An umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform tothat typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth. Trans is sometimes used as short hand for transgender. Not everyone whose appearance or behavior is gender- nonconforming will identify as a transgender person.
American Psychological Association. (2011). Answers to your questions about transgender people, gender identity, and gender expression.Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/transgender.aspx.