In the past, society's understanding of gender was confined to a rigid binary with just two checkboxes: male and female. However, the contemporary perspective on gender has evolved significantly, and many now firmly believe that gender is a diverse spectrum with numerous ways to identify and express one's gender beyond the traditional male and female categories.
The expanding gender identity spectrum includes a multitude of terms used to describe diverse gender experiences. While these concepts may not be as widely recognized or accepted in Nigeria, it is essential to explore the reasons why people choose to identify with a gender that differs from the sex assigned to them at birth. Some individuals may feel that their gender identity doesn't align with their physical body, while others believe they are not bound by traditional gender roles.
These differences have given rise to a wide range of gender terminologies, as individuals seek to find language that accurately represents their identities. In this article, we will explore 21 common gender identity and expression terms, recognizing that there are many more terms in use today.
1. Agender: Refers to a person who does not identify with any gender, often feeling entirely genderless or neutral.
2. Androgynous: Describes a person with a mix of both masculine and feminine characteristics, expressing their gender in a non-traditional way.
3. Bigender: Refers to a person who identifies as two genders, either simultaneously or at different times.
4. Cisgender: Describes a person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
5. Demiboy/Demigirl: Refers to individuals who partially identify as male or female, respectively, while also feeling a connection to other gender identities.
6. Gender bender: Describes a person who presents themselves in a way that defies societal expectations of their gender, especially as the opposite sex.
7. Genderfluid: Refers to a person whose gender identity changes over time, having no fixed gender.
8. Gender non-conforming: Describes a person whose gender expression does not conform to traditional gender roles or their assigned gender at birth.
9. Genderqueer: Refers to a person who identifies with a gender identity that is not strictly male or female, often involving a mix or fluidity of genders.
10. Gender dysphoria: Describes a person who feels uncomfortable or distressed because their gender identity does not align with the sex assigned to them at birth.
11. Gender questioning: Refers to individuals who are exploring and contemplating their gender identity.
12. Intersex: Describes a person who is born with sex characteristics that do not fit neatly into the binary categories of male or female.
13. Neutrois: Refers to a person who identifies as having a neutral gender or feeling genderless.
14. Non-binary: Describes individuals who do not identify with the binary genders of male and female.
15. Pangender: Refers to a person who identifies with all genders.
16. Polygender: Describes individuals who identify with multiple genders.
17. Pansexual: Refers to individuals who are attracted to others regardless of their gender identity or biological sex.
18. Transgender: Describes individuals whose gender identity does not match the sex assigned to them at birth.
19. Transsexual: An older term for transgender individuals who undergo medical transitioning to affirm their gender identity.
20. Tumtum: Tumtum is a Hebrew term meaning "hidden." It describes a person whose sex is unknown because their genitalia are not easily determined or developed.
21. Two-spirit: A Native American term used to describe people who identify with a gender that does not fit into the male or female categories.
This list is by no means exhaustive, as the language of gender continues to evolve and expand to encompass the diverse experiences of individuals across the world.