Travesti

In some cultures, especially in South America, a travesti is a person who was assigned male at birth who has a feminine gender identity and is primarily sexually attracted to non-feminine men ("androphilia"). Therefore, sometimes the distinction between gender identity and sexual orientation is not made. Travestis have been described as a third gender, but not all see themselves this way.

Travesti was initially a pejorative term, but has been reclaimed as a political noun by Argentinian and Peruvian travesti activists.

In French-speaking countries, travesti means transvestite, anyone who is dressing up as the opposite sex. In the Greek language, the same word (τραβεστί) is also used to describe people of the third gender, who might engage in prostitution. 'Travesti' derives from 'trans-vestir', or 'cross-dress'.

Travestis' feminine identity includes feminine dress, language, and social and sexual roles. However, in contrast to transsexual women, they do not suffer from gender dysphoria nor see themselves as women. Many describe themselves as gay or homosexual men. Travestis modify their bodies with industrial silicone injections, breast implants, or birth control pills, but do not desire sex reassignment surgery. Liquid silicone became popular among Brazillian travestis in the 80s.

Travestis emerged as a distinct social group in the 70s.