"Transgender" (or trans) is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. While the term is modern, diverse gender identities have existed across many cultures for centuries, such as the Navajo nádleehi and Zuni lhamana in North America.
Includes Asexual and Two-Spirit individuals (a term specific to Indigenous North American cultures). 3. Best Practices for Communication and Allyship
Always use the terms a person uses for themselves. For general communications, the Michigan State University GSCC suggests using broad terms like "LGBTQIA+" rather than outdated or pathologizing terms like "homosexual".