Identifying as Trans

What does being trans mean?

Trans is a short form for the term transgender. It can be sometimes used as an umbrella term, including identities like transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer, genderfluid, and many others.
Transgender: Someone whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.

I fantasize about being another gender. Does this mean I am trans?

Possibly! Fantasies can come about for lots of reasons, whether it’s something you genuinely want to do, something you just like thinking about, or something that pops into your brain when your mind wanders. So just having fantasies doesn’t necessarily mean that you are trans.

Sorting out the reason behind your fantasies can take a bit of work. Journaling, talking to people (whether that’s friends or trans-positive therapists), or experimenting with your gender expression (exploring different clothes, starting/stopping using make-up, or using new pronouns) can help to sort out what feels like a thing you want to try more of or not. Time is also a good way to find out, just waiting to see if/how your fantasies or feelings change, grow, or go away.

Ultimately it’s up to you how you define your gender. For more on gender and exploring your identity, check out Understanding Your Own Sexual Identity and Gender.

I keep hearing about Gender Dysphoria and Gender Euphoria. What does that mean?

Gender Dysphoria and Gender Euphoria are technical terms that medicalize the feelings that people have in relation to their gender. When used outside of a clinical context, these terms can get used a lot more broadly. Below are some general definitions. It’s totally normal if you have different experiences or understandings of these terms.

Gender Dysphoria is a term for the emotional or physical stress people can feel when their gender identity doesn’t match up with their gender assigned at birth. It’s a way of describing the feeling that comes up when a situation or experience makes you feel disconnected from your gender.
Gender Euphoria is a term for the emotional and physical comfort people can feel when their gender identity is recognized and affirmed. It’s a way of describing the feeling that comes up when a situation or experience makes you feel more connected or in-line with your true gender.

Things that can cause Gender Dysphoria or Gender Euphoria can include stuff like your relationship to your body, how people in your life treat you, or society’s general ideals and expectations about your gender. These are feelings that can be experienced by transgender and cisgender people, though they are mostly used in relation to being trans.

Should I change my appearance?

That’s up to you! Sometimes changing your appearance can help you feel more comfortable with your gender, or help you better express your gender. Or you might feel like you are comfortable with how your appearance relates to your gender, and that’s cool too.

If you do want to change your appearance, there are lots of options you can consider. It’s up to you if you want to do none, some, or all of these, or explore other options entirely:

Try different clothing, hair, or make-up styles that better reflect how you want to embody or express your gender. This can include trying wearing different things to present more masculine, more feminine, or more gender neutral.
You can try wearing a chest binder if you want to reduce or hide your breasts.
You can try wearing bras with padding or fake breasts if you want to give the appearance of having breasts or to enhance the breasts you already have.
You can try wearing a packer (fake penis) if you want to give the appearance of having a penis.
You can try wearing gaffs (or other compression underwear) to reduce or hide your penis.

There are also medical options that are sometimes available to people, which would require you to consult with a doctor. This includes taking hormones to change things like where/how much body hair you have, how high or deep your voice is, or muscle/fat distribution. Taking certain medications before or in the early stages of puberty can stop or pause some of these changes from happening. Another common medical option is undergoing surgery to more permanently alter your genitals, chest, or other features to better align your body and your gender to how you want to be in the world.

Note

Accessing these options can depends on lots of factors including things like money, where you live, and how safe it is to explore some of these things in your community.

Is it possible to be trans and attracted to members of the same sex?

Yes, for sure! Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation are typically two different things, though they can be interrelated. You may find that how you define your sexuality changes based on changes in your gender identity, but your gender identity does not limit who you can be attracted to. For example, if you are transitioning from male to female but are still attracted to men, you may switch from using Gay to Straight for defining your sexuality. But as always, it’s up to you to decide which terms work best for you.

How will being trans affect my life?

Being trans will be different for different people, so there are many different possibilities for how it can impact your life. And even though lots of trans people share similar experiences, your journey as a trans person will be unique to you. Here are some examples of how being trans might be a factor in your life:

Sense of Self

Acknowledging and living in line with your true gender identity can be a first step in developing more confidence, self-esteem, or even just comfort with who you are. These feelings can sometimes feel like a long ways off, but the better you know yourself, the better you can make choices that help you live your best life.

Community

There is a strong and supportive community of trans people and allies that you can connect with. Whether it’s in online or in-person spaces, it’s possible to connect with other trans people who understand your successes and struggles. Having a community of peers can also go a long way in helping you develop a strong sense of self.

Barriers

As of this writing, trans people do still face barriers and discrimination. Transphobia ranges from hurtful comments and acts of violence, to denial of jobs, housing, or medical support. These kinds of behaviours may make you reluctant to come out as trans, or to live as openly as you otherwise might. For supports on dealing with transphobia, check out our page Sexuality and Gender Resources for Youth.

I know I’m trans. What do I do now?

That’s up to you! Whatever you do next will depend on you and your circumstances. Things to consider could include:

Coming out as trans.

If you feel like you have supportive people in your life, you may want to come out to them. You can come out to all your friends and family, or just to select people. You may want to be out in some spaces, but not others. It’s up to you. Check out our Coming Out page for more.

Changing your appearance.

If you want to change your appearance, you can try doing that at whatever speed is comfortable for you. You can do it slowly (a few hours at a time, just at home to start, etc) or quickly (presenting your gender 24/7). As mentioned above, you may want to consult with medical professionals.

Changing your name or pronouns.

Some people may want to start using a new names or pronouns that better align with their gender. This can be something you know right away, or something you experiment with first until you find the right fit.

Get involved in the trans community.

This could involve participating irl in Pride events or your school’s GSA. Or it could involve finding different online groups and communities.

Or you might just keep living your life as you were before. Realizing that you are trans is an important step in your journey to self-discovery and self-exploration, and sometimes that is enough. There’s nothing specific that you have to do if you’re trans.

Resources

Transgender Teen Survival Guide – Binding FAQ
Sherbourne Health – Trans Health Care
LGBT Youthline
National Centre for Transgender Equality – Frequently Asked Questions About Transgender People
Government of Canada – Rights of LGBTI Persons

If you have questions about this topic, feel free to contact one of our peer educators. [Link]

Last Edited: September 2021