transmasc

Transmasc is a term used in transgender and nonbinary communities to describe people who identify with masculinity and who were assigned a sex other than male at birth. In common usage, transmasc most often refers to individuals assigned female at birth who identify as masculine, including those who identify as a transgender man and some nonbinary people who describe their gender as masculine. The term signals both gender identity and, for some, the masculine presentation they pursue in daily life.

As a form of gender identity, transmasc sits within the broader spectrum of transgender experience. It is distinct from cisgender categories and from fixed male identity, and it emphasizes a masculine sense of self rather than a single path or appearance. Individuals who are transmasc may experience a range of identities, from transgender men to nonbinary people who describe themselves as masculine.

People who are transmasc may pursue a social transition—changing names, pronouns (such as he/him or they/them), and outward presentation—along with potential medical steps such as testosterone therapy or surgeries. However, medical transition is not universal, and many transmasc people exist without pursuing hormones or surgical changes. Everyday expressions of masculinity can vary widely, including voice, posture, clothing, and other forms of presentation.

Language and pronouns should reflect a person’s self-identification. When referring to someone who is transmasc, use their chosen name and pronouns and avoid assumptions about their level of medical transition or identity.