Genderqueer is an umbrella term used to describe identities outside the gender binary.
The term was first used in queer zines in the 1980s and predates the emergence of the term non-binary.
Discussions of gender have come a long way over the past few decades.
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According to one GLAAD survey, one percent of people between 18 and 34 identify as genderqueeer.
Understanding the Gender Binary
Historically, most people have identified their gender as man or woman.
These identities are most often correlated with a person’s assigned sex at birth.
All of those people aretransgender, and some of them do not identify as woman or man.
The gender binary refers to the notion that gender is an either/or proposition.
In a world with binary gender, people are either women or mena binary choice.
People with a gender identity that aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth are known as cisgender.
Genderqueer vs. Non-binary
Genderqueer and nonbinary share several things in common.
Both areLGBTQ+identities that involve having an identity that is outside of the gender binary.
Genderqueer and nonbinary are somewhat overlapping categories.
Some people use the terms to mean the same thing.
Genderqueer
For some people, being genderqueer means moving between different gender identities or gender expressions.
For others, the term refers to having a non-cisgender identity.
For some, a genderqueer identity is more equivalent to the sexual orientation of queer.
Similarly, genderqueer encompasses all genders that are not cisgender.
Some individuals specifically identify as either genderqueer or nonbinary, even though both terms are also umbrella terms.
Some people identify very strongly with their gender or genders.
Other people don’t find gender to be as salient.
Gender Identity vs. Nonbinary people have a wide range of gender expression.
While nonbinary identity is often associated with androgyny, nonbinary people have a wide range of expressions.
Some people are woman- and/or man-aligned and may express themselves in a masculine and/or feminine way.
There is no one way to be nonbinary.
People of any gender can have any sexual orientation.
Pronouns Genderqueer People Use
Not all genderqueer and nonbinary people use the same pronouns.
“They” is used in place of “he” or “she.”
“Them” is used in place of “him” or “her.”
Finally, “theirs” is used in place of “his” or “hers.”
Some nonbinary people use more than one set of pronouns with this format: “he/they.”
Someone with those pronouns is comfortable being referred to with he/him/his andthey/them/theirs.
Gendered Pronouns
Some genderqueer people use only “she/her/hers” and “he/him/his.”
These pronouns might stay the same but may also change depending on a person’s current identity or expression.
Neopronouns
Some nonbinary people use neopronouns.
In fact, it’s far more polite to ask than it is to guess.
Avoid making assumptions about people’s gender identity or sexual orientation based on how they look or act.
You should also respect people’s privacy.
Don’t ask invasive questions about people’s orientation, expression, identity, or bodies.
The only time you should ask such questions is if someone has given you permission to do so.
it’s possible for you to also set a clear example by introducing yourself by using your pronouns.
For example, you might say “Hello!
I’m Elizabeth, and I use she/her/hers pronouns.”
Instead, you might say, “Can we all give our pronouns?
I use they/them/theirs.”
It is best to apologize quickly (“Sorry!")
and continue the conversation in such situations.
A Word From Verywell
The words used to refer to gender are constantly changing.
The important thing is to respect people’s declared gender identities.
That means reflecting the words they use to describe themselves, rather than choosing your own.
It also means respecting and using their pronouns.
Others are merely observers, not nearly as qualified to describe that person’s experience.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
GLAAD.Accelerating Acceptance 2017: A Harris Poll survey of Americans' acceptance of LGBTQ people.
2012;2(1):13.
The Trevor Project.Accepting adults reduce suicide attempts among LGBTQ youth.
2017;61(2):259-261. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.02.013
