The Transgender Dictionary

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Transfeminine

(also: transfem, transfemme, trans-feminine)

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Introduction

The term transfeminine is a broad term with wide application. Not everyone who can technically be categorized as being transfeminine will identify as such. While it is a neutral, inoffensive term, it should not be used to refer to those who do not wish to be referred to as such (as with any other gendered terminology). Always ask before using gendered labels for other people. The general topic of transgender women has been included on this page. Not everyone who is transfeminine is a trans woman, and not every trans woman uses the label of transfeminine.

An individual simply being transfeminine says nothing further about said person's qualities. As with cisgender women, transgender women can present themselves in any sort of manner. Hobbies, personalities, activities, all vary as well (as none of these things are linked to being cis or trans). Being transgender is only one part of a person, and does not define a person's entire existence.

All that being said, there is plenty of overlap. Not only is there plenty of overlap to be found among various people who identify as transgender women and/or transfeminine, but there is overlap between the experiences of those who are cisgender as well. The overlap in experiences between various individuals who identify as transfeminine can be united under the label of the transfeminine community. The overlap in experiences among transgender and cisgender women is simply known as womanhood.

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 to the interaction what a doctor observed upon her birth in polite conversation.

This page exists for two primary purposes. Purpose one; explain the basics of transfemininity to those who know nothing. Purpose two; help those who suspect they may be transfeminine figure out where to start. Don't be afraid to click around to try and find something that will help you.

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.

Click here to jump to [A] category [Ally] page [Transgender Women & Girls] section.

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General Information

Transfeminine is an umbrella term refering to anyone who transitions to a more feminine gender. Transfeminine is used to include both binary trans women and certain enben (ex. demigirls, nonbinary transfem) in conversations where their experiences overlap with one another. As mentioned previously, not all transgender women identify as transfeminine, and not all transfeminine people identify as transgender women.

Generally speaking, those who are transfeminine will experience gender dysphoria regarding being (or being perceived as) masculine. This distress results in most transfeminine people taking steps towards femininity in either the deliberate or unconcious pursuit of gender euphoria. There is no time frame in which this must happen. Some girls recognize themselves very early on in life, and never learn what it is like to live as men. Others may only uncover and understand these feelings late in life. Regardless of when one understands who she is, there is no "too late" or "too early" and it is important to simply do what makes yourself comfortable once you understand what it is that will do that.

There are many steps that can be taken by those who identify as transfeminine to make themselves more comfortable within their own bodies. To let the outside reflect what is within. These steps are highly personal to every individual. It is most common for those who are transfeminine to choose a more feminine name, to switch to she/her pronouns, try out nail polish and/or makeup, and to dress in a more feminine manner. Many seek out fht, surgeries, and various gender affirming garments.

The transition goals for every individual transfeminine individual will vary from person to person. Some will continue to present masculine while still seeking out medical transition. Others will present feminine without desiring surgery. Some will remain trapped in the closet for safety. Some will go stealth while others don't hide who they are. It is not always possible to tell who is or isn't transfeminine.

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The Transition of a Binary Transgender Woman

To keep things concise, this section will be providing examples of the things that a stereotypical transgender women would seek out in a very binary gender transition. Please keep in mind that not every transgender woman seeks out everything on this list in this order. Everything mentioned has varying levels of commonality. Please click on underlined terms for additional information.

Everyone has different levels of gender dysphoria and has different methods of obtaining gender euphoria. Transmedicalism should not be tolerated. There is no treatment or surgery that makes anyone more or less of a woman. The only thing that can determine how much of a woman a particular person is is self-identification.

Social transition is typically the first and simplest step. Most transgender women will abandon their deadnames for new names, typically preferring ones with a feminine connotation. Switching to she/her pronouns, and requesting that others switch to more fitting terminology (ex. daughter/mother/sister/girlfriend/wife/woman/girl/aunt/etc) in day to day conversation.

Social transition also consists of non-permenant physical changes. This includes growing out head hair, shaving body hair, trying out nail polish (start with clear nail polish if you're nervous about it), trying out makeup (try the drugstore if you're anxious about it), and wearing clothing from the women's section. Some trans women will find some difficulty in locating and obtaining feminine clothing that is in the correct size.

A more permenant change is that of legal transition. Depending on location, certain transitional steps are required prior to changing one's name and gender on legal documents. In some places, this process can be costly, lenthy, and sometimes illegal. The Transgender Dictionary does not provide legal advice, but will let you know that legal transition will look very, very different depending on where you are.

GAHT in the form of taking estrogen is a very common step in the transition of a transgender woman. 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.

Regardless of if a transgender woman had access to puberty blockers, estrogen is still a powerful hormone that greatly alleviates gender dysphoria. Most transgender women desire breasts. While some will try out breast forms prior to other treatments, or try out top surgery later in life, hormonal treatment allows trans women to grow a pair.

Breast augmentation is not the surgery that is available to (or desired by) transgender women. Feminizing hormonal treatment unfortunately does not alter the voice, resulting in many transgender woman seeking out voice feminization surgery (note that this is generally done after attempting the less invasive process known as voice training).

Most transgender women experience gender dysphoria regarding their genitalia. Non-surgically, this dysphoria can be alliviated via tucking. Surgically, this can be treated via a customizable combination of orchiectomy (removal of the testes), penectomy (removal of the penis), vaginoplasty (creation of a neovagina), and labiaplasty.

Some transgender women will additionally seek out facial feminization surgeries.

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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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Dating

This section is a work in progress.

Click to jump to [D] category [Dating Advice] page [For Transgender Women] section.

Click to jump to [D] category [Dating Advice] page [Partners of Transfeminine People Resources] section.

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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.

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, transmisogyny, nonbinary, intersex.

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