Terminology

[floit63]

This post got me thinking. How many of our arguments (either amongst ourselves or with others) stem from the fact that everyone has a slightly different interpretation of key words we use? I'm going to post a few different words that are rather important when discussing trans issues and I'd love it if everyone could go through and give their definitions of these words so that I can make a list for n00bs (all of them can be anon if you wish). My own definitions will be in the comments.

The Words:
Sex
Gender
Transgender
Transexual
Trans*
Male
Female
Man/boy
Woman/girl
Cisgender
Gay
Lesbian
Straight
Bisexual
Pansexual
Polysexual
Asexual
Ally
Stealth
Out (as in out of the closet, not as in out to the store)
Pride

Comments

[floit63]

Out of curiosity, what would you say about transpeople who identify as pansexual? I occasionally feel like every other transguy online is pansexual/polysexual and I'm not sure how comfortable I am considering them chasers.

And no, polysexual was not a mistake. I've spoken to people who actually have stated a preference so I thought I'd include it in the hopes that *someone* could give me a real reason as to why it's different from pansexual.

[shemale]

Oh, that's less of a problem; with the rare exception, trans people are usually pretty good about not exoticizing themselves and other trans people. Maybe a little pretentious, though.

I've never heard the term "polysexual" before in my life.