Gender identity

**Gender identity** is a person's internal, deeply held sense of their own gender (or lack thereof). Unlike gender expression, gender identity is not visible to others. An individual's gender identity may or may not align with their birth assignment. Most people have a binary gender identity—male/man/boy or female/woman/girl—whether they are cisgender or transgender. For other people, their gender identity does not fit neatly into one of those two options, such as people who are non-binary or genderqueer.

A person's gender identity usually develops when they are very young. Gender variance in exploring gender expressions and gender roles is an expected part of human development for children and teenagers. Most children and adolescents with variance in these behaviors have a gender identity that corresponds to their birth assignment, and this exploration does not necessarily indicate a gender-variant *identity*. A small percentage of children wish they were another gender instead of the gender assigned at birth. An individual's realization that their gender identity differs from their birth assignment can occur as early as three years old, in childhood prior to the onset of puberty, or later in life. This progression is similar to the awareness of same-sex attraction in childhood developing into using a specific sexual orientation term as a teenager.

## Examples

The gender identities below are ordered alphabetically rather than by type.

### Agender

Main article: Agender

**Agender**, also known as **genderless**, can be one of the **A** terms in the acronym LGBTQIA+. It is a **gender identity** that has been defined multiple ways, including:

While agender is typically considered under the transgender and/or non-binary umbrellas, different individuals may or may not identify with those terms; those who do use them do not need to transition physically, legally, or socially to be agender. Some agender people are genderfluid, meaning their gender identity is not static and changes from being agender. Agender individuals can have any type of gender expression and use any set of pronouns or no pronouns at all just like any other individual can. Agender identities are not exclusive to certain assigned genders at birth or sexual orientations and romantic orientations and the orientation terms used by individuals who are agender may potentially challenge the idea of "same" and "opposite" gender attraction.

### Bigender

Main article: Bigender

**Bigender** is a **gender identity** in which a person has or experiences two genders. The genders may be any combination of two genders, and those genders can be binary ("man" or "woman") or non-binary. They may be experienced simultaneously or may alternate, and they may not be experienced equally or in the same way. For example, a bigender person may be both a woman and a man, agender and neutrois, or non-binary and a woman. Bigender is an identity under the transgender umbrella.

### Demigender

Main article: Demigender

**Demigender** is an umbrella term for non-binary gender **identities** that feel a partial, but not full, connection to a particular gender. Anyone can be demigender regardless of what gender they were assigned at birth, and demigender individuals may identify as another gender in combination with their demigender identity.

### Genderfluid

Main article: Genderfluid

**Genderfluid**, or simply **fluid**, refers to someone whose **gender identity** changes over time. A genderfluid individual can identify as any gender, or combination of genders, at any given time. Their gender can change at random, or it may vary in response to different circumstances. At times, these individuals may identify as male, female, both, or neither. Their pronouns may vary at different times. The term genderfluid can be used as a specific identity in itself or as a descriptive term. They are generally considered under the non-binary and transgender umbrellas, but not all genderfluid individuals identify with those terms. Some genderfluid people transition socially, physically, and/or legally.

### Genderqueer

Main article: Genderqueer

**Genderqueer** is a **gender identity** that is neither male nor female, is a combination of the two binary genders, is on a continuum between those two genders, or queers gender in some way. Both genderqueer and non-binary can be seen as umbrella terms or as more specific identifiers. Some, but not all, genderqueer people identify as transgender.

### Neurogender

Main article: Neurogender

**Neurogender** identity was originally proposed as "a gender feeling that is strongly linked to one's status as neurodivergent". It was further elaborated upon as the following: "Neurogender is a gender feeling that is linked to someone's neurodivergence. It can be both an **identity** and an umbrella term for genders that are limited to neurodivergent people. Obviously, you have to be neurodivergent to identify as this gender. And no, it is not 'turning neurological disorders into a gender'. Neurogender just means that a person's perception of their gender is influenced by them being neurodivergent." As the meaning of the term "neurodivergent" has been debated, it is unclear which definition was intended.

By 2016, "neurogender" had been redefined by others as "an umbrella term to describe when someone's gender is somehow linked to their neurotype, mental illness, or neurological conditions. There are many different neurogenders related to most, if not all, neurodivergencies." This specific redefinition has been cited in at least one print source. In another redefinition from 2018, neurogenders were described as "genders specific to neurodivergent people whose experience of gender relates to their neurotype or who feel they can't fully understand gender due to their neurotype."

### Neutrois

Main article: Neutrois

**Neutrois** is a non-binary **gender identity** described as being a neutral or null gender. It is considered part of the genderqueer, non-binary, and transgender umbrellas.

### Non-binary

Main article: Non-binary

**Non-binary**, sometimes written as **nonbinary**, is a term referring to individuals whose **gender identity** does not exclusively fall into the binary gender classification of only "man" or "woman." Those who are non-binary may identify with either masculinity or femininity in some capacity, both, or neither at all. Although it is a gender identity on its own, it can also be used as an umbrella term to refer to many gender identities. While non-binary is included in the transgender umbrella, not all non-binary people identify as transgender.

Since identifying as non-binary can mean different things to different people, it is best to ask someone who uses the term what it means to them.

### Pangender

Main article: Pangender

**Pangender** is a **gender identity** defined as experiencing many or all genders. As an identity that is multigender—experiencing or having multiple genders—the number of genders experienced may be unknown or may fluctuate, and they may be experienced one at a time or simultaneously. Pangender encompasses so many genders that is difficult or impossible to list all of them, and can be described as experiencing an immense number of genders.

Pangender can also be defined as a multigender which is expansive, nonspecific, vast, and infinite, while still extending only to one's own culture and life experience. There is no limit to the amount of genders a pangender person can have. This identity can go beyond the current knowledge of genders, identifying infinitely with gender, including the hypothetical.

It should be noted that the pangender label *only* includes identities which can be experienced within one's own culture and life experience. Therefore, this identity is not inherently culturally appropriative, nor is it appropriative of other exclusive identities, such as neurogender. Pangender falls under the non-binary, multigender, and transgender umbrella terms.

### Queer

Main article: Queer
**Queer** is an identifier for individuals and/or the community of people who are not cisgender and/or heterosexual. It can be used instead of, or in addition to, other identifiers of sexual orientation, such as lesbian, bisexual, or gay. Queer can also refer to **gender identity** or gender expression, whether as a standalone term or part of another like genderqueer. The "Q" in LGBTQIA+ and similar acronyms commonly means **Q**ueer. As a reclaimed word, it has been used in fights for LGBTQIA+ rights and liberation as an inclusive and sometimes defiant term. PFLAG and GLAAD are two of the organizations that recommend only using it for people who self-identify as queer because it has varying meanings and is not universally accepted. In addition, the term may be used in preference to other identifiers by members, for a variety of reasons.

### Xenogender

Main article: Xenogender

Gender identity is an emerging term.Gender identity is a term that has recently emerged. Although the term may be growing in usage, and is significant and well-sourced enough to warrant inclusion on this wiki, it may still be relatively unknown outside of the platform or community where it originated. The exact definition and name may not have stabilized, and may change significantly as more people identify with it.

## Related terms

### Different from

Xenic

**Xenogender** is defined as "a gender that cannot be contained by human understandings of gender; more concerned with crafting other methods of gender categorization and hierarchy such as those relating to animals, plants, or other creatures/things". Xenogender individuals may use ideas and identities outside of the gender binary to describe themselves and avoid binary gendered identifiers, such as using only their first name or the name of an animal. They may feel they cannot place a label on themselves, or feel as though they lack the terms to fully express their gender or identity, something that derives from a lexical gap. The term "xenogender" itself was designed to help fill the lexical gap by using terms not typically associated with gender or describing gender with metaphors. Since it is a **gender identity** that is outside the binary concepts of masculinity and femininity, xenogender is a non-binary identity.

## See also

* Romantic orientation
* Sexual orientation

## Notes

1. ↑ **Neurodivergent** is a term associated with the **neurodiversity** movement. Neurodiverse, coined by Judy Singer, is not equivalent to "neurological disorder" or "autistic"; an individual person is not neurodiverse. Neurodiversity is comparable to biodiversity and refers to the neuro-cognitive variability found in all humans, such as mood, learning, attention, social behavior, and other mental traits. The neurodiversity movement is primarily associated with people who are on the autism spectrum, as well as "cousin" conditions such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disabilities, learning disorders such as dyslexia, and motor disorders such as dyspraxia and Tourette's Syndrome. The term neurodivergent, coined by Kassiane Asasumasu, refers to neurologically divergent from typical or a brain that diverges. Asasumasu has said it is not limited to neurodevelopmental disorders and includes people with mental illnesses or no specific diagnosis. Others have redefined neurodivergent as specific to neurodevelopmental or neurological conditions, and not mood, dissociative, or personality disorders. Further explanations of neurodiversity versus neurodivergence are available on the Neuroqueer blog.
2. ↑ A lexical gap is a word that does not exist in a particular language, although it could exist according to that language's rules.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 GLAAD: "Glossary of Terms - Transgender". *GLAAD Media Reference Guide - 10th Edition*. (Archived on October 22, 2021).
2. ↑ The Trans Language Primer: "Gender Identity". *The Trans Language Primer*. (Archived on November 5, 2021).
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 U.S. Institute of Medicine. "Childhood/Adolescence". *The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding*. National Academies Press, 2011. (web archive)
4. ↑ McNabb, Charlie. *Nonbinary Gender Identities: History, Culture, Resources*. Rowman & Littlefield, 2018.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Davis, Chloe O.. *The Queens' English: The LGBTQIA+ Dictionary of Lingo and Colloquial Phrases*. Clarkson Potter/Publishers, 2021. ISBN 9780593135013.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 Holleb, Morgan Lev Edward. *The A-Z of Gender and Sexuality: From Ace to Ze*. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2019. ISBN 9781784506636.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Hardell, Ash. *The ABC's of LGBT+*. Mango Media Inc., 2016. ISBN 9781633534087.
8. ↑ The Trans Language Primer: "Non-Binary". *The Trans Language Primer*. (Archived on October 26, 2021).
9. ↑ The Gender & Sexuality Resource Center: "Pride Flags". *University of Northern Colorado*.
10. ↑ Ferguson, Sian: "What Does It Mean to Be Agender?". *Healthline*.
11. ↑ "LGBTQIA+ Terminology" [PDF]. umass.edu. (Archived on October 6, 2021).
12. ↑ "Gender Fluid: What Does It Mean?". webmd.com.
13. ↑ The Trans Language Primer: "Genderfluid / Genderflux". *The Trans Language Primer*. (Archived on October 24, 2021).
14. ↑ Boskey, Elizabeth (PhD.): "What Does It Mean to Be Genderqueer or Have a Nonbinary Gender?" (2017-06-21). *Verywell Mind*.
15. ↑ Lane, S. Nicole: "What Is Genderqueer?" (2020-12-07). *Verywell Mind*.
16. ↑ "neurogender". *MOGAI-archive*. (content no longer online) (backup link not available) (archived reblog)
17. ↑ aflutteringlaney: "Neurogender is... (untitled post)". *(offline)*. (content no longer online) (backup link not available)  (archived reblog)
18. ↑ "Neurogender (Revision as of 00:00, 25 August 2016)" (2016-08-25). *Gender Wiki*. (Archived on February 8, 2022).
19. ↑ Cited in: Harner, Vern and Johnson, Ian M.. "At the intersection of trans and disabled". *Social Work and Health Care Practice with Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals and Communities*. Shanna K. Kattari, M. Killian Kinney, Leonardo Kattari, and N. Eugene Walls (eds.), Taylor & Francis, 2021. ISBN 9780429443176.
20. ↑ corbin, endever\*: "I'm trans and autistic, and yes (for me), they're related" (2018-11-14). *homo qui vixit*. (Archived on February 8, 2022). Reprinted in: *Spectrums: Autistic Transgender People in Their Own Words*. Maxfield Sparrow (ed.), Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2020. ISBN 9781787750142.
21. ↑ Dr. Bohan, Janis: "Terminology". fortlewis.edu.
22. ↑ "Neutrois". neutrois.com. Neutrois.com.
23. ↑ Wynne, Griffon: "Neutrois" (2021-08-25). cosmopolitan.com. Cosmopolitan.
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Abrams, Mere: "What Does It Mean to Identify as Nonbinary?". *Healthline*.
25. ↑ The Trevor Project: "Understanding Gender Identities" (2021-08-23). thetrevorproject.org. (Archived on November 21, 2021).
26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 pangendering: "Pangender and Panflux?" (26-09-2014) [English]. pangendering.tumblr.com.
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 "What Does Pangender Mean? + Other Pangender Information To Help You Be A Better Ally!". queerintheworld.com. Queer in the World. (Archived on November 30, 2021).
28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 GLAAD: "Glossary of Terms - Lesbian / Gay / Bisexual / Queer". *GLAAD Media Reference Guide - 10th Edition*. (Archived on September 26, 2021).
29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 PFLAG: "National Glossary of Terms". pflag.org. (Archived on January 25, 2022).
30. ↑ Cassian: "Gender Census 2021: Worldwide Report" (2021-04-01). *Gender Census*. (Archived on November 21, 2021).
31. ↑ The Trans Language Primer: "Queer". *The Trans Language Primer*. (Archived on November 5, 2021).
32. ↑ Scherrer, Kristin: "Coming to an Asexual Identity: Negotiating Identity, Negotiating Desire" (October 1, 2008). ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
33. ↑ Baaphomett: "Untitled post" (2014-06-24). baaphomett.tumblr.com. (Archived on July 1, 2014). (content no longer online)
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Beattie, Michael; Lenihan, Penny; and Dundas, Robin. *Counselling Skills for Working with Gender Diversity and Identity*. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2018. ISBN 9781784504816.
35. ↑ Archer, Katherine: "LGBTQ+ Youth and the Search for Labels: Identity Exploration Online" [PDF]. proquest.com. Arizona State University. Meân, Lindsey; Cayetano, Catalina; and Taylor, Jameien (graduate supervisor committee). (graduate thesis; approved November 2021)
36. ↑ "LEXICAL GAP (noun)". *Macmillan Dictionary*.
37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Demixenogender" (2021-02-24). *Pride-Flags*. (Archived on January 25, 2022).