Passing

Passing means that a person is perceived or recognized by others as the gender they live as or wish to be recognized as. The term is especially important in relation to transgender people, but it can also be used in other contexts. It refers to social perception, not to a judgment about a person's actual gender.

Whether someone “passes” depends on many factors and is not determined by appearance or behavior alone. For some people, the term can be reassuring; for others, it may create pressure. It should therefore be used sensitively; respect, self-identification, and the avoidance of demeaning comments are essential.