Many people find it difficult to understand that these are two completely unrelated, different items.
Most simply put, your gender identity is who you feel you are (regardless of anatomy); male, female, a mixture of both, or neither male nor female.
Sexual orientation is who you are attracted to; again this could be male, female, both or neither male nor female.
This can be a bit tricky at times, but a good general rule of thumb is to take the proper cue from the way the individual is presenting him or her self.
In other words, if the individual is dressed in attire typical to one gender, and displays behavior and mannerisms of that gender then the answer should be clear as to which pronoun to use.
If you are still uncertain you may be able to derive your cue by asking what their name is. In situations where an individual might have a more gender neutral name that could apply to either gender you could respectfully ask how they wish to be addressed
(though some individuals would not appreciate the question).
What if you know someone who is transitioning and they’ve informed you of the gender change and possibly even a new name?
Be respectful. Once you have established the preferred pronouns and new name be mindful not to say the wrong one; it would be insensitive.
Interested in learning more about transgender issues?
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This informational brochure provided courtesy of:
T R A N S G E N D E R E D U C A T I O N
A D V O C A T E S ( T E A ) O F U T A H
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Copyright © 2007 by Transgender Education
Advocates of Utah
T

Transgender people are perhaps the most stigmatized and misunderstood of the larger minorities (Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual). Transgender deals with gender and sex. In their most simple forms, sex is determined by what is between your legs, and gender by what is between your ears.
Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe people who have gender identities, expressions or behaviors not traditionally associated with the gender determined at their birth. Transgender can also mean anyone who transcends the conventional definitions of “man” and “woman”.
Thus transgender also includes “butch” women, effeminate men, drag queens and kings and many other kinds of gender variant individuals who use a variety of terms to self-identify.
It has only been recently, within the last few years, that transgender has truly been included with other marginalized groups in action toward equality.
Perhaps it is because educational efforts are happening all around the world, as more transgender people are finding their voices.
The widespread media on transgender issues can be found over the internet, in books and other publications, on television, and even in the local movie theater.
Transgender:
An umbrella term used to encompass all manifestations of crossing gender barriers. It includes all who cross dress or otherwise transcend gender norms, and all others who wish to belong.
Transsexual:
An individual whose physical gender determined at birth is not congruent or in alignment with the gender they psychologically and emotionally identify as. These individuals may seek to modify their bodies by hormone therapy and/or Gender Reassignment Surgery
(GRS).
Intersex:
A condition where a child was born exhibiting some form of “indeterminate” genitalia, a combination of both male and female genitalia, reproductive organs or ambiguous chromosomes.
FtM or MtF:
Abbreviations used to describe female to male or male to female transgender people.
Transman:
A term commonly used by FtM individuals to self describe that focuses on the gender they are rather than what was determined at birth.
Transwoman:
A term commonly used by MtF individuals to self describe that focuses on the gender they are rather than what was determined at birth.
Pre-op Transsexual:
One who feels their anatomy should be altered to correspond with their gender identity; may live full time in that gender, but hasn’t yet had Gender
Reassignment Surgery (GRS) - or may never be able due to health or financial concerns.
Post-op Transsexual:
One who has had GRS and lives full time, often preferring to drop the label as it refers primarily to their transition.
Cross dresser:
The preferred term for one who enjoys dressing as their opposite sex; a part-time activity which can involve a degree of exploration into gender identity.
Female or Male Impersonator:
Persons who cross dress as a performing art and/or as stage personalities. They may also consider themselves “drag performers” and may or may not consider themselves to be transgender.
Drag Queen/King:
A man or woman dressed as the opposite gender, many times overdone or outrageous and may present a “stereotyped image”. Performers are often lesbian or gay.
Genderqueer, bi-gender & non-gender:
Individuals that may or may not identify as one or the other in a binary gender system and many times will assume a mixture of male and female dress and characteristics, combining elements of both.