There are many conflicting definitions used in the area of transgender issues. At the base of it is the apparently binary nature of human gender, male and female. Societies have evolved to treat people in particular ways based on the nature of their genitals, society expects individuals to behave certain ways based on their genitals. These societal expectations form what is known as gender. It is grounded in the basic reproduction method of the human species and humanities social nature. However it is artificial as biology is not as conveniently binary as society would often like, and society has a habit of punishing things that it cannot cope with.

Occasionally people are born with genitals that do not match the binary, more often in fact than many appreciate. These individuals are labelled as intersexed and there are several biological causes for such conditions. Intersex individuals are a visible and obvious example of where the artificial nature of a binary gender based on a sexual reproductive system breaks down.

Often people are born who are uncomfortable with the binary gender role expected of them even when there is nothing indeterminate about their genitals. The degree of this discomfort can vary greatly and people’s methods for coping with it can also vary greatly. At present the causes of this phenomenon are not well understood. There is some evidence that point to a biological cause due to levels of hormones at crucial points in the development of baby in the womb. However whatever the cause it is becoming clear that this sense of discomfort cannot just be wished away. For some people this sense of discomfort is so extreme it will lead them to attempt suicide. Transgender issues effect both those assigned male and female at birth and many start to experience the sense of discomfort at a very early age, some recognise it as feeling they have been assigned the wrong gender while others just have a sense of wrongness and distress, which often grows as the get older rather than lessens.

The degree to which someone is comfortable living in the binary gendered world as the gender they were assigned at birth based on their genitals, and the methods they employ to try to cope with any discomfort has lead to various classifications of transgendered people. However these classification should not be seen as absolute, someone may cope for years employing one coping strategy then find that method fails and they have to find another. This can cause a lot of problem, especially for loved ones, significant others and families when someone they think they know and understand changes before their eyes. It can be very distressing for all concerned. The transgendered person as well as feeling the discomfort of not fitting within binary gendered society often also feels a deep sense of self-loathing, shame and guilt for the hurt they are causing those around them.

Typically the term transsexual is used for someone who finds they need to live in the opposite binary gender to the one they were assigned at birth. They undergo transition from one gender to the other, and live full time in the new gender. This may be assisted by medical intervention such as hormone treatment and surgery but this is not always the case.

The term transvestite is typically used for someone who presents in their birth gender most of the time, at work and socially to their family but who also presents as the opposite gender some of the time. This could be socially or only in private to themselves. Sometimes this presentation of the opposite gender is linked to individual’s sexual expression exclusively and for all other aspects of their life they can cope living with their assigned gender, but it is still a vital method for them to cope with their gender discomfort.

Other terms are used for people who feel differently, some do not feel they can fit into the binary gender system at all and feel a need to identify as neither male or female, some identify as a third gender others as none-gendered. Individuals like this are often referred to as androgynies or neutrois.

Transgendered individuals sometimes try to extend what is socially accepted within the existing gender binary. People who adopt the clothes or behaviours of typically assigned to the opposite gender while still presenting as their birth gender are often called cross-dressers. Typically in western culture it is much harder to identify as female as a cross-dresser as females generally have more options for dress.

The important thing to realise it that being transgendered is not a choice,, and for most, the method of coping with being transgendered is also not a choice either. For many transgender people it is a journey of discovery and they my attempt several methods before finding one that brings them congruence.

Diversitay runs a trans group for all people affected with trans issues whether they are the transgendered person or the partner, family and friend of a transgendered person. We meet once a month for a chat, in an attempt to create a space were people can discuss transgender issues, in a non-judgmental and safe environment. More information can be found on our events page.

Diversitay was in 2010, awarded National Lottery money to promote and to some degree, facilitate a regular trans group. This group is open to trans people and their significant others. If you would like to come along to this, or have any ideas how to publicise this, or what format the group should take, then please get in touch. Information about getting in touch is on the CONTACT page, and information about the group ( TransTay ) is on the events page.