LGBTAitp 27: Of Shoes, and Ships, and Sealing Wax

[Astrella]

Starting to write things down, I notice I'm once again lost in definitions and meanings. I always thought I understood what the different words like "transgender" and "transexual" mean, but maybe I don't. Anyone willing to explain the different labels to me, again?

Now, I know there is a difference made between one's sexual orientation (if one's sexually interested in either males or females) and one's gender (whether one identifies as male or female). One's sex being whether one has the physical bits and one's gender being what one feels like inside. I always assumed this meant that transsexuals would want SRS and hormones etc, while a transgender person wouldn't per se. However, given that I've seen people who've gone through SRS and taking hormones identify as transgender, clearly this isn't how the label is used. What am I missing?

Even sex is a lot more complicated than just what genitals someone has.

The two terms have switched meanings at least once; and they're often used interchangeably, so I wouldn't fuss too much about which one you use. Transgender these days also sorta has a meaning of being an umbrella term for everyone who deviates from their assigned gender; while transsexual tends to be a bit more specific for people who do physical transition stuff. But since these labels are mostly self-applied it doesn't really matter that much. Use the one you feel best with.

Where is here, if I may ask?

Belgium~