Gender Identities

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.

B

Bigender

Bigender is a gender identity where an individual experiences two distinct gender identities, either simultaneously or varying between the two. These gender identities can be any combination of male, female, or non-binary genders. Bigender individuals may feel a strong connection to both genders equally, or their sense of gender may fluctuate between the two identities over time.

C

Cisgender

Cisgender, often abbreviated as "cis," refers to individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, a person born with male genitalia who identifies as a man is considered cisgender. This term is used to describe gender identity and is not related to sexual orientation.

D

Deadnaming

Deadnaming refers to the act of referring to a transgender or non-binary person by their birth name or former name, rather than their chosen name that aligns with their gender identity. This practice is considered disrespectful and potentially harmful, as it invalidates the person's identity and can cause emotional distress.

G

Gender Affirmation Surgery

Gender affirmation surgery, also known as gender confirmation surgery or sex reassignment surgery, refers to a variety of surgical procedures that alter a person's physical characteristics to better align with their gender identity. These procedures are typically sought by transgender or non-binary individuals as part of their transition process to alleviate gender dysphoria and achieve a body that matches their internal sense of gender.

Gender-Affirming Care

Gender-affirming care refers to a range of social, psychological, behavioral, and medical interventions designed to support and affirm an individual's gender identity when it differs from their sex assigned at birth. This type of care is primarily focused on transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, aiming to alleviate gender dysphoria and improve overall well-being.

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 Dysphoria

Gender dysphoria is the psychological distress that results from an incongruence between one's sex assigned at birth and one's gender identity. People who experience gender dysphoria often feel that their body does not match their true gender. This can lead to significant discomfort, anxiety, and a desire to change one's physical characteristics to better align with their gender identity.

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 Identity Disorder

Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is an outdated medical term that was previously used to describe individuals whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth. It has since been replaced by the term "gender dysphoria" in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to reduce stigma and better reflect the experiences of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.

Gender Identity

Gender identity refers to an individual's internal, deeply-felt sense of being male, female, a blend of both, or neither. It's a personal conception of oneself as gendered and may or may not correspond to the sex assigned at birth. Gender identity is distinct from sexual orientation and can be fluid or fixed throughout a person's life.

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.

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.

I

Intersex

Intersex is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of conditions in which a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn't fit the typical definitions of female or male. This can include variations in genitals, chromosomes, gonads, or sex hormones.

M

Misgendering

Misgendering refers to the act of referring to someone using a gender that does not align with their gender identity. This can include using incorrect pronouns, gendered language, or titles that don't match how the person identifies. Misgendering can be unintentional, but it can also be a form of discrimination or harassment when done deliberately.

N

Non-Binary

Non-binary is a term used to describe gender identities that fall outside the traditional binary of male and female. Individuals who identify as non-binary may experience their gender as a mix of male and female, as neither male nor female, or as a gender entirely separate from these categories. Non-binary is often considered an umbrella term that can include various gender identities such as genderqueer, genderfluid, and agender.

O

Omnisexual

Omnisexual refers to individuals who are attracted to people of all genders and sexual orientations. The term comes from the Latin prefix "omni-" meaning "all" or "every." Omnisexual people experience sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction to people regardless of their gender identity or expression. Unlike pansexuality, which often implies gender-blindness, omnisexuality recognizes and can be influenced by gender, but it doesn't limit attraction.

P

Polysexual

Polysexual refers to individuals who are attracted to multiple, but not necessarily all, genders. This sexual orientation falls under the multisexual umbrella, which includes orientations attracted to more than one gender. Polysexual people may experience attraction to various gender identities, but unlike pansexuals, they may not be attracted to all genders.

Pronouns

Pronouns are words used to refer to a person in place of their name. In the context of gender and sexuality, pronouns are an important aspect of personal identity and can reflect a person's gender identity. Common pronouns include he/him, she/her, and they/them, but there are many others that individuals may use to express their gender identity.

Puberty Blockers

Puberty blockers, also known as puberty inhibitors, are medications used to pause the physical changes associated with puberty. These drugs work by suppressing the release of sex hormones, effectively delaying the development of secondary sex characteristics. Puberty blockers are primarily used for transgender and gender non-conforming youth who experience gender dysphoria, allowing them more time to explore their gender identity without the stress of unwanted physical changes.

Q

Queer

Queer is an umbrella term used to describe sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions that fall outside of traditional heterosexual and cisgender norms. Originally used as a slur, it has been reclaimed by many in the LGBTQ+ community as a positive and inclusive term. Queer can refer to a wide spectrum of identities and experiences related to sexuality and gender.

S

Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation refers to an individual's enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, both genders, multiple genders, or no genders. It's an inherent aspect of a person's identity and is generally considered to be on a spectrum rather than strictly defined categories.

Social Transitioning

Social transitioning refers to the process by which a person begins to live and present themselves in accordance with their gender identity, rather than the gender they were assigned at birth. This process typically involves changes in appearance, name, pronouns, and social behaviors, without necessarily including medical interventions like hormone therapy or surgery.

T

Transgender

Transgender, often abbreviated as trans, is an umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. A transgender person may identify as a man, a woman, non-binary, genderfluid, or other gender identities. Being transgender relates to a person's internal sense of their own gender and is separate from sexual orientation.

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.

Transphobia

Transphobia refers to fear, hatred, discomfort, or prejudice directed towards transgender individuals or those whose gender identity or expression differs from their assigned sex at birth. It can manifest in various forms, ranging from subtle microaggressions to overt discrimination, violence, or systemic oppression. Transphobia often stems from a lack of understanding, cultural biases, or rigid beliefs about gender roles and identities.

Two-Spirit

Two-Spirit is a modern umbrella term used by some Indigenous North American cultures to describe a traditional third gender role. It refers to individuals who embody both masculine and feminine spirits within one body. Two-Spirit people often have distinct gender and social roles in their communities, which can include spiritual or ceremonial responsibilities.