A.F.A.B.
(also: assigned female at birth, c.a.f.a.b., f.a.f.a.b., d.f.a.b.)
Table of Contents
Introduction
The term A.F.A.B. crops up often in discussions of transgender people. It is used in conversations which have nothing to do with transgender people. It gets used in so many different contexts in various manner; so inconsistently that some may wonder if it even has any meaning beyond what the acronym quite literally stands for (assigned female at birth).
The literal meaning of this term is so broad that it encapsualtes approximately half of the human beings on planet earth. The proper usage of this term is, however, quite narrow. Far narrower than its common usage (which, as afformentioned, is a bit all over the place.
Please note that this is one of those terms that is generally not one to use to refer to other people spontaneously and without permission. While this acronym is not derogatory in nature, some people will get offended if you casually refer to them as "afab" as it is often regarded as simply reducing people down to their genitalia.
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General Information
The term afab first came about in intersex spaces. The intent of the term was to help give intersex people the language needed regarding what they were, well, assigned at birth in comparison to lived experiences. As this idea has significant overlap with the experiences with transgender people, the term quickly became co-opted.
Similar, alternative acronyms (dfab, etc) have been proposed to differeniate the experiences of transgender people vs that of intersex people. The primary time when this language is necessary to be used in the context of discussions regarding medical care between patients and physicians.
Note that there is a very, very wide range in apperances, anatomy, experiences, etc between various people who were afab.
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A.F.A.B. Trans Woman Pride Flag
This flag was created in May of 2022 by tumblr user sanrio-kotto. The intended meaning of this flag was explained as follows:
This flag is inclusive of all transfems (Amab transfems, afab transfems, aiab transfems, UAB transfems etc !!)
The original post regarding this flag appears to have been deleted. While the flag seems to have originally intended to be more inclusive, its usage has primarily been by those who identify as "AFAB transfem" or some variation. While the majority of those who identify as transfeminine were not afab, some of them were. This flag is primarily used by intersex individuals looking to reclaim femininity and define it on their own terms.
To some, the idea of transitioning "back" to femininity may seem contradictory, but this is a concept used to describe a unique experience. The femininity that is forced upon some individuals in childhood is not always the same femininity that they wish to experience and display in life.
The light pink stripes represent femininity.
The pink stripe represents having a complex relationship with womanhood.
The orange stripe represents healing one's relationship with femininity.
The yellow stripe represents intersex transfeminine people.
The green stripe represents the natural unity found in the transfeminine experience.
Click here to go to the transfeminine page!
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External Links
The following links have been provided for entertainment, education, or further reading to encourage seeking out additional information. None of these links are sponsored, nor endorsed. The inclusion of an article/video/etc is not complete approval for its contents. The thoughts/views/opinions/etc of everything included below do not inherently represent those of The Transgender Dictionary.
Additional Resources
- Carrd - AFAB Transfem (https://afab-transfem.carrd.co/)
- Gender - Fandom - Wiki - AFAB Transfem (https://gender.fandom.com/wiki/AFAB_Transfem)
- Into More: Henry Giardina: 03/23/2023: AFAB Transfem: What It Means, and What It Doesn’t Mean (https://www.intomore.com/culture/identity/afab-transfem-means-doesnt-mean/)
- LGBTQIA - Wiki - AFAB Transfem (https://lgbtqia.wiki/wiki/AFAB_Transfem)
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