Transgender: was intended to refer to a person whose gender identity does not match his or her biological sex, but who does not want to get sex-reassignment surgery (surgery to remove a person's external sexual organs and construct those of the opposite sex). However, transgender can also be used as an umbrella term for anyone whose gender identity does not completely match his or her gender assignment (based on whether he or she has a penis or a vagina), or as a euphemism for transsexual. Read these fast facts on transgender for more info.

Transsexual: refers to someone who not only identifies with a gender other than the one assigned at birth, but wants or has already gone through surgical or hormonal procedures to change his or her sex.

Transvestite: a transvestite enjoys dressing in clothing typically worn by the opposite gender but does not wish to live as a member of that gender or feel like he or she was born the wrong sex. Transvestites usually cross-dress for sexual pleasure, not because they identify as a member of the opposite gender.

Intersex: is a phrase that refers to those born with a mixture of male and female organs. For example, someone born with ovaries and some male genitalia. Some experts believe that those born as intersex may make up 4% of all births. However, many doctors have been known to make a decision about the sex and perform the required surgery during infancy.

Pangender: is used to describe people who do not identify with the term male or female. The person may feel they are a mix of either genders, genderless or another gender altogether.