Outing someone's identity without permission. |
This is a violation of the person's privacy, and might endanger them. |
Never out someone without permission. Let that person choose who to come out to and when. |
Using "Transgenders", "A transgender", "Transgendered" |
Transgender is an adjective and not a noun or verb. |
"Transgender people" or "A transgender person" or "Transgender" |
Using "Transsexual" or "Tranny" |
Transsexual is a mostly outdated term. Tranny is extremely offensive. |
"Transgender" or "Trans" |
Assuming a transgender person's sexual orientation. |
Gender identity is separate from sexual orientation. They can have any sexual or romantic orientation. |
Do not assume. |
Asking a transgender person about surgery, genitals, or sex life. |
These are personal questions about their body, and is invasive and inappropriate. Not all transgender people have or want surgery. |
Do not ask. |
Ignore someone's preferred name or asking for their birth name. |
Legal name changes can cost a lot of money, and asking for a birth name is incredibly disrespectful. |
Use the person's preferred name. |
Guessing someone's pronouns. |
They may not "pass" as what they identify as, and trying to guess invalidates their identity. |
Ask the person what their pronouns are. Use they/them as a neutral pronoun if you do not know and can't ask. |