Transgender vs. Transsexual

CANCEL

I have been keeping a journal and narration and photographs of my experiences of coming out and (hopefully) transitioning as a transgender woman, and this thought came up while writing. Writing everything down has been really good for me to work things out.

I know that the term transgender is generally considered a more blanket term for those who do not fit into gender norms and transsexual is a term for someone with gender dysphoria who transitions into the opposite gender. However, I think the word transsexual has been negatively eroticized (and not just by the presence of "sex" in it) by the general public's perception of transgender/transsexual individuals; that is the prominence in the fetish porn industry and through shows like Jerry Springer, and the people who would appear on it. I find the associations that often go along with the term transsexual degrading, reductive and marginalizing, and prefer the term transgender. Transgender happens to encompass transsexual, by definition, and is simply a broader, less specific term. I think transgender more aptly describes gender dysphoria by putting the focus on gender identity, not sex characteristics.

Is this something you all would agree with, or is it a word that I should reclaim for myself, at least in my own head? Or am I reacting too strongly?

I think most people have no idea what the difference is, and only those "in the know" might have some idea about the negative connotations you're describing.

If it makes you uncomfortable to label yourself "transsexual", then don't do it. Simple as that. Who says you have to label yourself at all?