LGBT Health - Transgender Persons | Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Image of a transgender couple

"Transgender" is a term that describes gender identity, gender expression, and behavior that does not conform with socially ascribed gender norms for one's biological sex at birth. Included within transgender are transsexuals, individuals who alter their bodies with hormones or surgery so that their gender identity and biological sex at birth match more closely. Others may express gender in less permanent ways, including through clothing, hair, makeup, pronoun usage, and other gender expression behaviors. Still others choose not to alter their external appearance. Regardless, transgender persons are unified by the desire to be seen and treated in a way consistent with how they self-identify.

Sexual orientation refers to the sex of people someone is attracted to and has sexual interest in, while gender identity refers to a person's internal understanding of his or her own gender. Someone who is transgender may identify as heterosexual, bisexual, or gay or lesbian.

Transgender people have many of the same health concerns as non-transgender people. There is a relative lack of data on transgender people but existing research suggests that transgender people have higher rates of adverse outcomes in substance abuse, HIV, depression, anxiety, self-harm, and violence.

The following selection of resources is intended to increase awareness of health issues and disparities affecting transgender people.
Hyperlinks marked in the content below are Wisconsin resources.

LGBT Health - Transgender Persons

General Resources

Alcohol And Drugs

Cancer

HIV/AIDS

Mental Health

Sexual Health

Tobacco

Violence/Safety