General knowledge · Evidence-backed
Ten Things About Transgender People
Transgender people represent a diverse group whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth. This guide presents ten essential facts about transgender people, drawing on authoritative sources to provide clear, accurate information.
A concise overview of key facts about transgender people, covering definitions, identities, demographics, and related concepts.
Definition of transgender
A transgender person has a gender identity that differs from that typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth. This is the core definition used by major health and research organisations.
Transgender as an umbrella term
Transgender functions as an umbrella term encompassing binary trans men and trans women, as well as people who are non-binary or genderqueer. The term covers a spectrum of gender identities beyond the binary.
Distinction from sexual orientation
Being transgender is distinct from sexual orientation. Transgender people may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual, or use other labels, or choose not to label their orientation at all.
Cisgender as the opposite of transgender
The opposite of transgender is cisgender, describing persons whose gender identity matches their assigned sex at birth. This term is used to contrast with transgender experiences.
Global demographic estimates
Accurate global statistics on transgender people vary widely due to differing definitions. Generally, less than 1% of the worldwide population is estimated to be transgender, with figures ranging from under 0.1% to 0.6%.
Canada's census data collection
Canada became the first country to introduce collection of census data on its transgender and non-binary population in 2021, marking a significant step in official recognition and data gathering.
Gender identity versus gender expression
Gender identity refers to a person's internal sense of being male, female or something else, while gender expression is how a person communicates that identity through behaviour, clothing, hairstyles, voice or body characteristics.
Trans women definition
A trans woman or transgender woman is a woman who was assigned male at birth. Many trans women experience gender dysphoria, the distress that can arise from incongruence between gender identity and physical characteristics.
Trans men definition
Someone assigned female at birth with a male gender identity is called a trans man. Trans men, like trans women, may experience gender dysphoria and may pursue medical and social transition.
Gender dysphoria and transition
Many transgender people experience gender dysphoria and seek medical treatments such as hormone replacement therapy. Gender transition can reduce this incongruence and the associated distress.
Every numbered claim above was required to carry source evidence before this topic could be published.