Gender Spectrums
Gender is a spectrum of infinite identities. From you reading this I hope that you gain a better understanding of this spectrum. If you learn something new it would be great for you to use it in the world. Let’s begin!
Gender vs Sex
First things first, you’ll need to know the difference between sex and gender to understand the gender spectrum. Sex is the genitals and/or chromosomes that you are born with. This doesn’t determine your gender, even if you’re cisgender. There are three sexes known: male, female, and intersex. Gender comes from the brain. This can range from the binary genders to neither, both, fluctuating between or only partially a gender. Despite what pronouns or word(s) an individual will use to describe themselves, gender is a very personal thing and may differ from person to person.
Gender expression
Gender expression is how someone expresses or presents themselves. Just because someone dresses how one gender would, doesn’t always mean that they are that particular gender. This goes from cisgender to transgender to everyone under the non-binary umbrella. People can dress and present themselves in a feminine, masculine and/or androgynous way (neither feminine nor masculine) no matter their gender.
Pronouns
If you remember any of your English lessons, pronouns are how you refer to a person or thing (she, you, this, it, etc). When it comes to gender, pronouns are important as they are a way of helping someone feel more comfortable. It’s important to respect people’s pronouns and ask if you’re unsure of what their pronouns are. There are the average pronouns like she, he, they, but also neopronouns like ze, xe, em, etc. If you don’t know how to pronounce somebody’s pronouns, it's better to just ask them.
Intersex
Intersex is a third sex that isn’t very recognised. It’s when someone is born with sex characteristics that don’t fit the definition of male or female.
Transgender
Transgender is an umbrella term that refers to anyone who doesn’t align with their assigned gender at birth. Typically, this term is used for transmales and transfemales though. Transgender people change their pronouns or add pronouns, and often, but not always, change their name.
Non-binary/Genderqueer
Both these terms can be used as umbrella terms or a way of somebody identifying themselves. They are used for someone who isn’t male or female. People normally use genderqueer instead of non-binary if they are very big on using names for their gender but that’s not always the case.
Agender
Agender is specifically a name for the gender when you aren’t female or male.
Demi genders
Demi genders include demiboy, demigirl and simply demigender. ‘Demi’ means half, so it means half a gender. Typically, they would use they/them pronouns along with another set of pronouns (she/her, he/him, etc). In this case, you would use both pronouns equally. For example: “He was so cool the way they dodged all those people in that game!”
Genderfluid
Genderfluid is when somebody’s gender changes or flows around like a fluid. One day they may be a boy, another a girl, then both, eventually neither, etc. However, gender fluid people don’t always feel every gender. Some only fluctuate though a few. There’s no set time or trigger that causes them to be a certain gender, so it’s good to ask for their pronouns or watch for any indicators they may use.
Genderflux
Genderflux is when the percentage of the gender they are fluctuates. This is similar to gender fluid but instead of switching it’s just how much of a certain gender you are.
Multi gender
Multi genders fall under bigender, trigender, and pangender. This is when someone feels as though they are multiple genders. The number changes depending on the name used. If we take bigender as an example, the person could be male and female, female and non-binary, male and non-binary, etc .female and non-binary, male and non-binary, etc.
End notes
Gender is an extremely complex thing, it’s okay if you find it hard to understand your own gender. There are lots of terms out there, and it can take years before you know or even question your gender. Youdon’t even need to use a term to describe yourself if you don’t want to. It’s also okay if you don’t understand other people’s genders. It’s not okay to use that as a way of making others feel unsafe. Be sure to educate yourself and ask questions if someone is comfortable answering. Not all the genders were listed as that would go way over my page limit, so after reading the magazine, doing further research may be helpful. Please enjoy your day!