Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Identity Development

The words people use to describe themselves are different in different communities. In this entry, a particular language is used, with the acknowledgment that in different cultural communities different words may be used to describe similar phenomena. The following summary of transgender and gender nonconforming identity development is based on information compiled from predominantly White, North American samples in social science research. Herein, trans* is used as an umbrella term to include transsexual, transgender, genderqueer, and other gender variant identities and forms of gender expression. This entry begins by discussing identity development in general and then focuses on trans* identity development in particular. The entry concludes with a brief look at cultural considerations.