Transgender

Transgender is a relatively new term that is usually applied to changing one's birth sex and its associated gender. Some transgender people who desire medical assistance to transition from one sex to another identify as transsexual. Transgender, often shortened as trans, is also used as an umbrella term; where it includes people whose gender identity is the opposite of their sex at birth (trans men and trans women),and people who are non-binary. In Scotland the term also includes people who cross dress, also known as transvestite .

Being transgender is distinct from sexual orientation.

People who transition from one sex to another sometimes return to their original birth sex identity. This is called de transitioning (see detransition). A high profile case which lead to a court case is Keira Bell who lost her ability to give birth to children because of treatment received as a young person becoming a trans man. In recent years there has been a lot of polarisation in lgbt communities over the issue of transgender rights and whether people identifying as transgender should be able to change their legal identity based on self identification. There is also debate about women's rights to single sex spaces such as toilets and changing rooms. The Gender Recognition Act requires an assessment and has safeguards to ensure those changing their legal status are fully qualified and prepared for the change.

A lack of evidence on medical interventions in gender care was highlighted by the review conducted by Dr Hilary Cass, published in April 2024. With specific reference to children, Dr Cass raised concerns about what she called "diagnostic overshadowing" - when patients' other healthcare issues were overlooked in cases of patients questioning their gender. The report recommends that young people referred to the new clinics should have a "holistic assessment", which Dr Cass says should include screening for neuro-development conditions such as autism and a mental-health assessment .

The number of people identifying as transgender in the UK is not known. A question was asked in the 2021 UK Census but the figures given were shown to be unreliable. The Census data suggested that the London Boroughs of Newham and Brent had the highest number of transgender people. Both have a large number of residents who spoke English as their second language, adding to concerns that the question may have been misinterpreted .