Trans 101
Pride of Indy Bands, Inc. serves as a musical and educational resource to the Central Indiana community. We are comprised of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, & LGBT-friendly musicians, and we conduct our activities in a supportive, accepting, and affirming atmosphere. In support of our affirming atmosphere, this page is provided as an educational resource about our trans community.
What does “Transgender” mean?
Transgender is a term that is used to describe people whose gender identity, their internal sense of gender, differs from the sex that they were assigned at birth. Transgender is an umbrella term, meaning that it covers a number of different identities. Someone who is transgender may identify as binary trans or as non-binary, and they may identify with any number of identities beyond that.
Being transgender refers to someone’s gender identity, which is separate from their gender expression, sex, and sexual/romantic orientation.
What are pronouns?
Pronouns are how we refer to a person when not using their name. Common pronouns are he, she, and they, but there are many new pronouns that are gaining popularity with non-binary individuals.
Why do pronouns matter?
Pronouns matter because they are the easiest way to affirm a person’s gender and make them feel comfortable in a situation. Using a person’s correct name and pronouns also helps communicate that you acknowledge and respect their identity.
How do I know which pronouns to use/how to use them?
If you aren’t sure of someone’s pronouns, just ask! Most people will be fine with answering this question, and if the pronouns they use are uncommon or you aren’t familiar with how to use their pronouns in context, most people will be willing to give an example. The chart below gives examples of some different pronouns and how to use them.
What is Deadnaming?
“Deadnaming” is when someone uses a trans person’s “deadname,” or their old/given name, when they have been asked to use a new name. Sometimes, when a person is getting used to new names and pronouns, deadnaming can happen by accident, out of habit. Other times, a person will use someone’s deadname in order to hurt them, which is never okay.
What should I do if I use the wrong pronouns/name for someone?
If you accidentally use the wrong pronouns/name for someone, the best thing to do is to correct yourself in that moment. Try not to draw too much attention to the mistake, as this can often bring up an uncomfortable subject, or can end up outing someone who isn’t open about their gender identity. A quick switch (He said- I’m sorry, she said…) is often just enough to fix the mistake. If you feel like you need to apologize to the person about the mistake, it’s best to bring it up later and in private to avoid making them uncomfortable.
It’s important to remember that even though some pronouns are commonly associated with a specific gender, pronouns do not define gender.
Just because a person uses “she” pronouns, for example, does not necessarily mean that they identify as a woman.
Commonly Used Terms:
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Agender: Literally translates to “without gender.” It can be seen either as a non-binary gender identity or as a statement of not having a gender identity.
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Androgynous: A mix of male and female expressions to a point where neither is predominate or gender is ambiguous.
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Bigender: Denoting or relating to a person who sense of personal identity encompasses two genders.
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Birth Sex: Gender assigned at birth based on appearance of genitalia and chromosomes present.
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Bisexual: Sexually attracted to both men and women.
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Cisgender: Denoting or relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds with their birth sex.
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FAB: Female at birth
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Female-to-male (FTM) or transman: Someone who was assigned female at birth but identifies as male.
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Gender Dysphoria: When the disconnect between a person’s gender/biologically assigned gender and their perception of self gender causes an impairment of daily functioning; this label may be used in a clinical diagnosis
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Gender Expression: This is how we express ourselves. It may or may not match common traits of a gender that the person identifies.
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Gender Fluid: Category for gender identities which are not exclusively masculine or feminine; identities which are outside the gender binary and cis-normality.
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Gender Identity: Gender is how we see ourselves. It is a person’s internal, deeply held sense of their gender.
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Gender Nonconforming: Gender expression by an individual that does not match masculine and feminine gender norms.
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Gender Questioning: When an individual is in the process of exploring their gender, sexual identity, and/or sexual orientation; used by individuals who may be unsure of their identity and/or concerned about applying a social label to themselves for various reasons.
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Gender Variant: Someone who does not subscribe to conventional gender distinctions but identifies with neither, both, or a combination of male and female genders.
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Genderqueer: Someone who does not subscribe to conventional gender distinction but identifies with neither, both, or a combination of male and female genders.
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GSM: Gender and sexual minorities, term some prefer over LGBT as it does not include cisgender and heterosexuals.
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Intersex: An individual born with ambiguous genitalia and/or reproductive anatomy that is not consistent with a typical female or male. Internal and external anatomy may not match. This is NOT the same as transgender.
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LGBTQIA: Abbreviation used indicate the community of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual/Bigender, Transsexual/Transgender, Questioning/Queer, Intersex, and Ally/Agender/Asexual individuals.
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MAB: Male at birth
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Male-to-female (MTF) or transwoman: Someone who was assigned male at birth but identifies as female
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Non-binary: Someone who could have been assigned as male or female at birth, but does not identify as either. Gender expressions may vary (i.e. individual may present as male, female, or androgynous).
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Pansexual/Polysexual: Not limited in sexual choice with regard to biological sex, gender, or gender identity.
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Queer/Questioning, Undecided, Intersex, Lesbian, Transgender/Transsexual, Bisexual, Allied/Asexual, Gay/Genderqueer (QUILTBAG): term used as a more inclusive acronym than LGBT
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Sexual Orientation: A spectrum of attraction to others.
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SSM: Same sex marriage
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Transgender: Gender identity that is not the same as assigned at birth.
Community Resources:
National Center for Transgender Equality
Revel & Riot, Non-profit organization for LGBTWQQ equality
Trans Student Educational Resources
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network Support Gay Rights
National Organization for support of children of LGBT parents
Indiana Trans Youth Family Allies
National Center for Lesbian and Gays
Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
A national project to add policies in schools to protect LGBTQ students