Gender identity is a person’s sense of their gender. They can be a woman, man, combinations of these, or something else. Some people feel like no gender identity fits for them, and that’s ok too. Somebody’s identity can change. As time goes by, how much or little someone identifies with man-ness, woman-ness, and as other genders can change. People can be transgender, and identify as a gender other than what people said they were based on their body. They can also be cisgender, and happy with the gender assigned to them.
Gender has nothing to do with biology or science. People made it up to fit their ideas of what and how people should be. It can vary from place to place, culture to culture. Gender roles are society’s ideas about men and women. They can be things like ‘men must be strong’ and ‘girls should dress in pink’. Gender rules tell people how people should and shouldn’t dress, act, or live their lives. These ideas put restrictions on how people live their lives and express themselves.
What does transgender mean?
If someone is transgender, the gender they identify as is different from the gender they were assigned at birth. So, if someone was born with a penis, the doctor might have said “it’s a boy,” but growing up, that person might realize that she’s a girl.
Many trans people may know early on that they don’t fit with the gender that people think they are. Some people find out later in their lives or take longer to know for sure. Either way, they also might not feel comfortable telling people they love.
Some people identify as non-binary. This means they’re not a man or a woman. There’s a big range of non-binary people. Some identify as trans and others don’t!
Some people are agender, not identifying with any particular gender. Other people may identify ‘between’ or other than a man or woman. They can use gender identities like genderqueer, bigender, non-binary, genderfluid or other words. Each means its own thing!
Hormones and surgery
Some transgender people choose to take hormonal therapy. MTF (Male to Female) transgender people born with a penis can take estrogen to make their body appear more ‘feminine’. FTM (Female to Male) transgender people can take testosterone to make their body appear more ‘masculine’.
Some people also choose to get gender confirmation surgery. This can change someone’s chest, privates, or other parts to help them feel more comfortable in their body.
What’s the difference between gender identity and gender nonconforming?
Gender nonconforming means someone’s gender identity doesn’t always match how they like to dress or act. Whether they’re transgender or cisgender, anyone can still be gender non-conforming. So a transgender woman might sometimes like wearing a suit or a cisgender man might like to talk in a voice he sees as feminine.
Where can I learn more or get help?
If you think you might be trans or you’re helping someone who is, you have lots of options. There are many organisations supporting young transgender people and you can look below for details on some you can use in Montreal. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can text ask us at 514 700-4411!
