Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe someone whose gender identity does not necessarily match their sex assigned at birth. The transgender umbrella can include people who identify as transsexual, genderqueer, gender fluid and nonbinary.

While these terms may help in understanding the gender spectrum, the language of gender identity is constantly evolving. The term transgender is often used to describe transsexuals, an older term describing people who change their bodies with surgery or hormones, in addition to clothing choices, to live in the world as the gender they feel in their hearts – their gender identity or true, authentic self.

Though impossible to know for sure, the 2016 Williams Institute report, “How many Adults Identify as Transgender in The United States,” estimated that transgender people make up roughly 0.76 percent of California’s population. The transgender community is a diverse group with different socioeconomic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, educational levels, physical abilities and sexual orientations. Transgender people face discrimination and many experience other serious challenges such as increased risk of violence, suicidal thoughts, unemployment, poverty and HIV infection.

In 2013, PAMF launched the Transgender Advocacy Committee to support and provide competent and effective healthcare for transgender patients. This initiative led to the development of Sutter Health’s Comprehensive Gender Care Program. 

Here are more resources for trans people and their allies.