Lisette Lahana,MSW, LCSW
Consultation, Psychotherapy and Training 1-800-928-9085

Gender Identity is a person's internal or psychological sense of self as a man, a woman, a combination of both or neither gender. Biological Sex is different than gender as it refers to aspects of the body such as the genitals, hair growth (secondary sex characteristics), genetic make-up and/or hormone levels.
Transgender is an umbrella term that can describe a person whose internal sense of their gender is different from their biological sex. It can also include anyone who feels they do not fit traditional expectations about being a man or woman. For example, a man could identify as transgendered if he crossdresses in female clothing.
Crosssdressers also known by a less frequently used term transvestite, are usually men who enjoy wearing clothing female clothing items. Some crossdressers dress in female clothing or undergarments in private while others have a community and/or activities they take part in while crossdressed and in the female role. Because women in westernized societies so frequently wear clothes we associate with masculinity, like baseball caps, women are usually not labeled as crossdressers.
Transsexual is a term for a person whose internal gender identity feels opposite to their anatomical sex. A transsexual person may feel "trapped in the wrong body" and often seeks medical, social or legal changes to make their physical appearance and gender role fit with their self-image. A transsexual person may identify themselves in many ways, as a trans person, pre-operative, post-operative or simply as a man or woman.
Intersex (formerly called hermaphrodite)is a term used for a person with a 'disorder of sex development,' where a person develops reproductive, genetic or sexual anatomy that doesn't fit the typical definitions for a female or male. For example, a person might be born appearing to be female on the outside, but having XY (male) chromosomes. (Definition adapted from ISNA.org) Though many intersexed people do not identify as transgendered, some of their social, legal or medical issues can be similar to trans people. Sexuality is different than a person's gender identity. Sexuality is about who a person is attracted to or who they want to be intimate with. Gender is more about what a person feels inside and how they want to be seen by others. You cannot make assumptions, like thinking someone is gay, just because they have started to crossdress. Ask them but be prepared for them to say 'no.' Gender and sexuality are very personal topics for most everyone.
As a Gender Specialist* I help answer more questions and sort through options for gender expression.