: These are distinct concepts. Gender identity is one’s internal sense of being male, female, or another gender, whereas sexual orientation refers to who a person is attracted to. Transgender people can be straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or asexual.

The transgender community is a diverse group of individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. As a vital part of broader LGBTQ+ culture, the trans community has a long history of activism and unique cultural contributions, while also facing specific systemic challenges. Key Concepts and Definitions

: An umbrella term for people whose internal sense of gender does not conform to the sex assigned to them at birth.

Transgender people have existed throughout history and across cultures, often fulfilling respected societal roles, such as the individuals in Indigenous North American cultures or the Hijra in South Asia.

: These terms describe people who identify outside the traditional male/female binary. Historical Foundations