When a person begins living as the gender with which the individual self-identifies rather than the gender associated with the sex assigned at birth. Often includes adopting an appearance congruent with the new gender; telling family, friends and/or co-workers; and, changing name and/or sex on legal documents. May or may not involve medical interventions or surgical procedures.

Note: Definitions related to identity terms vary across communities, cultures, regions, may change across time, and are dependent on an individual’s interpretation and experiences. Not all patients/victims may agree with or identify with the current definitions in this glossary.