A.M.A.B.
(also: assigned male at birth, C.A.M.A.B., f.A.M.A.B., d.f.a.b.)
Table of Contents
Introduction
The term A.M.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 "amab" as it is often regarded as simply reducing people down to their genitalia.
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General Information
The term amab 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 (dmab, 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 amab.
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A.M.A.B. Trans Man Pride Flag
This flag is used to represent transmasculine people who were AMAB. Typically used by intersex people who were forced to undergo hormonal or surgical treatments during childhood and are looking to reclaim their masculinity.
Click here to go to the Transmasculine 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
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