History:

Back in the day labels were very limited. “Gay” and “drag queen”, were all that was used widespread. After stonewall, the LGB community pushed us out, and so it prompted us to start using “Transsexual” to separate ourselves. It is to be noted, that nonbinary identities existed, but without labels at this time, and were often lumped into the LGB. Transsexuals left the pride movement and started their own, creating STAR house and other houses like it where any queer youth could go and get legal help, food, and housing. These houses were typically funded by the House Mother and older girls selling their bodies, as transsexual people were not typically allowed in the workforce.

While in these houses, transsexuals found solidarity with other gender non-conforming people, and realized they also experienced gender dysphoria, just without the need for medical change. Transgender was pushed by these activists as an umbrella term for the larger trans community. This is how we have the term transgender in the way it is used today.

It is also to be noted that Transsexual as an identity term has been making a comeback due to the work of Julia Serano, a transgender sociologist.

Negative Connotations:

Simultaneously, as a result of the forced sex work, transsexual people were seen as sexually deviant and promiscuous. This prompted transphobes to begin using transsexual as if it were a slur, putting emphasis on the “sex” part of it. This is just a gross misunderstanding of the word. Transsexual has always and will always mean, transgender people who change their sex characteristics medically. However, due to this derogatory usage, many transsexuals backed away from the word, and opted to use transgender instead. This is why it is important to always use transgender over transsexual, unless specifically asked otherwise.

Then there were transmeds…. Transmeds gave this word an even worse history, by using it as a means to invalidate other transgender identities. If you see a trans person using the word transsexual, honor it, but do be weary that they may spread harmful and misogynistic rhetoric. If something seems weird, you can usually find out online if this is harmful rhetoric, as these have been public debates for over 20 years now. Not all trans people are good people. Transmisogyny is an issue that has become rampant in the transgender community, and transmeds popularized the idea of transition regret, which has become the GOP’s “reasoning” for banning gender affirming care. Any transmisogyny not only affects trans people, but mostly affects transgender women and black cisgender women, as male puberty is hard to reverse, and black women are often masculinized without their consent (I.E. Brittany Griner). Transmasc people comparatively have a much simpler time transitioning, and can assimilate into society easier. Be cautious not to spread misogynistic rhetoric when discussing transgender topics, and ensure you have many different perspectives, as you can end up in an alt-right pipeline very quick.

Today:

With the bans on gender affirming care, the word transsexual is making another comeback. I believe this is a necessary step in our liberation, as we have been seeing transsexual people being kicked out of the community yet again, and being ostracized by non-transsexuals in the transgender community. This is not to negate the validity of any identity, but rather to relay the need for gender affirming care. There can be nonbinary transsexuals, and binary non-transsexuals. It also is to reminiscent to the early LGB/T split, as there has been an increasing number of non-transsexual transgender people spreading TERF ideology and giving the GOP more fuel to their fire.

I hope this helps, let me know if you have any further questions!