trans & nonbinary basics

some words

• Trans means your gender is different from the one you were assigned at birth. Cis means it's the same.
• Nonbinary covers genders outside of only man or only woman. Some nonbinary people call themselves trans, and some don't.
• Gender expression is how you present: clothes, hair, voice and so on. It doesn't have to match anyone's expectations.
• Pronouns are how people refer to you, like he, she or they. Asking is always polite.

Our genders dictionary has many more terms. Use the words that feel right to you, and respect the words others choose.

transition

Transition means the steps someone takes to live as their gender. It's personal, and none of it is required to be trans or nonbinary. Some people do a lot, some do a little, and some do nothing at all.

finding trans-competent care

• Ask before you book. "Do you have experience with trans and nonbinary patients?" is a fair question.
• Know about informed consent. Some clinics use an informed consent model for hormones: they explain the benefits and risks, check you understand, and let you decide, without requiring a therapist's letter first. Not every country or clinic works this way.
• Keep up your other care. Sexual health, cancer screening and general check-ups matter for everyone. Our sexual health page applies to trans people too.
• Get your hormones from a clinician where you can. Unprescribed hormones come without monitoring, and that makes them riskier. If you use them anyway, getting regular blood tests is safer than none.

• Planned Parenthood (US)Information on trans and nonbinary identities. Many of its health centres offer gender-affirming hormone care, so contact your nearest one to check.
• Kink-aware professionalsOur list of directories, including LGBTQ+-inclusive doctors and therapists.

name & id changes

How you change your name and gender marker is different in every country, and in some countries, like the US, it differs by state too. In many countries legal gender recognition isn't possible at all, and access to trans health care differs widely too. Start with an official or well-established source for where you live.

• Trans Rights MapFrom TGEU: an index and map comparing trans rights, including legal gender recognition, across Europe and Central Asia.

Two examples of the kind of source to look for:

europe

• Gender Recognition Certificate (UK)The UK government's page on applying for legal recognition of your gender, including who can apply and what it changes.

north america

• ID documents center (US)From Advocates for Trans Equality: guides to changing your name and gender on state and federal IDs and records, with a page for every state and territory.

binding & tucking

Binding flattens the chest, and tucking smooths the groin. Both can ease dysphoria and help you feel like yourself. Done with care, they're safer.

• Use gear made for it, like a proper binder or a gaff. Never bind with bandages, duct tape or plastic wrap, because they tighten as you move and can hurt your ribs and breathing.
• Get the right size. Smaller isn't better. A binder that's too tight can cause pain and injury.
• Take breaks, and don't sleep in your binder or tuck.
• Listen to your body. Stop if you feel pain, numbness, or you can't take a deep breath. Keep your skin clean and dry.
• Plan for play. Heavy exercise or an intense scene makes binding harder on your body. Talk it through during negotiation.

in gay, leather & kink spaces

Trans men and nonbinary people are part of gay, bi and leather life, and many hold titles, run clubs and lead events. Some spaces are welcoming, and some still have work to do.

• Check the policy. Many events state who's welcome. If it isn't clear, ask the organisers before you go.
• Use the words you want. You get to name your own body and tell partners what language you like during play.
• Bring a friend to a new space, and use the tips on meeting safely.
• For everyone else: don't ask about surgery or bodies unless you're negotiating with that person and they've invited it. Treat trans men as the men they are.

Our bodies in kink page covers playing with the body you have.

support

• GATEGlobal Action for Trans Equality works worldwide on the human rights and health of trans, gender diverse and intersex people.
• LGBTQIA+ & trans support linesOur list of free, confidential services in many countries.

europe

• TGEUTrans Europe and Central Asia, a network of over 200 trans groups in more than 50 countries. It works on legal gender recognition, health care and safety, and runs the Trans Rights Map.

asia & the pacific

• Asia Pacific Transgender NetworkA trans-led network working on legal gender recognition, health care, work and housing across Asia and the Pacific, mostly through local partners.

north america

• Trans LifelineA peer support hotline for the US and Canada, run by and for trans people. Operators are trans or nonbinary, and they won't call emergency services unless you ask them to.

oceania

• TransHub (Australia)From ACON: information on health, hormones, names and gender markers, plus a directory of trans-affirming health professionals.

africa & the middle east

Many countries in these regions criminalise same-sex relations or target LGBTQ+ groups, so we don't list local groups there. ILGA World tracks the law in each country. If you're in danger, Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQI+ people get to safety. Our support page lists crisis lines in 110 countries.