Editing Gender transition (section)

==Terminology==
This page uses topic-specific vocabulary. Below are some definitions to make this page more accessible:

=== Identity-related terms ===

* '''[[Assigned gender at birth]]''' ('''AGAB''') is a term that refers to the sex or gender assigned to people when they are born. As people are assigned a gender at birth in regards to their physical characteristics, an assigned gender does not account for one's internal gender identity. 
* '''[[Gender expression]]''' refers to the external presentation of one's gender identity. Typically, a person's gender expression is thought of in terms of [[masculinity]] (a [[tomboy]], a [[Butch and femme|butch lesbian]], a [[drag king]]) or [[femininity]] (an [[Effeminacy|effeminate male]], a '[[femboy]]', a [[drag queen]]), but an individual's gender expression may incorporate [[Androgyny|both feminine and masculine traits]], or neither. One may express their gender through clothing, behavior, hair styling, voice, etc.<ref>{{Citation |last=Edelman |first=Elijah Adiv |title=Gender Identity and Transgender Rights in Global Perspective |date=6 November 2019 |work=The Oxford Handbook of Global LGBT and Sexual Diversity Politics |pages=61–74 |editor-last1=Bosia |editor-first1=Michael J. |editor-last2=McEvoy |editor-first2=Sandra M. |editor-last3=Rahman |editor-first3=Momin |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190673741.013.24 |access-date=17 March 2023 |publisher=Oxford University Press |doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190673741.013.24 |isbn=978-0-19-067374-1|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Carabez |first1=Rebecca |last2=Pellegrini |first2=Marion |last3=Mankovitz |first3=Andrea |last4=Eliason |first4=Mickey |last5=Scott |first5=Megan |date=12 August 2015 |title=Does your organization use gender inclusive forms? Nurses' confusion about trans* terminology |journal=Journal of Clinical Nursing |volume=24 |issue=21–22 |pages=3306–3317 |doi=10.1111/jocn.12942 |issn=0962-1067 |pmid=26263919 |doi-access=free}}</ref> It is not necessarily related to one's gender identity.
* '''[[Gender identity]]''' refers to the personal sense of one's own [[gender]]. It may correlate with the gender assigned at birth, or differ from it. In most individuals, gender identity is congruent with their assigned gender. Those who do not identify with their birth gender may identify as ''transgender''.
* '''[[Gender dysphoria]]''' refers to the distress a person experiences from a mismatch between their [[Gender identity|internal gender identity]] and their [[Sex assignment|gender assigned at birth]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Human Rights Campaign |author-link=Human Rights Campaign |title=Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Definitions |url=http://www.hrc.org/resources/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-terminology-and-definitions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125033133/http://www.hrc.org/resources/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-terminology-and-definitions |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |access-date=June 13, 2021}}</ref><ref name="MorrowMessinger">{{cite book |title=Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression in Social Work Practice: working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people |date=2006 |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] |isbn=978-0-231-50186-6 |veditors=Morrow DF, Messinger L |location=New York |page=8 |quote=Gender identity refers to an individual's personal sense of identity as masculine or feminine, or some combination thereof.}}</ref> People who suffer from gender dysphoria may ''transition'' in order to alleviate this distress.
* '''[[Cisgender]]''' is an adjective that refers to individuals who identify the gender assigned to them at birth. Cisgender people may have any [[sexual orientation]] or [[gender expression]]. 
* '''[[Transgender]]''' is an adjective that refers to individuals who identify with a gender that differs from the one assigned to them at birth. Transgender people may have any sexual orientation or gender expression.
* '''[[Non-binary gender|Non-binary]]''' is a term that refers to a gender identity described as neither entirely male nor female (not one of the two binary sexes). Non-binary people may suffer from gender dysphoria, and may consider themselves transgender. Non-binary people may have any sexual orientation or gender expression.
* '''Transitioning''' refers to the process of [[Gender affirmation|affirming]] and [[Gender expression|expressing]] one's [[Gender identity|internal sense of gender]], as opposed to the gender [[Sex assignment|assigned to them at birth]]. There are two major facets of gender transitioning: a social transition, and a medical transition; almost all transgender people will socially transition, and most will undergo some degree of medical transition{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}. See the opening paragraphs for further information on social and medical transitioning.
* [[Detransition|'''Detransitioning''']] (sometimes also known as '''re-transitioning''') is the cessation of transgender identity and/or a transition to a different gender, often to one's natal gender.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 August 2013 |title=Transitioning Back To One's Assigned Sex At Birth |url=http://transadvocate.com/transitioning-back-to-ones-assigned-sex-at-birth_n_9946.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920093038/http://transadvocate.com/transitioning-back-to-ones-assigned-sex-at-birth_n_9946.htm |archive-date=2017-09-20 |access-date=1 September 2017 |website=The TransAdvocate}}</ref>

=== Medical-related terms ===
It is important to note that most transgender individuals will receive few, if any, surgeries throughout their lifetimes and some may never receive HRT. Barriers to accessing medical transitioning can include: a lack of financing, a lack of desire, or a lack of accessibility. There is no one way to transition, and while a medical transition or surgery can absolutely be medically necessary for some individuals' personal wellbeing, no two transitions are the same.

* [[Puberty blockers|'''Puberty blockers / hormone blockers''']] are terms that refer to medications used to block natal sex hormones. For transgender youth, hormone blockers may be offered at the onset of puberty to allow the exploration of their gender identity without the distress<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last1=Turban |first1=Jack L. |last2=King |first2=Dana |last3=Carswell |first3=Jeremi M. |last4=Keuroghlian |first4=Alex S. |date=1 February 2020 |title=Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation |url=https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/145/2/e20191725/68259/Pubertal-Suppression-for-Transgender-Youth-and?autologincheck=redirected |pmid=31974216 |access-date=2024-07-21 |journal=Pediatrics|volume=145 |issue=2 |doi=10.1542/peds.2019-1725 |pmc=7073269 }}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last=Lambrese |first=Jason |date=2010-08-01 |title=Suppression of Puberty in Transgender Children |url=https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/suppression-puberty-transgender-children/2010-08 |journal=AMA Journal of Ethics |language=en |volume=12 |issue=8 |pages=645–649 |doi=10.1001/virtualmentor.2010.12.8.jdsc1-1008 |issn=2376-6980 |pmid=23186849|url-access=subscription }}</ref> of [[Puberty|irreversible pubertal changes]]. Puberty blockers are considered reversible<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Rölver |first1=Angela |last2=Föcker |first2=Manuel |last3=Romer |first3=Georg |date=2022 |title=Desisting from gender dysphoria after 1,5 years of puberty suppression: A case report |department=Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |journal=University Hospital Münster |volume=1 |issue=2 |doi=10.1016/j.psycr.2022.100049|doi-access=free }}</ref> and their use is deemed safe and effective<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rew |first1=Lynn |last2=Young |first2=Cara C. |last3=Monge |first3=Maria |last4=Bogucka |first4=Roxanne |date=February 2021 |title=Review: Puberty blockers for transgender and gender diverse youth—a critical review of the literature |url=https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/camh.12437 |journal=Child and Adolescent Mental Health |language=en |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=3–14 |doi=10.1111/camh.12437 |issn=1475-357X |pmid=33320999|url-access=subscription }}</ref> as treatment for gender dysphoria in gender-diverse children<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Giordano |first1=Simona |last2=Holm |first2=Søren |date=2020-04-02 |title=Is puberty delaying treatment 'experimental treatment'? |journal=International Journal of Transgender Health |language=en |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=113–121 |doi=10.1080/26895269.2020.1747768 |issn=2689-5269 |pmc=7430465 |pmid=33015663}}</ref> and [[precocious puberty]] in [[cisgender]] children;<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Eugster |first=Erica A |date=May 2019 |title=Treatment of Central Precocious Puberty |journal=Journal of the Endocrine Society |volume=3 |issue=5 |pages=965–972 |doi=10.1210/js.2019-00036 |pmc=6486823 |pmid=31041427}}</ref> their use may be discontinued at any time if natal puberty-blocking is no longer desired.<ref name=":2" /> For transgender adults, hormone blockers may be offered in a course with cross-sex hormone replacement therapy in order to treat gender dysphoria. 
* [[Transgender hormone therapy|'''Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)''']] is a medical treatment that replaces the primary sex hormones in one's body, in order to develop the secondary sex characteristics of the opposite sex. Individuals seeking masculinizing HRT are prescribed the male sex hormone [[testosterone]], while individuals seeking feminizing HRT are prescribed the female sex hormone [[estrogen]].
* [[Transgender voice therapy|'''Voice therapy''']] (or '[[Transgender voice therapy|'''voice training''']]') refers to a ''non-surgical'' gender-affirming treatment for the masculinization or feminization of one's voice.  ''Transfeminine people'' will not experience any impact on voice pitch from feminizing hormone therapy (unless their natal puberty was sufficiently blocked), so voice training is very often underwent in order to learn how to speak in a higher and more feminine register.  ''Transmasculine people'', on the other hand, will experience a marked lowering in pitch from masculinizing HRT (testosterone) to an often cisgender male level, so vocal masculinization training is uncommon outside of those who have not underwent masculinizing HRT. Irrespectively, vocal masculinization training can help one learn to speak in a lower and more masculine register. 
* [[Transgender voice therapy#Vocal surgeries|'''Voice surgery''']] refers to a ''surgical'' treatment that allows for the masculinization or feminization of one's vocal pitch.  ''Transfeminine people'' can undergo voice surgery to surgically increase their pitch range. Transmasculine people very uncommonly undergo voice surgery, as masculinizing HRT (testosterone) often lowers voices to a cisgender male pitch. Irrespectively, vocal masculinization surgery can be underwent to surgically decrease their pitch range.
* '''Facial surgery''' refers to any gender-affirming surgery underwent on the face. There exists [[Facial masculinization surgery|facial masculinization]] and [[Facial feminization surgery|facial feminization]].
* '''[[Gender-affirming surgery#Other surgeries|Top surgery]]''' refers to any gender affirming surgeries performed on the breasts.  In transmasculine individuals, this may be a [[Mastectomy|double mastectomy]] (removal of breast tissue), and/or a '[[male chest reconstruction]]'. In transfeminine individuals, this may be a [[breast augmentation]].
* '''[[Bottom surgery]]'''<nowiki/> refers to any gender affirming surgeries performed on the genitalia. In transmasculine individuals, this may be a [[hysterectomy]] (removal of the [[uterus]]), and/or a [[oophorectomy]] (removal of the [[ovaries]]). A penis can be constructed through [[metoidioplasty]] or [[phalloplasty]], and a [[scrotum]] through [[scrotoplasty]]. In transfeminine individuals, this may be a [[penectomy]] (removal of the penis), [[orchiectomy]] (removal of the testicles), [[vaginoplasty]] (construction of a vagina), and/or a [[vulvoplasty]] (construction of a vulva).

=== Social-related terms ===

* '''Going 'full-time'''' refers to the act of living everyday life as one's identified gender.<ref name="social transition">{{cite web |title=TransWhat? • Social transition |url=https://transwhat.org/transition/socialtrans.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108001521/http://transwhat.org/transition/socialtrans.html |archive-date=2017-11-08 |access-date=2017-10-29 |website=transwhat.org}}</ref> People who go full-time may or may not pass, and may or may not keep their transgender identity a secret.
* '''[[Passing (gender)|Passing]]''' refers to the perception and recognition of trans people as their desired gender identity by outsiders who may not know they are transgender. For many trans people, passing is a very important aspect of their transition often seen as an 'end goal'. Passing can greatly alleviate gender dysphoria. Failure to pass can cause serious repercussions for trans people's psychological well-being and safety, including but not limited to: [[Depression (mood)|poor mental health]], [[Transgender discrimination|discrimination]], increased barriers to medical care{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}, harassment, fetishization, ostracization, increased risk of homelessness, and [[Trans bashing|targeted violence]] due to increased visibility of one's transgender status.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transgender-Specific Issues: Passing {{!}} Responding to Transgender Victims of Sexual Assault |url=https://www.ovc.gov/pubs/forge/transgender_passing.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007191104/https://www.ovc.gov/pubs/forge/transgender_passing.html |archive-date=2019-10-07 |access-date=2019-10-07 |website=www.ovc.gov}}</ref>
* '''Going 'stealth'''' refers to the act of living as one's identified gender without revealing oneself to be transgender.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Urquhart |first1=Evan |title=For Many Trans Men in the South, Going "Stealth" Makes the Most Sense |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/06/why-trans-men-in-the-south-go-stealth.html |website=Slate Magazine |access-date=February 25, 2022 |language=en |date=June 29, 2018 |archive-date=February 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225041747/https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/06/why-trans-men-in-the-south-go-stealth.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In some countries, being stealth may be a safety necessity, due to health, safety, and wellbeing risks of being openly transgender.