Trans woman
Transwomen or trans-women are transsexual or transgender people who have been identified as members of the male sex since infancy, but believe that this is not an accurate or complete description of themselves and therefore (usually) identify and live as female.
Transwomen who feel that their change of gender and any medical treatments have been completed often prefer to be called simply women and consider transwoman or male-to-female transsexual to be terms that should only used for persons who are still transitioning. However, this usage of women is not completely scientifically accurate because transwomen are, in some ways, not females; for example, they are chromosomal males. However, women does not necessarily refer to biological sex, it can also refer to cultural gender role distinctions. Those who still identify as transwomen after transition often describe themselves as post-op transsexuals as distingusihed from pre-op. Others dislike the term transsexual and prefer to call themselves transgendered (or transgender) woman or simply use transgender as transgender.
Not all transwomen decide to have or desire to have gender reassignment surgery, in which case they may describe themselves as non-op. Some transwomen feel that surgery is only a small part of a complete transition and that transwomen should not be defined by their surgical status.
People of extremely conservative cultural backgrounds or beliefs tend to look upon transwomen as either effeminate gay men who took their effeminacy to an extreme level (if they are attracted to men; see drag queen) or otherwise straight men with an abnormal fetish (if attracted to women). This view is contested: see homosexuality and transgender and autogynephilia.
Sexual orientation
Most recent scientific studies and reports by support groups, help lines, etc. indicate that the percentage of transwomen who consider themselves lesbian, bisexual or asexual is higher than in the general female population. The details, however, differ; with scientific papers usually reporting a higher number of heterosexual-identified transwomen than support groups report.
See also
- Transitioning
- Hormone Replacement Therapy for Transwomen
- Hair removal
- Genital reassignment surgery for Transwomen
- Facial Feminization Surgery
- Other surgical procedures
General transgendered topics
External links
- TS Roadmap -- Resource guide for transsexual women and those aspiring to transition
- Transsexual Women's Successes
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