No, “transgenderism” isn’t the correct word to use when referring to transgender people.
In general, the people using the word transgenderism are either wholly ignorant and it’s the only word they know because it’s the word they’ve been exposed to or they’re people who are trying to deliberately mischaracterize transgender issues by using this word.
In referring to transgender issues as “transgenderism” it can be framed as an ideology, philosophy, political strategy… It places transgender issues in the realm of Environmentalism, Feminism, Libertarianism and any other -ism you’d care to think about. If a thing is a philosophy, ideology or political strategy then it can be diminished from the status of objective fact to controversial opinion.Once you move something from fact to opinion then it’s easier to build “everyone has an opinion” arguments and to place specious arguments on more equal footing.
In many instances, where you see “transgenderism” used you can substitute “transgender identity” or “transgender issues” or just “transgender people”, all of which would be more accurate.
Take for example a recent Quora question: Would transgenderism still exist if there were no male or female cultural differences in our society? Replacing transgenderism with transgender identity or transgender people would both be significantly more accurate and respectful. (Note: The question text being referred to is “Would transgenderism still exist if there were no male or female cultural differences in our society” just in case the question is edited at some later point.)
In general, the vast majority of transgender people discussing trans issues don’t use the word transgenderism. We use clinical terms like gender dysphoria or gender incongruence. We talk about transgender identity, transgender men and women, transgender people, etc.
There are cultural difference in the use of the word transgender. In general, in western cultures, the word transgender is considered to be an adjective in the same sense that tall or short are adjectives. It isn’t considered grammatically appropriate to refer to someone as “a transgender” using the word transgender as a noun. In many western cultures, doing so is considered rude or insulting. In India however, and in other non-western cultures, using transgender as a noun is considered grammatically appropriate and is part of common language. In neither context, however, is transgenderism used or considered appropriate.
I give a pass on ignorant usage of the term transgenderism. I read Breitbart, The Federalist, publications from Focus On The Family and the Family Research Council as part of my ongoing opposition research. I know that people who are exposed primarily to middle to far Right media publications are significantly more likely to encounter the term than anyone who is exposed primarily to publications that are generally centrist or left leaning and they may just not know that the term isn’t appropriate. In an age where many people receive their information from algorithmic feeds that cater to their perceived pre-existing bias, I try not to assume malice on the part of people who simply haven’t been exposed to accurate information.
But transgenderism isn’t a thing. This isn’t like environmentalism or feminism any more than the practice of modern medicine is ‘medicineism’ (just wait for the anti-vax crowd to start using that one) or the study of planetary formation is ‘scienceism.’ At best, use of the word is ignorant. At worst, it’s a deliberate mischaracterization of transgender identity and issues for the purpose of delegitimizing the existence of transgender people, the specific harms transgender people suffer and the need to address a wide range of issues that result in the (frequently violent) deaths of transgender people. You can imagine why I find the latter to be rather sickening.
Is Transgenderism a Mental Disorder?
The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD) contains several codes and definitions related to transgender individuals. While some would say that these classifications refer to a “disease” diagnosis, the truth is, most refer to medical history for insurance billing purposes; for example, a history of sexual reassignment surgery or transgender identity. Just as with homosexuality, once referred to as a “disease” in outdated medical texts, transgenderism is not a “mental disorder” according to the American Psychological Association (APA).
Terms Associated With Transgender
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), transgendered people have always existed. They have been documented in many world cultures from ancient times to the present day; however, the meaning of gender differences does vary from culture to culture.
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In our current culture, transgender people may refer to people who were assigned as either male or female gender at birth, but who wish to live as a different gender from the assignment. People who cross-dress, are gender-queer, or who identify as drag queens may also fall under the definition of transgender. None of these people, by their self-identification, has a “mental disease” as understood by current mental health professionals.
Individuals may also self-identify as androgynous, multi-gendered, gender nonconforming, third-spirit, and also two-spirit people. These differing terms enable a fluid definition of alternate and blending genders. Many people who identify in these ways believe that traditional, binary (male or female) definitions of gender are restrictive.
Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
Some people may believe that sexual orientation and gender identity are one and the same. However, according to the American Psychological Association, this is untrue. Sexual orientation refers to a person’s physical or romantic attraction to another person. Gender identity refers to a person’s internal sense of being a certain gender, whether male, female, or another gender identity. Just as with non-transgender people, transgenders can be straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or have no sexual feelings (asexual). Some studies have shown that transgender people remain attached to their loved ones after gender transition, and also that transgender people identify their sexual preference based upon their transition gender.
Can a Transgendered Person Have Mental Disorders?
A trans- or non-binary gender-identified individual can be diagnosed with a mental disorder, just as a binary-identified gender can, according to the American Psychological Association. However, when a person is transgender, the APA says that many mental disorders have been found to be related to the behavior and treatment of others or society. Significant problems can occur for transgendered individuals in their relation to society, family functioning, and economic issues. For example, a transgendered individual could feel significant anxiety and distress due to the lack of resources for counseling, hormone therapy, and medical procedures. Discrimination is also a significant concern leading to depression, anxiety, and other related disorders.
In 2016, TIME Magazine reported on a number of studies that determined that transgenderism was not a mental disorder. UCLA’s Williams Institute reports that approximately 1.4 million Americans identify as trans- or other alternative genders, and encouraged physicians to recognize a gender-affirmative approach that accepts the gender chosen by patients in diagnosis and treatment.