• What does ‘cis’ mean?

Cis is short for ‘cisgender’ which means somebody whose gender identity matches the sex they were given at birth. Basically, it means ‘not transgender or non-binary’.

 

  • Who is a Transgender person?

this is a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex.

  • Who is an intersex person?

Intersex is a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn't fit the typical definitions of female or male

For more information & questions regarding intersex conditions, please visit : https://isna.org/faq/

  • What does it mean to be Gender non conforming?

having a gender expression & identity that does not conform to gender norms

 
 

  • What’s the situation like for Intersex, Transgender & Gender-Non-Conforming people in Kenya?

  • What does non-binary mean, and what’s the right way to talk about it?

Non-binary is a term for people who don’t solely identify as either male or female, or may identify as both. Because the binary terms don’t fit, using pronouns such as ‘he’ or ‘she’ might not be right, so when you talk to someone who’s non-binary simply find a good moment and ask them how they would prefer to be addressed. It might be ‘they’ instead of he or she, it might be something different.

It may take a bit of getting used to, but it causes you no harm and it will make that person feel acknowledged and valid. It’s not that long ago that some people struggled with accepting that some women wanted to be called Ms instead of Miss, but we got used to the common courtesy of simply asking people how they wanted to be addressed. This is no different.

  • Why do some I.T.GNC people need to have gender reassignment surgery (a 'sex change operation') ?

  • Why are I.T.GNC people calling for their gender to be changed in their documents?

  • It all feels complicated and I’m frightened of saying the wrong thing

Understanding gender identity and trans issues can be confusing at first. Nobody is expecting you to know everything right away and it’s ok to ask questions if the person you’re talking to is happy to answer them. Some trans people feel comfortable discussing their identity, some people don’t. If you want to find out more about the experiences of some trans people, you can hear them in their own words from resources online such as youtube and facebook.

If you say the wrong thing by accident (which happens sometimes to most people), just apologize. Recognize you’ve got it wrong and move on. We’re all human and people slip up sometimes. As long as you have good intentions, most trans* and intersex people will appreciate you acknowledging your blunder and help you get it right. It’s important that we have real, honest, respectful conversations.

  • So, could a lesbian have a trans woman as a lesbian partner, or a gay man be with a trans man?

Of course. If they fancy each other. First and foremost, we need to recognize that trans women are women, trans men are men ,Gender diverse persons are. After that it becomes a matter of who you are attracted to. Adults are free to have relationships with other consenting adults, whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

  • What does deadnaming and misgendering mean?

Deadnaming is when people refer to a trans person using the name they had before they transitioned. Misgendering is when someone refers to a trans person using the gender they were assigned at birth instead of their real gender.

When done deliberately, they’re both deeply hurtful to trans people. If you hear people do this, stand up as an ally and challenge the person saying it, if it’s safe for you to do so. You can get tips on challenging transphobic bullying here.

  • What can I do to be an ally to trans people?

More and more people and organisations are recognizing the importance of stepping up and being a vocal ally to trans people.

But there are also lots of small steps you can take to be a trans ally from an individual level. Whether it’s online or in real life, simply listening to - and supporting - trans voices can make a huge difference.