Social Transitioning
Updated:Social transitioning refers to the process by which a person begins to live and present themselves in accordance with their gender identity, rather than the gender they were assigned at birth. This process typically involves changes in appearance, name, pronouns, and social behaviors, without necessarily including medical interventions like hormone therapy or surgery.
Additional Information
Social transitioning is often an important step for transgender and non-binary individuals in aligning their outward expression with their internal sense of gender. It can involve a wide range of changes, such as adopting new clothing styles, hairstyles, or makeup; using a different name or pronouns; and modifying speech patterns or body language. The specifics of social transitioning vary greatly from person to person, as each individual's gender expression is unique.
It's important to note that social transitioning is a personal journey, and there's no "right" way to do it. Some people may choose to transition in all aspects of their life at once, while others may do so gradually or only in certain contexts. Support from family, friends, and society plays a crucial role in the well-being of individuals going through social transition.
Examples
A transgender woman asking her colleagues to use she/her pronouns and her chosen name at work
A non-binary teenager experimenting with different clothing styles to find a look that feels authentic to their gender identity