For those unfamiliar with transgender, this is one of the most important aspects of this site. Most of these are my own definitions, based on my research, unless otherwise stated. These are not in alphabetical order, but rather in an order that will allow for better understanding of the terms.

LGBTQ
There are many variations of this abbreviation both in the order of the letters or in the addition or subtraction of lettrs. The above is the basic abbreviation: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer. I have also seen Ts (Two-Spirit), I (Intersex), a second Q (Questioning) and A (Allies) added to this list.

Legal Marriage
Legal marriage is the term I would like to use to describe the federally sanctioned union of two people, regardless of sex or gender. Legal marriage, rather than gay marriage or same-sex marriage, should be used, as we do not say straight marriage for the opposite. Unfortunately, marriage between same-sex couples is not currently legal anywhere, though it should be, so this term is often understood as legal marriage only between a man and a woman, whatever that means.

Marriage Equality
As marriage is only legal for heterosexual couples who present as a male and female (with some complications if each is not born that sex), we currently do not have marriage equality. In an ideal world, marriage equality would allow all couples the right to marry whomever they want. As this is not the case, same-sex couples are currently in a battle for marriage equality.

Sex
In this context, it refers to your biological sex (male or female), whether it is birth sex or the sex which someone has transitioned into.

Gender
Thus far, ideology has constructed gender as homogenous, rooted in sex; you are either a (born) male or a (born) female and your appearance is to reflect this (the gender-sex dichotomy). The terms gender and sex are thus erroneasly used interchangeably, i.e. gender is used to define whether a person is male or female. On the contrary, gender is the social definition of feminine or masculine, but this is still a very black and white definition. Ideally gender should be more fluid; gender should be the degrees of both masculinity and femininity that each person has. Dictionary definitions of gender also uses the terms sex and gender interchangeably.

Gender Identity
How one identifies as either male or female and masculine or feminine. Idealistically, this would be regardless of sex though ideologically it is not. The dominant assumption is that gender must follow sex.

Gender Expression
How one expresses their gender identity, through appearance. Some would also include mannerisms as gender expression, but I believe that many of our mannerisms are innate (that we can't control them).

Queer
I use this as an umbrella term for anyone who does not fit into the hegemonic definition of sex, gender and sexual orientation. Thus anyone who is not a practicing heterosexual, or not a masculine born male or a feminine born female. While some see the term as encompassing any sexual or gender minority, others limit the term to those who are non-heterosexual.

Transgender
An umbrella term for those defying gender norms of male and female, norms being the ideology set into motion by social systems including those living as the opposite sex or just dressing as such. There is no dictionary definition for transgender and some may define it differently than I have here. The LGBT Resource Center at UC Riverside (zip file of their resources) defines transgender similarly as, “A person who lives as a member of a gender other than that expected based on anatomical sex. Sexual orientation varies and is not dependent on gender identity.” Regardless of their biological sex, transgendered persons are as fluid in their gender identity as those whose gender identity, as male or female, matches their born biological sex.

Transsexual
A person who lives their life as the opposite sex of that of their birth. This is probably one of the more complicated terms as some define it differently based on degrees of transition. While I would define it as anyone who lives all of their life as the opposite sex, others would require that hormones are being taken and that one is post-operative. Pre-operative (pre-op) means that no sex reassignment surgery (SRS) has been completed. Post-operative (post-op) means that either top surgery (breast reduction or implantation), bottom surgery (reconstruction of sexual organs) or both have been completed. Because of complications (physical and monetary), top surgery is often completed while bottom surgery is more rare. Laser surgery to remove excess body hair, especially facial, for male to females is also an option. Some require that one be completely post-op to be considered transsexual, but I feel this is a classist definition, as any one of these surgeries can cost more than a working class person's yearly income and are often not covered by insurance.

FTM
Female to male. Generally someone transitioning from female to male as a transsexual. Also known as a transman.

MTF
Male to female. Generally someone transitioning from male to female as a transsexual. Also know as a transwoman.

Intersex
Sometimes referred to as hermaphrodite (an outdated term). Those born with deviations to the two biological sexes of male and female, i.e. sex organs and chromosomes that are both female and male. Leslie Feinberg defines intersex as those “born on the anatomical sweep between female and male” (Trans Liberation 5).

Eunuch
Those who lose one or both testicles after birth, though still identify as male.

Tranvestite / Crossdresser
These two terms are often confused with transsexual or drag queens/kings, but contrary to the myth, are actually straight men (and sometimes women) who dress as the opposite sex for sexual pleasure. This is a very private identity, unless publically outed.

Drag
Drag is the act of dressing, generally as the opposite sex. RuPaul once said, "You're born naked and everything you put on after that is drag." Drag queens or kings are gay men (queens) and women (kings) who dress as the opposite sex, generally, but not always, for entertainment purposes. This aspect of performing through gender bending can sometimes be a variant of one’s gender identity or even a step in coming out as transgender or transsexual. In some cases it is just a way to cross gender lines and refute gender ideology. In others, it is an identity (gender as performative).

Androgony / Androgenous
Androgyny has also been considered a third sex and is often used as a label by those who choose not to identify as male or female. It is those who are said not to look completely male or female, or perhaps look both. Unfortunately, ideology makes true androgony nonexistant, as we have preconceived notions about gender and sex and therefore make assumptions about gender or sex (and thus sexual orientation) based on appearance.

Gender Variation
Those who do not fit into the mainstream ideology of gender, or those who do not want to follow this ideology, encompass much of the transgender community. In many cases, gender variants just want to mess with gender. Gender variation is a part of one's identity, and variants can often be described (generally self-described) as queers, gender blenders, gender benders, gender outlaws, gender queers, mashers, gender variant(s), gender dysphoric (dysphoria), gender-fuck(s), etc. The spectrum of gender identity is wide open, allowing individuals to create their own identity of what their gender is, regardless of whether ideologies support this fluidity in gender identity.