Gender Expressions
A
Agender
Agender refers to individuals who do not identify with any gender or who feel they have no gender identity. This term falls under the non-binary umbrella and is used by people who see themselves as genderless, gender-neutral, or without a gender altogether.
Androgynous
Androgynous refers to a gender expression or appearance that combines or blends traditionally masculine and feminine characteristics, resulting in a gender-neutral or ambiguous presentation. This term can apply to a person's physical appearance, fashion choices, or overall aesthetic, and is not necessarily tied to their gender identity or sexual orientation.
G
Gender-creative
Gender-creative is a term used to describe individuals, often children or young people, who express their gender in ways that are different from societal expectations based on their assigned sex at birth. This expression may involve preferences in clothing, hairstyles, toys, or activities that don't conform to traditional gender norms. Gender-creative people may or may not identify as transgender or non-binary as they grow older.
Gender-expansive
Gender-expansive is an umbrella term used to describe individuals whose gender identity, expression, or behavior extends beyond the traditional binary concepts of male and female. This term encompasses a wide range of gender identities and expressions that don't conform to societal expectations or norms associated with a person's assigned sex at birth.
Gender Expression
Gender expression refers to the external manifestation of one's gender identity, typically through behavior, clothing, hairstyle, voice, and body characteristics. It's the way a person presents their gender to the world, which may or may not conform to societal expectations associated with their assigned sex at birth or their gender identity.
Gender-fluid
Gender-fluid refers to a gender identity that is not fixed and may change over time. Individuals who identify as gender-fluid experience their gender as shifting or fluctuating, sometimes feeling more masculine, more feminine, or somewhere in between. This fluidity can occur over any time period, from day to day to month to month or even longer.
Gender Fluidity
Gender fluidity refers to a dynamic and flexible gender identity that can change over time or depending on the situation. People who are gender-fluid may experience their gender identity shifting between male, female, a mix of both, or neither. This fluidity can occur over different time spans - hours, days, weeks, or longer periods.
Gender-neutral pronouns
Gender-neutral pronouns are words used to refer to people without specifying their gender. These pronouns are often used by individuals who identify outside the gender binary or prefer not to be addressed with gendered language. Common gender-neutral pronouns include "they/them/theirs," "ze/zir/zirs," and "xe/xem/xyr," among others.
Gender Non-Conforming
Gender non-conforming refers to individuals whose gender expression or identity does not align with traditional societal expectations or norms associated with their assigned sex at birth. This term encompasses a wide range of gender identities and expressions that fall outside the binary male-female gender system.
Gender Role
Gender roles are the set of societal norms, behaviors, and expectations associated with being a man, woman, or non-binary individual in a given culture. These roles often dictate how people are expected to act, dress, speak, and interact based on their perceived gender. It's important to note that gender roles are social constructs and can vary significantly across different cultures and time periods.
Genderqueer
Genderqueer is a term used to describe individuals whose gender identity falls outside the traditional binary of male and female. People who identify as genderqueer may experience their gender as a mix of male and female, as neither male nor female, or as a gender that is entirely different from these categories. This identity challenges conventional notions of gender and allows for a more fluid and expansive understanding of gender expression and identity.
T
Toxic Masculinity
Toxic masculinity refers to a set of cultural norms and expectations associated with male behavior that are considered harmful to both men and society. It encompasses attitudes and behaviors that emphasize aggression, dominance, emotional suppression, and the devaluation of traditionally feminine traits. This concept doesn't suggest that masculinity itself is inherently toxic, but rather points out specific expressions of masculinity that can be detrimental.
Transitioning
Transitioning refers to the process through which a transgender person aligns their gender expression and/or physical characteristics with their gender identity. This journey is highly personal and can involve social, medical, and/or legal changes. Transitioning is not a single event but a series of steps that can take months or years, and the specific steps can vary greatly from person to person.
Transvestic Disorder
Transvestic disorder is a mental health condition characterized by persistent and intense sexual arousal from cross-dressing, accompanied by significant distress or impairment in daily functioning. It's important to note that cross-dressing itself is not a disorder; it only becomes a clinical concern when it causes distress or interferes with a person's life.