03/27/2026
I noticed quite a few offensive terms being thrown around my community and I wanted to ensure that my stance is clear:
The following terms are considered OFFSENSIVE and SHOULD NOT BE USED:
in an effort to provide full transparency I am using Google Gemini AI as an assistance tool to write the following list:
TRIGGER WARNING:
The following list contains terms that may be triggering and are offensive. They may perpetuate unhealthy stereotypes and cause harm to members of our community. The use of these terms should be avoided, and they are only being listed here in an effort to convey community transparency.
List of Offending Terms:
"Tr**ny" (Also known as a 'T-slur') is HIGHLY OFFSNSIVE.
The term is widely recognized as a derogatory slur because it has historically been used to dehumanize, mock, and marginalize transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. Its origins are deeply tied to a history of transphobia, where it served as a tool for harassment and was frequently associated with physical violence against the community. Beyond its use as an insult, the word has been used extensively in the fetishization and objectification of trans bodies—particularly in pornography—which strips individuals of their agency and reduces their identity to a caricature. Because it is a label typically imposed by others to assert power or express contempt, rather than a term of self-identification, its use is seen as a fundamental rejection of a person's dignity and their right to define their own gender.
The term: AFAB/AMAB (Stands for: 'Assigned Male/Female At Birth') is OFFENSIVE.
While the terms AFAB (Assigned Female At Birth) and AMAB (Assigned Male At Birth) were originally developed to provide a clinical way to describe the s*x a person was assigned at birth without using essentialist language like "born a girl," they are increasingly criticized when used outside of specific medical or historical contexts. The primary concern is that these labels can become a form of "misgendering lite," where people use a person's birth assignment as a permanent, defining category that supersedes their actual gender identity. When communities or individuals use these terms to group people—such as "AFAB-only spaces"—it often reinforces biological essentialism, suggesting that shared anatomy at birth is more significant than lived experience or identity. Additionally, for many inters*x individuals, these terms can feel reductive or inaccurate, as they may mask the complexity of their biological development or the fact that an assignment was made forcibly or incorrectly by medical professionals.
Terms to Avoid for a More Inclusive Community
"Transgendered": Transgender is an adjective, not a verb. Using it with an "-ed" suffix implies that being trans is something that happened to a person or an action they took, rather than an innate part of who they are. Use Transgender instead.
"Hermaphrodite": This is an outdated medical term that is now considered a derogatory slur when applied to humans. The respectful and accurate term is Inters*x, which acknowledges biological diversity without dehumanization.
"S*x Change": This phrase reduces a deeply personal and holistic journey of self-actualization to a mere medical procedure. Use Gender Affirmation or Transition to describe the process of aligning one's life with their identity.
"Preferred Pronouns": Using the word "preferred" suggests that a person’s pronouns are a choice or a polite suggestion rather than a mandatory fact of their identity. Simply use the term Pronouns.
"Biological Male/Female" or "AFAB/AMAB": These terms are often used as "misgendering lite" to reduce people to their birth assignment or anatomy. Focus on a person's True Gender Identity and lived experience. Remember: Hearts Not Parts.
Behaviors to Avoid: Creating Safe and Inclusive Spaces
Deadnaming: This is the act of using a transgender person’s birth name (the name they no longer use). Whether intentional or accidental, it is deeply painful and invalidating. It is a fundamental rejection of a person’s self-determined identity. Always use a person's current name.
Misgendering: Using the wrong pronouns (he/she/they) or gendered language (sir/ma'am) after being informed of a person's identity. Consistently misgendering someone is a form of harassment that signals a lack of respect for their reality.
Invasive Questioning: Avoid asking about a person’s medical history, surgeries, or "what’s in their pants." A person’s transition and their body are private. Our focus should always be on "Hearts Not Parts."
Outing: Never reveal a person’s transgender or inters*x status to others without their explicit permission. Doing so can jeopardize their safety, employment, and mental health. A person’s story belongs to them and them alone.
Performative Curiosity: Avoid asking trans people to be your personal "Google." It is not the responsibility of marginalized individuals to educate others on basic terminology or civil rights. Take the initiative to learn through available resources.
Gender Policing: Do not comment on whether someone "looks" trans enough or passes as their gender. Gender expression is unique to every individual, and there is no "correct" way to exist as a transgender person.
Thank you for taking the time to read and understand why this type of language can be harmful and create barriers of acceptance in our community. I appreciate those who took the time to understand my perspective and apply it to the language they use when engaging with my community.
Ya'll have a beautiful day. - Gn47
