What does it mean to be Transgender?

The transgender community is growing, with more and more people worldwide coming out as their true selves. With the movement for acceptance growing, many are asking: what does it mean to be transgender?

Someone who is transgender doesn't identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. This could mean someone who was assigned male at birth (AMAB) now identifies and presents as a woman, or the other way around (AFAB). These terms, AMAB and AFAB, are popular within the community as ways for individuals who no longer identify with their gender assigned at birth to connect with others who are going through the same struggles.

Although many transgender people identify only with that label, there are many who go by many. Someone AMAB may grow up believing they're straight- only after realizing she identifies as a woman does she realize she's a lesbian.

There are also transgender people who don't identify with any gender, but choose to transition. Someone AFAB may choose to transition to present more masculine, but go by they/them pronouns.

There are many different aspects to the transgender community, and every individual is different. With more time and acceptance, soon everyone will be able to live as their true selves.