Gender Terminology and Definitions
Non Binary
Generally recognised as the umbrella term for genders outside the binary. Relating to a gender or sexual identity that is not defined in terms of the traditional binary options such as male and female. See also genderqueer, gender-neutral and gender-fluid.
Agender
A person who does not identify themselves as having any particular gender.
Note: This does not mean the same as asexual.
Asexual
The lack of sexual attraction or desire for other people in general.
Androgyne
Combining masculine and feminine characteristics in regards to appearance, gender identity or sexual identity.
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Neutrois
A person who has a neutral gender identity or who lacks a specific gender identity.
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Genderqueer
A person who does not subscribe to conventional gender distinctions and identifies with neither, both, or a combination of male and female genders.
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Bi Gender
Bigender refers to a person who has two gender identities or a combination of two gender identities. Someone who identifies as both man and woman.
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Pangender
Pangender refers to a person whose gender identity is not limited to one gender and may encompass all genders on the gender spectrum.
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Epicene
Having characteristics of both sexes or no characteristics of either sex; of indeterminate sex. (Historically used in regard to loss of masculinity).
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Gender Neutral
A person who believes policies, language, and other social institutions / social structures / gender roles should avoid distinguishing roles according to people's sex or gender.
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Genderfluid
A person who does not identify with a single fixed gender or has a fluid or unfixed gender identity.
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Transgender
Denoting or relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex. Someone who identifies differently from their birth sex.
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Trans-sexual
A person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex.
Intergender
A variation in sex characteristics including chromosomes and/or genitals that do not allow an individual to be directly identified as male or female. A person whose gender identity is midway between male and female.
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NOTE : These terms are only 'some' of the ever expanding vocabulary that has emerged to describe the various positions in the gender spectrum.
Gender - relating to the choice of partner
Some individuals are happy in their gender roles but prefer to have a same sex partner. This is where terms like gay, lesbian, homosexual etc are more likely to be used.
Gender - as a physical / sexual identity
Some people are more concerned with identifying as a particular sex. They want to be a male, or a female. The idea of physically changing to be more like the sex other than their birth sex can be important. The terms most often associated with this are likely to be transgender and transsexual.