This is the Trans* 101 training presentation developed by and for members of the Metro Trans Umbrella Group.

1. Presenter: *Insert Name Here*

2. Overview
• Define Trans*
• Discuss
– Gender Binary
– Gender Identity
– Gender Expression
• Difference Between Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
• Outline Some Commonly Used Gender Identities
• Ways to Ask Questions
• How to Refer to a Trans* Individual Appropriately
• Common Myths and Stereotypes
• Things to Avoid
• Q & A

3. What does Trans* even mean?
• Trans* is an “Umbrella Term”
• Encompasses all who do not conform to the
gender binary

4. But, what is the Gender Binary?
• The cataloging of sex and gender into two distinct
and disconnected forms of masculine and feminine.
What is Cisgender?
• Individuals who’s self-perception of their gender
matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
What are Gender Roles?
• The public image of being male or female that a
person presents to others.
– Note: These will be different depending on location/culture.

5. Wait, gender identity and gender
expression are different?
• Gender Identity is how
someone identifies their
own gender.
– Boy
– Girl
– Transgender
– Gender Queer
– Etc
• Gender Expression
refers to how a person
expresses their gender.
– Clothing
– Mannerisms
– Behavior
– Speech Patterns
– Etc

6. Fact or myth: Gender identity
determines your sexual
orientation?
MYTH!
A person’s gender identity may help develop a
label for their sexual orientation but it does not
determine who they may be attracted to.

7. Difference between Gender Identity
and Sexual orientation?
• Sexual orientation describes an individual's
enduring
physical, romantic, emotional, and/or
spiritual attraction to another person.

8. Fact or Myth: Gender and Sex are
not the same thing.
FACT!
Sex refers to a person’s biological anatomy
where as gender refers to a person’s
psychological identity.

9. Gender Identities (not all inclusive!)
• Transgender (Adjective):
– Identifies with a gender other then their birth
assigned gender.
• Proper use: They are Transgender.
• Improper: They are a Transgender.
• Never use as past tense.
• Male to Female/Female to Male (Adjective):
– Someone who was assigned one gender at birth
but identifies with the opposite gender.

10. Gender Identities (not all inclusive!)
• Gender Queer (Adjective):
– Refers to a person who feels that their gender
changes or is fluid.
• Intersex (Adjective):
– Describes a person whose biological sex is
ambiguous.
• Androgynous/Gender Neutral (adjective):
– Neither masculine nor feminine.

11. List of Gender Expressions (not all inclusive!)
• Feminine
• Masculine
• Drag
• Butch
• Femme
• Cross-Dresser
• Androgynous

12. Sex/Gender/Sexual Orientation
Triangle
Sex
(Body/Biology)
• Chromosomes, genitals, hor
mones, reproductive
organs, secondary sex
characteristics.
Gender
(Culture)
• Gender expression, gender
roles, gender identity
• Gender
conforming, transgender
• MTF, FTM, Gender
Queer, man, transsexual, w
omen
Sexual Orientaion
(Attractions/Relationships)
• Sexual desire, sexual behavior, sexual identity.
• Asexual, gay, pansexual, two
spirit, heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian, etc.

13. If I have a question for a Trans*
person, how should I address them?
First off, try to self-reflect.
Why are you asking the question?
Is it something you need to know?
Is it a topic you could research on your own?
Is it appropriate for the relationship you hold with
them?
Note: Being curious is natural but always be respectful.

14. If I have a question for a Trans*
person, how should I address them?
• Before asking specific questions, always seek
permission from the individual.
• Do not assume a person is taking specific
actions in relation to their gender identity.
• Start with questions like, “Where are you in
your journey?” in order to avoid making
assumptions.

15. How to refer to a Trans* person
• Always use their preferred
name/pronoun/gender, or avoid using specific
references at all.
 If you don’t know…ask politely!

16. Example
Original Sentence:
“She called and said she would be late to her game.”
New Sentence:
“From our phone call conversation, I was informed
they would be late to the game.”

17. How to refer to a Trans* person
• Always use their preferred
name/pronoun/gender, or avoid using specific
references at all.
 If you don’t know…ask politely!
• If you “slip up” don’t make a big deal about it.
 Apologize, correct yourself, and move on.

18. Example
“We were just talking and she said…
I’m sorry, he said we would go get dinner
first.”

19. How to refer to a Trans* person
• Always use their preferred name/pronoun/gender, or
avoid using specific references at all.
 If you don’t know…ask politely!
• If you “slip up” don’t make a big deal about it.
 Apologize, correct yourself, and move on.
• Avoid “Non-pliments.”
 those are intended compliments that can be taken
offensively

20. Examples
• “Wow! For a chick/dude, you look really
good!”
• “I would have never guessed you were born a
girl/boy!”
• “You look so much better than that other
person who transitioned…”
• “You look waaaaay better now than you did
before…”

21. Common Stereotypes and Myths
• Trans* people are mentally-ill and/or confused.
• People who identify as one particular identity
will want the same things and have the same
narratives.
• Trans* people are hyper sexual.
• Most Trans* people have been abused.
• All Trans* people will seek medical
interventions.
• All people’s gender identities and expressions
are congruent.

22. Try to avoid saying…
• “Are you sure about this?”
• “This is just really hard for me…”
• “If you did this, it would help you pass better
as a man/women.”
• “Trans* people are so attractive/sexy!”
• “Everyone is Trans* these days…”

23. Bottom line:
People who identify as Trans* are just like
everyone else and they want the same things:
To be loved,
respected,
and treated like any other human being…

24. Questions?