FAQ

What Does It Mean to Be Trans? "Trans" is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. In the vast majority of cases, our sex is announced the moment we are born—with the declaration, "It’s a boy!" or "It’s a girl!" People who have never had reason to question the correctness of that announcement are cisgender. This applies to most people.

Trans people, on the other hand, have at some point felt that the gender announced at birth does not truly fit or represent who they are. It is important to note that this does not refer to biological sex characteristics, but rather to a person's inner experience of their own gender.

The trans umbrella encompasses trans men, trans women, and non-binary individuals, including those who undergo gender-affirming medical procedures and those who do not. In English, "trans" is used as an adjective (e.g., "to be trans" or "she is a trans woman").

Unrelated to Sexual Orientation Being trans is about gender identity, not sexual orientation. Trans people can have any sexual orientation. In the past, it was mistakenly believed that a person was only "truly" trans if they identified as heterosexual after transitioning. Today, our understanding has advanced significantly; medical professionals no longer view heterosexuality as a more desirable outcome of transition than any other sexual orientation.

Trans Children Because conversations surrounding trans issues have become much more open, trans people are now able to express their gender identity at an increasingly younger age. In Iceland today, there are numerous examples of primary school—and even preschool-aged—children who are trans and living authentically as the gender that feels right to them.

Trans? Man or Woman? Many people confuse the terms "trans man" and "trans woman." A good rule of thumb is that we always refer to people as the gender they are today. Therefore, a trans man is someone who was perceived by society as a girl or woman during childhood (or longer) but lives today as a man.

Some trans people choose to use the word "trans" to describe themselves, calling themselves a trans woman, for example. Others rarely or never use the term, for various personal reasons. For many trans individuals, navigating a gender transition or being perceived as a different gender in childhood is a deeply formative part of their identity. Thus, they feel it is important to use the word "trans" to highlight this significant journey. Others experience this differently and do not view being trans as a central aspect of who they are. To them, it is simply more important to be seen as a woman, a man, or a person (rather than a trans woman, trans man, or trans person), and they may prefer that others do not know they are trans. It is vital to respect everyone's personal preference in this matter.

Gender Identity Gender identity is how a person experiences and wishes to live in their own gender. It does not refer to anatomy, biology, or physical appearance, but rather to an internal sense of self. Everyone has a gender identity, because everyone experiences their gender in some way.

Most people never have to think twice about their gender identity because it aligns perfectly with the sex they were assigned at birth. In other words, most people are cisgender and have never had to doubt that the sex announced by the midwife at birth is their true gender. Others doubt or know with certainty that the sex assigned by the midwife does not represent who they are, and they are trans.

Gender identity comes in many forms. Some people experience themselves as men, others as women, and some experience themselves as a blend of both or neither, identifying as non-binary. Some choose to undergo medical treatments or take hormones to align their bodies and appearance with their gender identity, a process known as transitioning. Others do not wish to undergo such procedures.

Transitioning Gender transition is a process that some trans people go through to align their lives and bodies with their true gender. This can include hormone therapy, chest surgery, and/or genital surgeries. Transitioning does not exclusively refer to surgical procedures, though surgery can be a component of the process.

Medical Procedures Are Not Required to Be Trans Some trans people choose hormone therapy but forgo surgery. Others may choose specific surgeries, such as top surgery (chest reconstruction), while skipping other medical interventions. Each individual's path is deeply personal and guided by their own needs. In Iceland, it is not mandatory to undergo any medical procedures or hormone therapy to legally change one's gender marker in the national registry (Þjóðskrá). People are trans regardless of whether they choose to undergo a medical transition.

What Does It Mean to Be Non-Binary? Non-binary individuals are those whose gender identity falls outside the traditional gender binary of strictly man or woman. Some non-binary people feel entirely outside of this binary, others feel they belong to more than one gender, and some experience a gender identity that is fluid.

In Icelandic, the gender-neutral pronoun hán is commonly used, while in English, the singular they/them or other gender-neutral pronouns are most frequent. Some individuals may also use multiple sets of pronouns.

What Do I Do Now?

The First Steps Breathe! It is completely normal to feel worried, but many others have walked this path before you, and we are here to support you. This can feel overwhelming at first, but let’s try to break it down and make it a bit simpler for you.

Our Facebook Group: We run a Facebook group where you can ask questions, get advice, or find support. This is a closed, private group, and no one is admitted without a valid reason. Please send a message to the page administrators to request to join. The group is kept strictly private because many trans children and youth in Iceland live authentically as their true selves without the wider public knowing.

Samtökin ’78 (The National Queer Organization): They offer free education and counseling. You can book a counseling session here.

Support Meetings: Samtökin ’78 also hosts support meetings for parents and relatives on the last Wednesday of every month at 20:00 (8 PM) at Suðurgata 3, 101 Reykjavík.

Get in Touch: You are always welcome to send us an email, and we will assist you to the best of our ability. Samtökin ’78 also provides a wealth of information on their website.

What About Access? (e.g., Swimming Pools and Gyms) Trans Ísland has compiled a list of swimming pools and fitness centers that offer private changing cubicles and warmly welcome trans individuals who wish to use them. You can access that list here.

What About Sports for Trans Children and Youth? The National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland (ÍSÍ) has published a helpful guide, developed in collaboration with Samtökin ’78 and Trans Allies. See it here.

What About Information on Psychologists and Art Therapists? Please feel free to contact us or Samtökin ’78 directly, as these provider lists are updated frequently.