Dictionary

While compiling my research for this project, it dawned on me that I've taken it for granted that people will automatically be familiar with some terms, which may not be the case. I decided to come up with a small 'dictionary' type post that will hopefully clear up a few things.

Cisgender: Identifying as the sex/gender you were assigned at birth.

Cross-dresser: Wearing clothes that would stereotypically be associated to the opposite gender, though without having any desire to transition to that gender.
Note: Drag queens are not cross dressers (see Drag Queen)

Drag King: Females that dress as females for entertainment purposes.

Drag Queen: Males that dress as females for entertainment purposes.

Gender: More of the expressive side of sex- how someone feels and expresses themselves in terms of male/female/between.

Genderqueer: Identifying as not completely male or female.

Hermaphrodite: Born with both male and female sex organs.

Pseudohermaphroditism: Having secondary sex characteristics that are not associated with the primary characteristics.

Queer: An umbrella term used to identify many of the LGBT community.
Note: Has derogatory roots.

Intersex: Born with chromosomes, genitalia or reproductive systems that are not completely male or female.

Sex: Appointed at birth (male or female) based on physical anatomy, though is actually determined by anatomy, hormones, DNA amongst other things.

Sex Characteristics (Primary): Sex/reproductive organs.

Sex Characteristics (Secondary): Things like breasts, body/facial hair, build, voice pitch etc that are associated with one gender but not necessary for reproduction.

Transgender: Identifying as a gender different from that assigned at birth, can be shortened to trans.

Transgender Man: A trans person who currently identifies as male, known as FTM, female-to-male.

Transgender Woman: A trans person who currently identifies as female, known as MTF, male-to-female.

Transsexual: An individual desiring to change their physical sex.