It’s time for our series of posts here at Jessica Who?, titled “Word of the Week”. In these short articles, from here on out published each Friday, I will explore the various labels and umbrella terms used to label us. By doing this, I hope to educate not only myself, but also anyone who may not be familiar with these terms. Feel free to add your own knowledge to each post by leaving a comment 
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The label that we will be examining is: Girlfriend
Standard Definition
A female friend or a regular female companion in a romantic relationship.
Derogatory?
Actually, it’s the exact opposite of derogatory. It’s a term of endearment as a matter of fact.
What’s It Really Mean?
You may be thinking, “what in the world does this have to do with the transgendered community?”, but once you stop to think about it, you’ll realize why I’ve chosen to highlight this as the word of the week.
We’re not talking about the standard definition but rather how many t-girls refer to each other when communicating. For example, “Hey, girlfriend, what’s going on?” or one of my catch phrases, “read on, girlfriends”.
My Take
I love this word because of the positivity associated with using it and for the fact that I myself use it all the time. Not only do I refer to my TG/CD friends as “girlfriends”, but I also use it when talking to my wife and friends.
It’s really a blast when I’m talking to my guy friends — one of them will say something and I’ll confirm by saying “ok girlfriend!” This almost always causes laughter and good fun, because most of my friends aren’t the type to be weirded out and super up-tight.
So, now you know why I chose “girlfriend” as this week’s word. Now, have some fun girl 
!!
Your Take
Have you anything to add? Please leave your take on this word in the comments section, I hope we can open up a dialogue and learn from each other while educating the masses.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree Jessica. There’s something very endearing about being called “girlfriend”, “girl”, “hun”, (or in europe: “lov”, “girly”) especially for us TGs. It’s very affirming to us even more so than GGs who probably take it for granted because they’ve used it all their lives. And in the same way it just feels good to refer to others that way too….maybe it makes us feel like we are one of the girls ourselves. I tend to also use “sweetie” and “cutie” as well. =)
Thanks for the cosign, Jerica
. They are all positive words and do so much good for our spirits.
I’m only just beginning to reach out in a feminine or TG role, and little things like when others call me “girl” or “girlfriend” mean a great deal. It feels good.
Mira
Like they say, we must enjoy the little things because that’s what keeps us going
I really do enjoy it when someone calls me girlfriend. Although I do not have many girlfriends though, but I guess that is probably because I am a little bit anti-social. I hope to curb it by the time I get to University of Colorado at Boulder.
I have some social problems myself. I know how it is and I am working on it as well, best of luck in your endeavors
Nice post. I agree that ‘girlfriend’ is a nice tag for almost anyone. There is an intimacy and friendliness that goes with it. For years I, and many of by buddies (golf, fishing, at work, just hanging around…), have used the phrase “just among us girls”. The phrase always felt right. It lent a sense of confidentiality, congeniality and cordiality among the group. I suspect that most men recognize that there is something special about being a ‘girlfriend’.
I have been following your blog. Great work…keep it up ‘girlfriend’.
Thanks, Pat and also thank you for your commenting, I really appreciate it
Being called someone’s girlfriend is very flattering to me at this point in my life. I love to acknowledge TG/CD friends as girl friends because it helps identify my own inner self. I love being a girl inside the body I have. I own my feelings and sometimes, having the ability to be with me alone is the greatest feeling I have. Jessica, thank you for letting me in to your inside world. My inside world speaks to you, girlfriend…
Louise