What does the American Psychological Association define as transgender?

The definition of transgender as provided by the American Psychological Association serves to encompass a broad spectrum of experiences. It is an umbrella term that includes individuals whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. This captures a wide array of identities and expressions beyond merely those who dress in clothing typical of the opposite gender or have completed a medical transition.

This inclusive definition acknowledges that transgender individuals may not fit into traditional binaries of gender and that their experiences can vary significantly. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and respecting each person’s self-identified gender, which can include non-binary, genderqueer, and other gender identities that fall outside the conventional male-female dichotomy.

A narrow definition focused solely on dressing or a specific set of transition experiences would fail to recognize the broader and more nuanced nature of gender identity. Furthermore, labeling transgender as a sexual orientation misclassifies it, as sexual orientation pertains to whom individuals are attracted to, while gender identity is related to one's personal sense of their gender. Therefore, the definition provided by the American Psychological Association correctly captures the diverse landscape of transgender identities.