Based on the provided information, the question is incomplete. The reference discusses "Transmasculine" or "Transmasc" identity, but not "TMASC". I will assume the user meant to ask "What is Transmasc?" or "What is Transmasculine?". I will answer based on this assumption.
Transmasculine, or transmasc, is a term used to describe identities, specifically for AFAB (assigned female at birth) nonbinary people who identify with masculinity in some way, but do not necessarily identify as men.
Understanding Transmasculine Identity
Here's a breakdown:
- AFAB: Stands for "Assigned Female at Birth." This refers to individuals who were designated as female at the time of their birth.
- Nonbinary: This means that the person's gender identity falls outside of the traditional male/female binary.
- Masculine (but not male): Transmasculine individuals identify with masculinity to varying degrees. This could be through their gender expression (clothing, hairstyle, etc.), their gender identity, or both. Crucially, they don't necessarily identify as men. They may feel their gender is related to masculinity but not fully aligned with the male gender.
Key Characteristics of Transmasculine Individuals:
- Gender Identity: Their gender identity is aligned with masculinity, but not necessarily the same as identifying as male.
- Gender Expression: They may express their gender through masculine clothing, hairstyles, or mannerisms.
- A Variety of Identities: Transmasculine is an umbrella term. Some examples of transmasculine identities include:
- Demiboy: Partially identifying as male.
- Genderfluid: Experiencing shifts in gender identity, sometimes including masculine identities.
- Agender: Not identifying with any gender. A transmasculine agender person may still present in a masculine way.
- Transmasculine Nonbinary: Identifying as nonbinary, and also identifying with masculinity in some way.
Example Scenarios:
- A person assigned female at birth feels that they are both female and masculine. They identify as bigender, therefore the term transmasculine describes them.
- A person assigned female at birth enjoys expressing their gender by wearing men's clothing. Although they are gender-fluid, their need to express themselves as a male for some of the time means they are transmasculine.
