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Sexual Health for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming People

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Sexual Health for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming People SEXUAL HEALTH FOR transgender gender & non-conforming people By Dr Alex Müller GLOSSARY Bisexual Gay People whose sexual orientation is towards This word colloquially refers to homosexual people of both genders, i.e. men whose people, most frequently men; thus men sexual orientation is towards men and whose sexual orientation is predominantly women. towards other men. Cisgender Gender Someone whose identity conforms to The socially constructed roles, behaviour, the gender assigned to them at birth activities and attributes that a particular and whose gender matches their sex society considers appropriate for men at birth (previously also known as non- and women. transgender). Gender-affirming treatment/ Cross-gender hormone procedure replacement therapy (Medical) treatment and procedures; One part of gender-affirming treatment such as cross-gender hormones, can be the intake of hormones in order to gender-affirming surgeries, etc., which create changes in sexual characteristics. a transgender person can choose to In the case of transgender women these undertake in order to make their bodies would be oestrogens and progesterone, more congruent with their gender which stem some hair growth and identity, thus affirming their gender. initiate breast development; in the case of transgender men, this would be Gender identity testosterone, which breaks the voice and promotes hair growth. one part of gender- One’s private sense of being male or affirming treatment can be the intake of female or another gender. It usually, but hormones in order to create changes in not always, matches the sex based on the sexual characteristics. external genitalia present at birth. In the case of transgender women these Gender markers would be oestrogens and progesterone, which stem some hair growth and The markers in identity documents, such initiate breast development; in the as passports, and other official documents case of transgender men, this would be which indicate that whether someone is testosterone, which breaks the voice and male or female. promotes hair growth. Gender non-conforming Front hole Gender non-conforming people are those Transmen who have not had surgery still who are by society’s norms not ‘recognised’ have a vagina. Since the word vagina is as male or female. usually associated with a female body, we use the more neutral word ‘front hole’. Lesbian Homosexual women; women whose Gender non-conforming sexual orientation is predominantly Gender non-conforming people towards other women. are those who are by society’s norms not been ‘recognised’ as male or female. Continued on inside back cover PREFACE This guide is for transgender and Most safer sex resources are not gender non-conforming people aimed at trans people, let alone and their partners and lovers. gender non-conforming people or gay/lesbian/bisexual/queer trans The word trans is used to include people. people who might also call themselves any of these very There is no consistent language different words: transsexual/ for our body parts or identities. transgender/genderqueer/queer/ We tried to make an information cross-dresser/drag queen/drag booklet to talk about our bodies king. When we use the term that made us feel comfortable. transwomen in this guide, we are Because there is no consistent talking about people who identify term used by everyone, we have on some level as female but were used the word “front hole” to assigned male at birth. When we describe what is medically referred use the term transmen, we mean to as a vagina and the word “pre- people who identify on some level op genitalia” to describe what is as male but were assigned female medically referred to as a penis. In at birth. certain cases, we’ve used terms like “vaginal fluids” because we We will also be talking about were unsure how to discuss these people who are not trans – that aspects of our experiences with is, people who were assigned one words that are comprehensive and gender at birth and more or less respectful. still identify with that gender. We’ll use the words cisgender and cis We have tried as best as we can to describe these people (ie, cis to be respectful and innovative women and cis men). as well as clear and concise. The glossary at the beginning of this One of the big challenges in writing booklet gives an overview of all the this safer sex booklet was the words that we use. We know that question, “How can we make a language is not static, and that it is safer sex booklet that talks about often influenced by Western ideas sex, sexually transmitted diseases, of identity. If you are offended or and HIV using language that is clear don’t see yourself in this resource, and respectful to the wide range we apologise. This resource exists of transgender and gender non- for you, so please send us your conforming people who will read suggestions so we can make it”? This wasn’t/isn’t easy. the next one better. This guide is about the sexual health of transgender and gender non-conforming people. It aims to tell you about: • your body and what you can do with it • how to have safe and enjoyable sex Sexual • the risks of sex and how to health for negotiate them transgender and gender non- GENDER EXPRESSION, conforming OUTING AND PERSONAL people SAFETY Transgender people often try to ensure that their gender expres- sion conforms to expectations by Sexual health means: society regarding this gender. Presenting clearly as female or • overall well-being with male is sometimes called ‘passing’. your sexuality However, whether you pass or not • a positive and respectful does not define whether you are approach to sexuality a man or a woman. and sexual relationships For transmen this means being seen • enjoyable and safe sexual as male, for transwomen being seen experiences without coercion, as female. Your gender expression is a matter of perception, the way that discrimination or violence people perceive and treat your gender Although transgender and in day-to-day life. gender non-conforming people You can feel very male or female and have many sexual health needs identify as a man or a woman and not pass by society’s dominant definitions, that are similar to cisgender or only pass some of the time. people, we also have very There are a lot of ways that transgen- specific needs that are not der people express their masculinity usually discussed. or femininity; from binding their chests to changing the way they talk This guide will give you the to taking hormones and changing most important information their bodies. about your sexual health, and Gender non-conforming people do not help you to make decisions match society’s perception of what is that lead to enjoyable male or female. Sometimes they are 1 and safer sex. trying to challenge the idea that there are only two genders (the gender binary), or they just don’t care. For many transgenders it is important • Do you have a place to go, or can that their gender expression matches you leave the situation safely? society’s norms, because they feel • Do you have support from your more accepted or often because it is friends or family? safer. However, what society thinks • Can you deal with possible about your gender expression does emotional/sexual rejection? not make you more of a man or a woman. BEFORE YOU HAVE SEX Whether or not your gender expression conforms to society’s You usually don’t just walk up to norms, you will need to decide if and somebody and have sex. when to tell somebody you have met that you are transgender. There are Having sex should be a negotiated pro’s and cons to both disclosing and decision that you and your partner or not disclosing. Every person needs to lover make together. make their decision based on where There are many ways to have sex, but they are, if they feel comfortable and/ you should always feel comfortable or safe, and many other reasons. about the person you are having sex You need to think about this not at with, about the place where you have the time of having sex, but much sex and about the circumstances earlier. When you want to tell under which you have sex. someone you are trans, consider the For transgender and gender non- following points: conforming people, there are a few • Are you in a space that is physically things to consider before having sex and emotionally safe? That you feel with somebody. comfortable in? Meeting people • Can you leave the situation? TIPS • Are you prepared to educate Bar/Nightclub someone who might Bars and nightclubs not know a lot about TALKING TO there is a risk are common places for STRANGERS that the person transgender people? meeting people. Some If you are leaving might become There is always a gay clubs are transfriendly with someone, angry, violent risk that the person and others are not. If tell a friend or or abusive you are disclosing to you can, talk to other introduce the does not take it well. transgender and gender person to your They might become angry, violent non-conforming people friends before you leave with or abusive. This can be not only about their experiences the person. an emotional risk for you, but also at different bars. threaten you physically. Meeting Online Think about the following in case your The internet is a great place to find disclosure goes badly: 2 people to hook up with. Online dating Keep in mind that it is the person sites can, potentially, give transgender you’re connecting with – not the and gender non-conforming people website.
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