What Is Transgender?
Welcome to Episode 3 of our LGBTQ+ educational series. In this edition, we’re exploring what it means to be transgender, a term often misunderstood, yet vital to understanding the diversity of human identity.
Gender Identity vs. Assigned Sex at Birth
Gender identity is how someone personally experiences and defines their gender—whether that’s male, female, both, neither, or something else entirely. It’s an internal sense of self.
Assigned sex at birth refers to the label (male, female, or intersex) given to someone based on physical characteristics when they’re born. Being transgender means that someone’s gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth.
For example, a person assigned female at birth may identify as a man, or someone assigned male at birth may identify as non-binary.
The Transgender Pride Flag
The Transgender Pride Flag was created by Monica Helms in 1999 and has since become a global symbol of trans visibility and pride. Its design is simple yet deeply meaningful:
- 💙 Light Blue: Traditionally associated with boys
- 💗 Pink: Traditionally associated with girls
- 🤍 White: Represents non-binary, transitioning, or those outside the gender binary
The pattern is symmetrical, symbolizing that no matter how you fly it, it’s always correct—just like how gender identity is valid no matter the journey. 👉 Explore the flag here: Transgender Pride Flag
Common Myths & The Truth
Despite progress, myths about transgender people persist. Let’s break them down:
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Myth: “Being trans is a choice.”
Reality: Gender identity isn’t chosen—it’s an inherent part of who someone is. -
Myth: “Surgery is required to be transgender.”
Reality: Not all transgender people undergo medical transition. Being trans isn’t defined by surgery, hormones, or outward appearance—it’s about identity. -
Myth: “Being transgender is new.”
Reality: Trans and gender-diverse people have existed across cultures for centuries, from hijra communities in South Asia to Two-Spirit people in Indigenous cultures of North America.
Why This Education Matters
Transgender people face some of the highest rates of discrimination, violence, and erasure in the LGBTQ+ community. Understanding the basics of gender identity, respecting pronouns, and debunking myths are crucial steps to creating safer, more affirming environments.
For more, check out: 👉 Let’s Talk Dysphoria 👉 Queer Safe Spaces: Why Inclusion Matters
Being transgender is not about choice, surgery, or trends—it’s about living authentically as who you are. The transgender pride flag stands as a reminder of resilience, beauty, and the right to self-determination. By educating ourselves, we move toward a world where all trans people can live with dignity, safety, and pride.
