What are the differences between the words 'transsexual' and 'transgendered'?

don't know, but I would like to.

I use them interchangeably- is that incorrect?

I suspect their is a difference... I've been corrected about things like that before... I generally just avoid the subject.

I believe a transsexual is someone who dresses as the opposite sex, but doesn't want to become a member of the opposite sex. Transgendered seems to be someone who genuinely feels they were born in a body of the wrong gender, and desires to live their life as the gender they feel more strongly associated with, up to and including surgical changes to cause their body to reflect their core beliefs.

> I believe a transsexual is someone who dresses as the opposite sex,
> but doesn't want to become a member of the opposite sex.

I thought that was a transvestite?

I would think of a transsexual as someone who chose to live as the opposite sex, and a transgendered person as someone who has already had the surgery, however the dictionary states there's no difference.

I'm not talking about dressing for sexual excitement or other entertainment, I'm talking about someone who feels more comfortable in clothing of the opposite gender, though does not want to become a member of the opposite gender. You're right - transvestite is a completely different category. And anyone who knows better is welcome to correct me, this is just my .02.

I'm not sure there is a difference. I get confused.

Honestly, I don't really know. I think I tend to use them interchangeably.

Not totally sure, but I think technically there is no difference. I may be wrong though.
The way I mostly look at it - trannies (transexuals) are males with bewbs but they still have their 'equipment'. I would see transgender as someone altered by surgical means to become one of the opposite sex.

I can see the TS and TG difference as you say. Kinda what I thought. But then, what difference is there between a TS and a transvestite? Or a cross-dresser? Or FordGuy? He wears pantyhose but is definitely not in any way like a TS or TV. I wear women's panties mostly but that doesn't mean I want to be a female, or dress up and wear make-up. Don't know what it means really. I simply see it as men's undies being boring and I like fancy lacy thongs, satiny panties. My wife thinks it's totally looney.

I thought that transvestites *were* the ones who were simply more comfortable in clothing of the opposite gender rather than getting a sexual thrill. Confusing! We clearly need an expert

They end differently?

I don't know, but I do know about transocksuals. People who like to wear two different colored socks.

I actually don't know the answer to my own question - I was just making it for the Biggles challenge. I don't actually find myslef using them that often but when I do its interchangeably.

I think a transsexual had either undergone a sex change operation or took some steps in that direction. A transgendered is supposedly a person trapped in the wrong body, but still kept all his/her original parts and doest plan on changing them any time soon. Am I right? Damn, its been a while since I took that class.

> .... My wife
> thinks it's totally looney.

Strange why a small deviance like that be considered TOTAL loonecy. I smell projection.

projection, projection, projection

I can't remember.

sxual -6
gndered -8
...Id say about 14 letters as the 'E'' that I removed from both have the exact same lletter count withn the word.

None to my knowlede...typically I don't use either I say a cross dresser, or that they're in drag.
On the few occassions that I have used either of these words I use transexual, probably due to a RHPS influence.

no idea

transsexual implies that you have had the surgery already. transgendered is someone who may live as the opposite sex but not had surgery yet or may never have surgery.

transvestite dresses as the opposite sex.
transsexual has had the surgery to change their body to fit who they feel they are.
transgendered people live or feel they are the opposite sex but haven't had surgery yet or may never have surgery.

you are correct..........

i volunteer at a youth group in my city for gay, lesbian, bi, and transgendered youth. transgendered youth tend to dress very ambiguously or full blown as the opposite sex from which they were born. some of them will live as the opposite sex and go on to surgery. some are just tired of being boxed into their expected gender roles and this is their way of fighting back or striking out against gender expectations. some of these kids don't want to change there sex but want society to treat them as humans first and their gender second. these are my interpretations of their ideas.
it is interesting and i have to say that i thought i was very liberal and open but it took me some time to come to terms with much of their thoughts and ideas. it is very cool to talk to these kids.
anyway, i have been volunteering there for 5 years now and they are the bomb...... lesbian, gay and transgendered teens who are so brave and excited about their lives. something i wish i had as a teen!!!!

transexual is actual biological changes made whereas transgendered is an association with a sociological "other" gender than deemed appropriate by society for that body

LOL I guess They is a transockual

Thanks for the clarification.

I was very interested to read your comments.

My oldest friend dated a transgendered person who was living as a man for a good while. Like you I was surprised that it took as much getting used to as it did. That's probably not the best phrase to describe it...I guess being bisexual, it's not too difficult for me to understand a hetero or homosexual mindset, but the idea of feeling like the opposite gender was brand new to me. I'm glad people are getting out there and talking about it.

The place you volunteer sounds awesome, I'd love to get involved in something like that.

There doesn't have to be a difference. There doesn't have to be labels. I'm a pantyhose wearin' guy. I don't fit in the TS, TG, or CD group. Especially since I wear Comfilons - hosiery for men. I think people are too hung up on labels. Everything has to fit in a certain slot. I say wear what makes you comfortable. Be what makes you happy. The rest is just, well, life.

> I say wear what makes you comfortable.

I have a hard time believing that panythose is comftable (for either sex), but ok.

The way I use them, transgendered refers to switching emotional-consciousness gender, and transsexual refers to switching anatomy.

I seldom wear them, but pantyhose can intensify the skin sensations of fabric brushing against you, and then there's the tight squirmy quality. They can feel 'good' without feeling 'comfortable'. It's as much a relief to take them off as it is electric to put them on.

I guess I didnt think of it that way. I sort of like being squeezed in with seat belts and sometimes where tight shirts and it sort of feels good in a wierd way. Maybe I am a closet sub and should get into bondage

Not familiar enough................. Isn't transsexual a person who has sex on trains and transgendered is someone who has sex on trains but does not care who the sex of the person is?

Ok, you get it then. There is that scintillating feel too, but after a time it simply becomes irritating.

My understanding is that "transgendered" is a more general term that includes everyone who is actively reversing gender roles. "Transsexual" is more specifically a person who has established a permanent identity with the opposite gender (of what their chromosomes would indicate).

Therefore, all transsexuals are transgendered, but not all transgendered people are transsexuals.

> |> I say wear what makes you comfortable.
>
> I have a hard time believing that panythose is comftable (for either
> sex), but ok.
>

They are uncomfortable if you buy cheap ones or the wrong size. Size is the most important issue with hosiery. For some reason people tend to buy smaller than they actually require. Comfilons are made for men, with sizing for men. Including a male comfort panel. Some of their hosiery even has a fly. When wearing the right stuff, they are actually very comfortable - and offer support for folks on their feet a lot. I can't imagine NOT wearing them. But that being said, I have experienced my share of discomfort from hose, and it always stems from buying the cheap stuff or getting the wrong size. Once you find what actually fits, you'd be surprised how comfortable and beneficial they can actually be.

This is the way I see it but, a transsexual is a person that has undergone or is undergoing surgery in order to align their physical body (their sex) with their perceived gender.
A transgendered person is someone who perceives that their gender does not match their sex but has chosen not to go through surgery but live outwardly as their gender. Not to be confused with transvestites who have the same gender and sex, but enjoy wearing clothing associated with the opposite gender.

I know some people are born into a body unfamiliar to them. We change genders during all our past lives, sometimes things were not completed in a previous incarnation and must be dealt with in this living lifetime. I believe when this happens and someone displays their "other side" it's transsexual. I think when surgery is involved, it's transgendered, but I could be wrong on terminology.

about lady's underthings, my Vietnam vet loved to do that, he liked the slippery feel... and so did I!

south, I do believe you are right in this... if you are, I stand corrected... thanks, pat

wonderful post, thanks... I, too, have a friend volunteering with a similar gay/lesbian organization. He is truly one of my closest and dearest friends, we had an instant connection and I'm totally straight.

Yeah, but I learned the lacy ones are too rough and scratchy. I like the cotton ones with two V-panels connected by thin elastic bands on the sides. I get most of them at Wal-Mart, plenty of them for under a dollar apiece.

I totally agree with you, ford... doctors often prescribe some form of leg support for various circulation problems, and it does help... you seem to "got it together" just fine and proud of it!

You responded to just about every one in this survey except the transgendered person, me.

but Kristal, to ME you are a person I like FIRST, and your sex is not my business... I sure didn't mean to slight or forget you! And, I had my terms back-assward, too. But there were a couple replies I started to write-type responses to, but the cpu glitched me out, I bet one was gonna be to you... someone else missed out, too, hehe.

NOW, what was the question???

And I see my response about prescription drugs was included with the transgendered, I think that cpu spit me out to the wrong page.

Myself, I have always felt more in tune with men. I had both a strong mother AND very strong father. Being an only child, I hung with my dad a lot and we did a ton of family stuff. I got the advantages and best of both worlds.

I have never been approached for a sexual relationship by a member of the same sex. I think men would be better companions if they displayed more of their feminine side just as girls need to know how to be ballsy and stand up for themselves.

I am a menber of PEOPLE'S lib, because you're a "people" before you're anything else, and I'd like to learn more of your people life!

It's not a major issue for me. I'm just a person, as you say. I was just wondering if you even knew. Normally I wouldn't care about that either, but considering the subject of this survey, I figured i should stand up as an authority on the subject in case anyone had questions.

I thought this survey was particularly good, too. the "issues" discussed have always been prevelant in our society, but they just were swept under the carpet in all variations. It was a dichotomy I was aware of but couldn't address, kinda like too taboo back then. Alice's daughter is lesbian, and getting married in June... I love both her and her mate... sexuality doesnt define WHO you are, just HOW you are. I, personally, cherish my friends with differences, and if they're comfortable being open, then all the better.