The Transgender Dictionary

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Transfeminine

(also: transfem, transfemme, trans-feminine)

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Introduction

Transfeminine is an umbrella term refering to anyone who transitions to a more feminine gender. This term has also been used to refer to anyone who identifies as both transgender and as feminine. However, the term is more commonly used to refer to those transitioning to become more feminine.

Transfeminine is used to include both binary trans women and certain nonbinary people (ex. demigirls) in conversations where their experiences overlap with one another. That being said, not all transgender women identify as transfeminine, and not all transfeminine people identify as transgender women.

While there are some people who are intersex or were AFAB that identify as transfem, it is a label that is generally associated with those who were AMAB. Unless the transfeminine individual that you are interacting with wishes to draw attention to her assigned gender (or any implications that come alongside that) it is generally considered good etiquette not to address it. When faced with a transgender woman, it is irrelevant what a doctor observed upon her birth in polite conversation.

If you come across words, terms, phrases, etc on this page that you are unfamiliar with, please feel free to utilize the alphabet menu buttons at the top of this page to navigate to a relevant definition. Clicking on underlined words, terms, phrases, etc throughout the body of this page will lead you to other, relevant sections of The Transgender Dictionary. Clicking on links in the "external links" portion of this page, will bring you to websites that are not part of The Transgender Dictionary. I encourage you, the reader, to seek out as many resources as possible when it comes to forming your own opinions on various topics.

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General Information

People who identify as transfeminine generally wish to appear more feminine, either through physical bodily means, gender expression, or both. Some transfem people will undergo surgeries and hormones, while socially presenting with masculine clothing and/or make up. Others will go full femme. Some will only change clothes/presentation without any physical transition.

As with cisgender women, transgender women can present themselves in any sort of manner. Hobbies, personalities, activities, all vary as well. Being transgender is only one part of a person, and does not define a person's entire existence.

Regardless of gender presentation, like any trans people, transfeminine individuals are often subject to not only transphobia, but more specifically by transmisogyny as well. This is something that is unlikely to change, at least not until there is further widespread understanding and acceptance of those who are transfeminine. If you know someone struggling to wrap their minds around the concept of transfemininity, consider sharing this page (or perhaps a different resource that is linked below) to help educate them on the topic.

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The Transition of a Binary Transgender Woman

For the purposes of providing examples of what sorts of things a stereotypical transgender woman would seek out, I will be describing a binary transition. Please keep in mind that not every transgender woman seeks out everything on this list. Everything mentioned has varying levels of how common they are.

This is simply for demonstration, and for helping anyone unsure of where to start find the relevant pages on this website. Every transgender person has different levels of gender dysphoria and does different things to seek out gender euphoria. I'm no transmed - no one is more or less trans just because they get a surgery that someone else doesn't.

Most transgender women will change their names to more feminine-sounding ones. They will typically use she/her pronouns, and prefer being described using feminine language. Though it can be difficult to do, depending on the location, many transgender women will undergo legal transition, to have their documents match their identities.

Some lucky transgender girls are able to access puberty blockers to avoid the trauma and gender dysphoria surrounding the unwanted masculine puberty they would otherwise be forced to undergo.

Most transgender women desire breasts, which can be obtained in a few different ways. Undergoing GAHT in the form of estrogen will feminize the body in various ways, including the growth of breasts. Some transgender women will wear breast forms prior to taking medical steps. Some trans women unsatisfied by the effects of estrogen will undergo top surgery.

Most transgender women will seek out GAHT to deal with most aspects of bodily gender dysphoria. GAHT helps a lot when it comes to passing as a woman as it softens the skin, reduces facial hair growth, causes breast growth, and overall feminizes the body of the person taking it. Some women will try voice training to optimize their voices. Some women will undergo voice feminization surgery or FFS if they are not happy with the results of GAHT.

Many transgender women experience some level of bottom gender dysphoria (aka. dysphoria regarding genitalia). Many transgender women will tuck to have the appearance of not having external genitalia. Some trans women seek out surgeries such as vaginoplasty and/or labiaplasty to surgically obtain a neovagina. Some transgender women will get orchis to remove the testes.

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Flags

AFAB Transfeminine/AFAB Trans Woman Flag/Inclusive Trans Woman 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.

There are no officially known meanings for this flag.

Click to jump to links regarding AFAB transfems.

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Transfeminine Flag

The most commonly used transfem flag, tis flag is used to represent all transfeminine people. This flag was originally posted to Deviant Art by user pride-flags in July of 2015. The designer of this flag was anonymous.

The blue stripes on the transfeminine flag represent masculinity.

The pink stripes on the transfeminine flag represent both transitioning to femininity and the spectrum of femininity.

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Trans Woman/Trans Girl Flag

This flag is used to represent transgender women and transgender girls.

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Transfeminine Honeybee Flag

This flag is used by transfeminine people who do not wish to disclose their AGAB.

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The links below are provided for one of the following reasons; entertainment, education, research, or are sources for information above. The ideas contained within the links below do not inherently represent those of The Transgender Dictionary. The links below did not pay to be featured, and are not explicitly associated with The Transgender Dictionary.

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Forums

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United States-Based Resources

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Additional Resources

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See also the pages for; transmasculine, nonbinary, intersex.