Because of this, in many ways, trans teens have a larger struggle for acceptance and understanding compared to other queer teens.

This lack of information does not mean there is something wrong with you. It means that society has been slow to learn. But it will. If you are transgendered or think that you might be, reach out for help. Despite the lack of knowledge about trans teens, you are not alone and there are resources for you.

Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe people whose gender identity or gender expression is different than their biological sex or physical anatomy. Gender identity is defined as someone’s internal sense of being male or female, meaning; does this person feel male or female? And gender expression is how someone expresses their gender identity – what clothes they wear, their hairstyle, and their body language. In today’s society, most people take cues from someone’s gender expression to decide that person’s biological sex. As mentioned above, transgender is an umbrella term that covers many different groups of people including: cross dressers, transsexuals, people who are intersex, drag kings and queens, and others.

Many in the scientific community think that being transgender is due to complicated biological factors. They also believe that these factors are already determined by the time someone is born, which means that someone does not choose to be transgender – you are born transgender. Some people are born with both male and female genitalia or unclear genitalia and are considered intersex. Many times, intersex people have surgery during infancy or early childhood to assign them to one sex or another. Sometimes, the doctors and parents don’t always choose the right sex and that child can grow up with gender identity issues that imitate those experienced by transgenders.

Since transgender is an umbrella term that covers many different but related groups of people, self-description can be really important to transgender people. Throughout the transgender community, there is some debate on what terms can be applied to whom. Some people, who have already had surgery to change their sex, don’t consider themselves transsexual anymore. They’ve become the opposite sex. In the end, it’s is a very personal choice and no one person can decide who they are but themselves.

It is not uncommon, however, for straight trans people to come out as gay, lesbian, or bisexual while they are trying to figure out their gender identities.

For example, someone may be biologically male and feel attracted to other males and assume they are gay. As time goes on however, they realize that their gender identity is female. So really, regarding gender they are a female attracted to a male.

Transgender people many times are lumped together with gay, lesbian, or bisexual people because they share many of the same struggles. Gender expression and sexual orientation many times overlap. Because of this, much of the anti-queer sentiments out there have much more to do with gender expression than sexual orientation. For example, a male who paints is nails, and wears short shorts and tight shirts often times will be teased and called gay. He may be gay, but he may also be transgender, or he may be straight and just like wearing short shorts and tight shirts. He is being teased because he is stepping outside his traditional gender role. He is not being teased because of his sexual orientation; he is being teased for his gender expression.

If think you may be transgendered, there is help out there for you. You can call TeenLine Hawaii at 808-521-TEEN for local resources and support groups. Another good website is http://iamtransgendered.com/ which can provide good information such as books, support groups, and information on being transgendered.