How to talk about trans people in journalism

A journalistic story can do a great deal of good — or harm. Respectful and inclusive language helps build greater understanding within society and protects trans people from violence and marginalisation. Inappropriate word choices, even when unintentional, can reinforce negative stereotypes that affect the lives of trans people.

When writing a story about a trans person, pay attention to your vocabulary and how you use words. The following table offers a selection of terms — those to prefer, those to use with caution, and those to avoid¹. It also provides alternatives for inappropriate or outdated terms. If you come across an unfamiliar word, refer to the glossary for more information.

The list below is not exhaustive or final, as the trans community is diverse and the words and concepts used within it change over time. These guidelines are meant to help you navigate the terminology more easily.

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¹Some terms are generally not used, but there may be people within the trans community who use them when speaking about themselves. Such cases are explained for each specific word in the table.

Use:

Transgender person, or simply trans person.

The word transgender is an adjective, like dark-haired, long-nailed, or sensitive.

Example: My friend had never heard of transgender people before.

Avoid:

Using the word transgender as a noun to refer to a person.

Example: My friend had never heard of transgenders before.

In Estonian, trans is used as an adjectival prefix. In compound words, it can be written either together with the following word or with a hyphen.

Example: Ella said that trans people have existed since the beginning of time.

Using trans as a standalone noun to refer to a person.

Example: Ella said that transes have existed since the beginning of time.

Trans person (transinimene)

Example: Trans people today can be more open about sharing their experiences than twenty years ago.

Transsexual is not used as a general term for referring to trans people. It is an outdated direct translation from English. The term is considered imprecise in Estonian for describing trans people, as it can be confused with sexual orientation, even though the topic concerns gender.

Some individuals (or groups) may use this word to describe their own identity, and only in such cases is it appropriate to use the term exclusively when referring to that person. It may also be necessary when citing a historical source.

Example: Transsexuals today can be more open about sharing their experiences than twenty years ago.

Gender transition (sooline üleminek) is a process of emotional and/or physical change during which a person begins to live in accordance with their gender identity. The process may, but does not have to, include psychological, social, physical, or legal changes.

When referring specifically to the change of legal gender data in official documents (such as passports, banks, etc.), the appropriate term is gender recognition (soo tunnustamine)² — the legal change of gender information in state registries.

Example: During her gender transition, Helen was eager to complete the process of gender recognition and was waiting for her ID card to display her new gender marker.

Sex change, changing sex — most trans people do not perceive themselves as changing or switching their sex. What changes are gender data, aspects of gender expression, and so on.

Example: During her “sex change,” Helen was eager to complete the process of gender recognition and was waiting for her ID card to display her new gender marker.

Gender-affirming healthcare (transtervishoid) and gender-affirming medical services (soolist üleminekut toetavad tervishoiuteenused) refer to healthcare that trans people may wish or need to access in connection with gender transition or their identity.

Example: Gender-affirming healthcare is life-saving for Marek.

Sex reassignment (soo korrigeerimine) was, until recently, used to refer mainly to healthcare services related to gender transition (such as hormone therapy, surgical procedures, voice training, etc.).

Example: Sex reassignment is life-saving for Marek.

Gender-affirming surgical procedures (soolist üleminekut toetavad kirurgilised protseduurid)

There are many different surgical procedures that trans people may wish or need to undergo, so refer to them in the plural. Remember that not all trans people want medical intervention, but for those who do, it can be vital.

Example: Certain gender-affirming surgical procedures are performed even in Estonia, but unfortunately, I don’t have enough money for them.

Sex change operation is not an accurate term, as there is no single surgical procedure associated with gender transition. Each person makes individual decisions, based on their needs and circumstances, about whether to access gender-affirming healthcare services. Surgery is only one of the available options.

Example: Sex change operations are performed even in Estonia, but unfortunately, I don’t have enough money for one.

Trans person (transinimene)

Example: No one knows how many trans people live in Estonia, as this has not yet been researched.

Transvestite is not related to the modern concept of transgender identity and can come across as derogatory. The term originated in the medical field in the early 20th century, where it was used to describe patients who dressed in ways not matching their sex assigned at birth.

Example: No one knows how many transvestites live in Estonia, as this has not yet been researched.

² Sara Arumetsa. (n.d.). Soo tunnustamine [glossary entry]. Feministeerium. Retrieved February 23, 2024, from https://feministeerium.ee/dictionary/soo-tunnustamine/

³ Arumetsa, S., & Padar, E. (2024). Minu tervis, minu õigused: Taskuteatmik LGBTQI+ inimestele. Think Tank Praxis. Retrieved from https://www.praxis.ee/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/LGBTQI_taskuteatmik.pdf

⁴ Trans Journalists Association. (2024). Stylebook and Coverage Guide. Retrieved February 18, 2024, from https://styleguide.transjournalists.org/