JARGON BUSTER 'T'

TRANS - An umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) transgender, transsexual, gender-queer (GQ), gender-fluid, non-binary, gender-variant, crossdresser, genderless, agender, nongender, third gender, two-spirit, bi-gender, trans man, trans woman, trans masculine, trans feminine and neutrois.

TRANSFEMME - An umbrella term for trans people who are transitioning towards, or identify with feminine gender identities. It is mostly used to described people who were assigned male at birth, but do not identify, or only partially identify as, male. This could include trans women, non-binary, bi-gender, genderfluid, genderqueer people (although not everyone who uses those labels will consider themselves transfemme).

TRANSGENDER MAN - Used to describe someone who is assigned female at birth, but identifies and lives as a man. This may be shortened to trans man, or FTM, an abbreviation for female-to-male.

TRANSMASCULINE (TRANSMASC) - An umbrella term for trans people who are transitioning towards, or identify with masculine gender identities. It is mostly used to described people who were assigned female at birth, but do not identify, or only partially identify as, female. This could include trans men, non-binary, bi-gender, genderfluid, genderqueer people (although not everyone who uses those labels will consider themselves transmasc).

TRANSGENDER WOMAN - Used to describe someone who is assigned male at birth, but identifies and lives as a woman. This may be shortened to trans woman, or MTF, an abbreviation for male-to-female.

TRANSITIONING - The steps a trans person may take to live in the gender with which they identify. Each person’s transition will involve different things. For some, this involves medical intervention (such as hormone therapy and surgeries), but not all trans people want - or are able - to have this. Transitioning also might involve things like telling friends and family, dressing differently and changing official documents.

TRANSPHOBIA - The fear or dislike of someone based on the fact they are trans, including the denial/refusal to accept their gender identity (or use their correct pronouns).

TRANSSEXUAL - Used in the past as a more medical term (similarly to homosexual) to refer to someone who transitioned to live in the ‘opposite’ gender to the one assigned at birth.

TREATMENT - Treatment means how you will be helped to get better. Treatment could include the use of medication, talking therapies or getting involved in activities.

TRIBUNAL - For mental health matters a tribunal is an independent panel of people who can make a decision whether you should remain in hospital or not. You or your solicitor can apply to the Tribunal for a hearing.