transgender can mean different things to different people. There are a number of other labels individuals who are transgender use to describe their gender.

This can be confusing at first, particularly if you or someone you know think they might be transgender. For example, a person who was assigned a female sex at birth and has a male sense of self could be categorized as transgender. A person who was assigned male at birth and has a female sense of self could also be categorized as transgender. Those who are transgender can identify as a woman, man, a combination of both, or something else altogether.

The word transgender can also be used in conjunction with other labels to indicate the gender or sex someone knows themselves to be. For example, someone can identify as a transgender man, a transgender woman, or a transgender nonbinary person. As a rule of thumb, the term transgender provides information about the extent to which someone identifies with the sex they were assigned at birth. The following word often communicates important information about the way someone experiences and understands gender, as well as how they might want to be referred to.

Some transgender people change their appearance, body, name, or legal gender marker to convey and affirm their internal experience of gender. Either way is OK.

Similar to the word transgender, the meaning of the word transsexual can vary from person to person, culture to culture, and across history. It should never be used to refer to the entire transgender community. Further, some transgender people find the word transsexual to be offensive and stigmatizing. This is because of its history and roots in the professional fields of medicine and psychology, which used this term to incorrectly label all transgender people as mentally ill or sexually deviant.

Transgender tends to be more inclusive and affirming than transsexual because it includes the experience of those who pursue medical changes to affirm gender as well as those who do not.

The decision to pursue physical and medical changes can vary from transgender person to transgender person. Your browser does not allow automatic adding of bookmarks. Transgender is an umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which the individual was assigned at birth and falls outside stereotypical gender definitions. It may include pre-operative, post-operative and non-operative transsexual people; male and female cross-dressers; intersexed individuals; and any individuals regardless of sexual orientation who are gender atypical and do not comply with stereotypical gender norms.

The term transsexual often describes an individual who has undergone a sex change operation or who identifies with a gender that is inconsistent with their assigned sex at birth. It is an older term, and is less popular with those identifying with the word, than transgender. The materials and information included in the XpertHR service are provided for reference purposes only.

They are not intended either as a substitute for professional advice or judgment or to provide legal or other advice with respect to particular circumstances.