A transgender (often shortened to trans) person is someone whose gender identity differs from that typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth.[2]
Being transgender is distinct from sexual orientation, and transgender people may identify as heterosexual (straight), homosexual (gay or lesbian), bisexual, asexual, or otherwise, or may decline to label their sexual orientation.[9] The opposite of transgender is cisgender, which describes persons whose gender identity matches their assigned sex.[10] Accurate statistics on the number of transgender people vary widely,[11] in part due to different definitions of what constitutes being transgender.[5] Some countries collect census data on transgender people, starting with Canada in 2021[12][13][14][15]. Generally, less than 1% of the worldwide population is transgender, with figures ranging from <0.1% to 0.6%.[16][17]
^Bevan 2014. "The term transsexual was introduced by Cauldwell (1949) and popularized by Harry Benjamin (1966) [...]. The term transgender was coined by John Oliven (1965) and popularized by various transgender people who pioneered the concept and practice of transgenderism. It is sometimes said that Virginia Prince (1976) popularized the term, but history shows that many transgender people advocated the use of this term much more than Prince." Referencing Oliven 1965, p. 514.
^Polly & Nicole 2011, p. 57. "The use of terminology by transsexual individuals to self-identify varies. As aforementioned, many transsexual individuals prefer the term transgender, or simply trans, as it is more inclusive and carries fewer stigmas. There are some transsexual individuals, however, who reject the term transgender; these individuals view transsexualism as a treatable congenital condition. Following medical and/or surgical transition, they live within the binary as either a man or a woman and may not disclose their transition history."
^ abFranklin 2014, p. 740. "Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identities, gender expressions, and/or behaviors are different from those culturally associated with the sex that they were assigned at birth. Transgender encompasses a wide variety of identities including, but not limited to, transsexual, genderqueer, bi-gender, third gender, cross-dresser, and drag king/queen."
Petersen & Hyde 2010, p. 486. "Transgender is a broad term characterized by a challenge of traditional gender roles and gender identity [...] For example, some cultures classify transgender individuals as a third gender, thereby treating this phenomenon as normative."
Towle & Morgan 2013, p. 666. "The authors note that, increasingly, in social science literature, the term third gender is being replaced by or conflated with the newer term transgender."
Reisner et al. 2014, p. 99. "Transgender was defined broadly to cover those who transition from one gender to another as well as those who may not choose to socially, medically, or legally fully transition, including cross-dressers, people who consider themselves to be genderqueer, androgynous, and those whose gender nonconformity is a part of their identity."
^Economic Commission for Europe Conference of European Statisticians. "In-depth review of measuring gender identity"(PDF). United Nations Economic & Social Council. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
^Lamm & Eckstein 2015, p. 745. "Many transgender people experience gender dysphoria – distress that results from the discordance of biological sex and experienced gender. Treatment for gender dysphoria, considered to be highly effective, includes physical, medical, and/or surgical treatments [...] some [transgender people] may not choose to transition at all."