What does it mean for a person to be labeled as transgender?

Being labeled as transgender refers to a person's experience of having a gender identity that conflicts with the sex they were assigned at birth. This can encompass a wide range of identities and experiences. When someone identifies as transgender, it conveys that their personal understanding of their gender does not align with societal expectations based on their biological sex.

This recognition is crucial as it highlights the diversity of gender identity, which is distinct from sexual orientation or external expressions of gender, such as clothing choices. Transgender individuals may choose to express their gender identity in many ways, including through gender-affirming healthcare, changes in name, pronouns, or attire, but at its core, the trans identity is rooted in the internal sense of self concerning gender rather than any external characteristics or attractions.