Of course there is then the complication of what you both meant by trans...
Transgender or Transexual
Transgender is a broad, umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity or expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. The term is widely accepted and used in modern contexts.
Transsexual is an older, more specific term that originated in the medical community. It typically refers to individuals who desire to, or have, permanently altered their physical bodies through medical interventions (such as hormones and/or surgery) to align with their identified gender.
Key Differences:Feature Transgender TranssexualUsage: The current, widely preferred umbrella term. Largely considered outdated and potentially offensive.
Scope: Broad, includes all who don't identify with their assigned sex at birth. More specific, a subset of the transgender community.
Medical Transition: A person does not need to medically transition to be transgender. Implies a desire for or completion of physical/medical transition.
Important Considerations:Respect Individual Preference: Some people, particularly older individuals who grew up with the term, still identify as transsexual. It is important to always use the language a person prefers for themselves.
Avoid Misuse: Unless a person specifically uses the term "transsexual" to describe themselves, "transgender" is the appropriate and respectful term to use.
Medical Origin: The term "transsexual" came from medical and psychological fields, which historically classified gender non-conformity as a mental illness. This association is one reason many people in the community reject the term today.
Seems like I should not have used the definition of transexual in my initial post as it is considered outdated. I will learn!
