Transfeminine

Transfeminine definition

«Transfeminine» is a generic terminology that refers to people who were not assigned female at birth, but who determine themselves with femininity.
It is often shortened as «transfem». 

So, what are the main aspects?

A transfeminine person is an individual who was assigned a male or intersex at birth, but who indicates the feminine origin of gender expression.

Transfeminine people can also identify as other genders, non-feminine genders as well. This term is often used to describe anyone who is assigned male at birth and undergoes femininization, either through surgery, hormone replacement therapy, or other methods.

Transfeminine is usually applicated to describe:

• transgender women
• AMAB non-binary people who identify with womanliness
• AMAB demigirls (gender identity, describing the person who partially identifies as a girl, woman, or feminine)
• AMAB gender-fluid people (this term denotes or is related to a person who does not have fixed gender but identifies with femininity)
• other AMAB people who identify with womanliness

In other words, a wide range of individuals, including those who are transgender, non-binary, or intersex, use the term transfeminine.

History

There is no exact information about the origin of this term, but it is known that this term was first used in 1985 in the publication of a magazine “for persons interested in cross-dressing & transsexualism” The TV-TS Tapestry.
In the article, Jane Nance described that she felt discomfort identifying as a “transvestite” or “transexual.”

She became the initiator of the appearance of the word “transfeminine” to relate to “a male who identifies himself a female, strictly indeterminate due to relation to any question of an operation.”
Since then, the term has evolved to refer to any AMAB people who identify with femininity.
From that time, the context of the term has risen to identify any AMAB person who determines femininity.

Flag

The meaning of the flag is unclear, but we can see the same colors on the transgender flag.

Transfeminine public position

In fact, it depends on each individual what measures to take and how to behave. If transfeminine persons do not observe standard female gender roles, that is not the sign that their gender has no right to exist.

Being transfeminine does not define what gender roles someone performs or does not perform. Transfeminine persons do not always follow what is awaited of women or are related with womanly in their mentality.

The difference between transfeminine, trans woman, nonbinary or gender-fluid 

Being a trans woman is not a prerequisite for being transfeminine. The term transfeminine can also relate to non-binary people who are connected to the term femininity.

In other words, if you want to use the word transfeminine, you do not need to fully associate yourself with a woman.
It is possible for someone to be both transfeminine and nonbinary. Some persons can also be transfeminine and gender-fluid.

The most important differential aspect is that there is a close connection between transfeminine people and femininity. In the case of nonbinary and gender-fluid people, there can be identified with masculinity, femininity, or neither.

The main features of being transfeminine

If the personality is associated with the term femininity, it is possible to use the word “transfeminine.”
Nevertheless, it can be difficult to determine the identity from first sight.

For a better understanding of your gender and its harmony with your personality, you can do the following:

• Communicate with transfeminine people in online forums, in groups, or in real life to learn what it means to be transfeminine.
• Read about the experiences of transfeminine people and ask yourself if you agree. Remember, we all have different experiences.
• Think about what aspects of your gender expression or identity you think are transfeminine.
• Try using the term by calling yourself transfeminine, aloud, or in writing. You do not have to tell anyone if you do not wish to do it. Just try it and see what it is like.
• Make notes about your gender. Sometimes, writing your thoughts and feelings helps to understand everything better.

What is the best way to support friends or partners who are transfeminine

You can support transfeminine people by:

• Deepening your knowledge about transgender identities. This will be a useful way to understand and support them better. Reading this article is a successful first step in this direction!
• Giving them the opportunity to tell you about their identity, but not forcing them to do it or giving too many annoying questions. The question of gender can be very sensitive for the person, and it is important to behave respectfully and polite way.
• If their name was changed, and the person asked you to use different pronouns, you should have a respectful attitude to this request. Do not call someone a woman unless they identify themselves as such.
• Don’t “out” them without their consent. We live in a transphobic world, and it may not be safe for them to reveal their gender to everyone.

Primarily, ask them straight away if they have any desires due to how you can support them. It is always important to show understanding and kindness and provide support to them according to their own preferences.

How to care for your transfeminine personality

A transfeminine person is an individual who was assigned a male at birth, but who indicates the feminine origin of gender expression.

It is possible for any AMAB people who identify with femininity to use the term “transfeminine.”

There is not a “right” method to be transfeminine. Being transfeminine sounds various to different people.

Transfeminine people may (or may not) transmit their gender uniqueness in different ways: through clothing, hairstyles, care methods, and so on.

People who are transfeminine do not need to make a vision or do something a particular way to match their gender. After all, only they can decide what suits them.

Well-known transfeminine people

Laverne Cox, star of Netflix's Orange Is the New Black, has capitalized on her global success to become a frank leader in the transgender rights movement, reaching out to thousands in schools and other forums across the country.

Lana Wachowski. American writer, director, and producer. Larry’s real name, but after the sex-change operation, he changed his name to Lana. With her brother, Andy, they produced and directed Hollywood blockbusters like the Matrix trilogy, V for Vendetta, and Cloud Atlas.

Caitlyn Jenner was famous as an Olympic gold medalist in 1976 and later as a reality TV dad. In 2015 Caitlyn appears as a woman for the first time on the cover of Vanity Fair's June issue.

Model and actress Carmen Carrera became famous on a reality show after appearing in Drag Race RuPol. Almost 50,000 people signed an online petition making a request to Victoria’s Secret to create the company’s first transgender «Angel» based on an image of Carmen.