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Transfeminine, often abbreviated to transfem or transfemme, refers to transgender people who have a gender identity that is predominantly feminine.[1] Another definition refers to transgender people who typically were assigned male at birth and whose genders are mainly feminine. Transfeminine people may or may not identify as female.[2] It can be a standalone identity term or an umbrella term that may include certain identities, such as:[3]

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Etymology[]

The term "transfeminine" may or may not have been coined by Jane Nance in 1985 in the article "TRANSFEMININE!!!", which was published in the journal The TV-TS Tapestry. Nance described being assigned male at birth and having a feminine identity, not a "basic male self-identity". However, the existing "transvestite" and "transsexual" terminology of the time was inadequate and did not account for not feeling like "a male dressing in women's clothes" when presenting as a woman, having a self-image as a woman, but lacking an interest in surgical transition. Nance wondered, "Do we need another term or category to cover my particular reality? Maybe! Could it be 'transfeminine' (a male who feels like a female, strictly undefined in relation to any issue of an operation) - perhaps!"[4]

Community[]

Flag[]

TransfeminineFlag2

An alternative transfeminine flag design

The transfeminine flag was made available online as early as July 4, 2015. It has blue stripes at the top and bottom, and various shades of pink for the inner stripes. However, its creator and exact meanings are unknown.[5] Other transfeminine flag designs are available online, such as the one shown here composed of only pink stripes.[6]

Distinction[]

Not all people who are transfeminine, or transfem, identify as a woman. Any feminine identifying non-binary person, demigirl, or other femininely aligned transgender person would be considered transfem as well.[3]

References[]

  1. Definition of transfeminine on pronouns.page: https://en.pronouns.page/dictionary/terminology#transfeminine
  2. What Does It Mean to Be Transfeminine? 12 Things to Consider (healthline.com)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Hardell, Ash. The ABC's of LGBT+. Mango Media Inc., 2016. ISBN 9781633534087.
  4. Nance, Jane. "TRANSFEMININE!!!". The TV-TS Tapestry: The Journal for Persons Interested in Crossdressing & Transsexualism. no. 47, Tiffany Club, 1985. (web archive)
  5. pride-flags: "Trans Woman / Transfeminine (1)" (2015-07-04). deviantart.com. (Archived on June 24, 2022).
  6. pride-flags: "Trans Woman / Transfeminine (3)" (2016-06-14). deviantart.com. (Archived on June 3, 2023).
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