Whenever I go to somewhere that lists transgender as a gender they always do it like this: Trans* But why is there an asterisk? Usually when I see an asterisk when reading I go to the bottom of the page looking for a footnote, but there is no footnote. There is only an asterisk with no explanation as to why. So why is there an asterisk? I'm very confused.
It's meant to make the term inclusive of all identities under the trans umbrella, so that it's not just Transgender or Transsexual.
I was aware of that as well, but I also pictured it as the asterisk acting as a footnote as well basically saying that they're a male/female but were AFAB/AMAB
It refers to all non-cis people. For example: non-binaries, agender, neutrios, gender-queer, demi-boy/girl, as well as typical (FtM or MtF) transgender people. Without the asterisk it typically just means transgender people (FtM or MtF) or transsexuals.
I dont think it really matters, usually comes off as a redundant statement. Its fair to assume "trans" issues refers to everyone who deals with the same thing.
And I was thinking this was some kind of subatomic particle! But joking aside, thanks for posing the question, and for the replies that helped clarify it. I admit, I still am a bit confused, but not as much.
It's meant to include people who are not only transgender, but gender nonconforming as well. It includes cross dressers, drag queens and kings basically.
I always thought it was a way of saying trans 'insert suffix you identify as here'. Probably isn't though...
