Transsexual

A transexual is usually defined as a person whose gender does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth, and who may pursue social and/or medical changes to better align their body with their gender. These changes can include hormone therapy, surgeries, or other changes to primary or secondary sex characteristics. Not all people who use this term pursue medical transition. Some people use transsexual or transsex to describe themselves when they want to emphasize the physical or medical aspects of their transition. Others use it to indicate that their current sex characteristics differ from those they were born with. Transsexual is often considered an older term that has largely been replaced by transgender. While some people still actively identify with it, others find the term outdated or offensive. ### Controversy The term transsexual has a complicated history. Some trans people associate it with older medical systems where doctors decided who was “allowed” to be trans or access hormones or surgery. It is also closely tied to pornography and sexual fetishization. Because of this history, the term can feel dehumanizing to some people, or like it reduces a person to their body or sexual function rather than recognizing their full identity. Other people intentionally reclaim or continue to use the term for themselves. This includes some older trans people, as well as some younger people who prefer more specific language about sex and bodily change. Complicating things further, term transsexual is still widely used in the porn industry and adult advertising. This usage has contributed to the sense that its sexualizes or fetishizes trans people. Some people who identify as transsexual reject this framing. Others see embracing the term as a way to reclaim it. Because reactions to this term vary widely, it is generally best treated as a self-chosen label. Using it to describe someone who has not explicitly identified that way may be unwelcome.