We are at the height of the discussion about gender, sexual orientation and the like. We cannot mince words when it comes to the debate, much prejudice is derived from ignorance. In the current scenario, even politics exerts influence and can lead to wrong information, in addition to the huge lack of respect for the fluidity of human beings and their sexuality.
To reduce doubts, let's approach and understand the difference between three names that you heard or read in the main media: transgender, transvestite and transgender.
First we must understand that sexual orientation is not the main topic of this article. A person's sexual orientation has to do exclusively with the affective side of the individual, it is related to the person in whom you have an affective and sexual interest, it is what attracts you and builds affective relationships. Let's address the definitions of names to clarify the terms once and for all:
Starting with one of the terms that raises the most questions, transgenders, in their simplicity, are people who do not identify with the sex they were born with. Many labels fit this nomenclature and, from this point on, it can generate a certain amount of doubt. For example, if a person was born female but does not identify with that body, they may fit in as a transgender person as well. In another facet, the person can be born with the masculine gender and not recognize themselves with any gender, they are the non-binary ones. Transgender people will give you information about the limitations, she will introduce herself so you will know which pronoun you can use, such as “he/she”. Fluidity is real and it is of the utmost importance that it be respected.
It is a category that unfortunately is at the forefront of prejudice. One of the members of the letter “T” of the acronym, transvestites do not recognize themselves with their biological sex. It is quite interesting that people assimilate the fact that the genitalia is not the factor that defines a person's gender. They suffer a lot of violence, cannot get jobs because they are marginalized by society and end up surviving in the world of prostitution. The life expectancy of transvestites is much lower, which is absolutely regrettable for someone who just wants to be who he is.
It also indicates a disparity between the sex the person is born with and the gender they identify with, the sex defined at birth. Although it is similar to the expression “transgender”, here we go further. It is not a generic term, the word itself carries a lot of weight due to some histories in the fields of psychology and medicine, thus they have been labeled as mentally ill and sexually deviant. Transsexuals may or may not undergo surgeries that adapt their body to the person's gender identity. The transition also includes treatment with hormones, male or female, which gradually transform features such as: facial hair for transgender men and natural breasts for transgender women, among others.
Simply put, when in doubt, ask politely. Not all people live in boxes with labels for everything, learning to respect the individual as he is, you will be aware of the infinity of wonderful people around you and thus, respect transvestites, trans and any variation of human sexuality.
