Classification of cisgender, transgender and non-binary

Usage

Data for this classification is derived by cross-classifying the categories of the 'Classification of sex at birth' (male and female) with the 'Classification of gender' (man, woman and non-binary person). They are exclusively used to compare diverse groups of the population for statistical purposes, not to ascribe a gender identity to respondents.

Definitions provided in this classification use the terms 'male' and 'female' for sex at birth and gender since they are used in both sex at birth and gender standardized questions. However, the terms 'man' and 'woman' are used in the category names to refer to cisgender (cis) and transgender (trans) men and women.

Depending on the statistical program, the survey population may include children. In such instances, the terms 'boy' and 'girl' are preferred to 'man' and 'woman' when referring to children.

Information on gender and sex at birth may be based on self-reported data or reported by proxy depending on the statistical program. Therefore, the expressions 'reported gender' and 'reported sex at birth' are used in these definitions when referring to self-reported data and answers reported by proxy.

The expression 'gender modality' may be used to describe the relationship between a person's gender and their sex at birth.

This classification supports the production and the publication of data on gender diversity, which includes transgender (trans) men and women, as well as non-binary persons.

In this classification, the terms 'transgender' and 'trans' are used interchangeably to refer to persons whose gender does not correspond to their sex at birth. However, the term 'trans', which is considered more inclusive, is becoming more commonly used. It is sometimes used as an umbrella term to refer to any person whose gender does not correspond to their sex at birth, including non-binary persons although not all non-binary individuals identify as such. In this classification, non-binary persons are excluded from the category 'transgender person' and are exclusively included in the category 'non-binary person'.

Likewise, individuals classified as cisgender (cis) or transgender (trans) within this classification do not necessarily use these terms to describe their gender identity. The terms 'cisgender' or 'cis' may be simply used to refer to persons who are not 'transgender' or 'trans'.