transgendered

The term "transgendered" is a morphological variation of the word "transgender," formed by adding the past-participle suffix "-ed." It is used to describe a person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Historically, this variation appeared frequently in media, medical texts, and casual conversation during the late 20th and early 21st centuries as terminology regarding gender identity began to enter the mainstream public lexicon.

Today, the term is widely contested and generally discouraged by linguists and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. Critics, including the AP Stylebook and GLAAD, argue that the "-ed" suffix is grammatically incorrect because it turns the adjective into a verb form, implying that being transgender is something that happens to a person (similar to "injured" or "frightened") rather than a state of being. It is often compared to describing a gay person as "gayed." However, some speakers still use the term without malicious intent, likely applying the English grammatical rule of forming adjectives from nouns (such as "talented" or "moneyed"), unaware of the shift in preferred nomenclature.

Example:
"The documentary focused on the lives of several older transgendered individuals living in the Midwest."

Example:
"He mistakenly referred to the activist as transgendered rather than transgender during the broadcast."