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In reply to the discussion: Transgender people must use birth-gender bathroom, says Chattanooga lawmakers’ bill [View all]Zenlitened
(9,488 posts)"Transgender" (abbreviated TG) is kind of a blanket term for all people around the issue of gender expression.
Some within the TG community feel it is overly broad, too encompassing, and they prefer terms that communicate something more specific.
But overall I think there is a fairly clear consensus that TG is a good you-get-the-idea sort of term, and that specifics can be added as needed, like in any conversation.
Regarding implications of pathology, that is exactly the issue in the evolution of some of these terms.
In this case, though, both "crossdresser" (abbreviated CD) and "transgender" ARE the new terms, meant to replace the old, medical terms that, as you point out, seem to imply pathology.
"Crossdresser" replaces "transvestite," while "transgender" sort of replaces "transsexual" (abreviated TS).
I say sort of, because "transgender" didn't just replace, it was also meant to be more inclusive, more encompassing. And "transsexual" is still used at times, primarily by folks who plan to have or have had genital surgery.
I guess you could say a TS person is TG, but a TG person is not necessarily TS. While a CD person is also TG, but might not prefer to be called TG lest someone think they are TS, though they won't really take offense and will simply correct you. And, of course, someone who is TS will almost always prefer not to be called CD, although TG is pretty much fine and no offense will be taken.
Does that clear things up?
Uh, yah, no... no it doesn't at all!
Thus "transgender."
Simple, easy to remember once you get the hang of it, and safe to use in pretty much all occasions when the conversation turns to gender expression.