The rising wave of violence against the LGBTQ+ community all over the world has made it even more essential to understand different gender identities. Non-binary people might experience discrimination in the workplace and violence and harassment simply because of their gender identity. Expressing yourself as a man or a woman, or none at all, is a personal choice. It does not reflect the intellect or capabilities of the concerned person. 

The spectrum of gender identities is vast and complex. Understanding these differences in identity is crucial to fostering a more inclusive society. Some people can experience a disconnect between their gender identity and the sex assigned at birth. This could lead to significant internal conflict and disconnect with one’s identity. Here, we discuss eight different gender identities. This is by no means an exhaustive list. 

What is gender identity?

Gender identity is how a person perceives themselves. It is how they determine themselves as men, women, or none. 

Most people identify with the same gender which they were assigned at birth. This means most people assigned males at birth identify as men, while those assigned females identify as women.

However, for some people, the genders they identify with differ from what they were assigned at birth. Such people are referred to as gender non-conforming or non-binary people. The concept of gender identity continuously evolves as our perceptions change over time.

The term gender identity came into being in the 1960s. It mainly included people who identified differently from the sex they were assigned at birth. Terms like “transsexual” have also changed meaning over time. It is used to indicate people undergoing specific medical procedures, such as mastectomy or scrotoplasty. However, this term now also includes people who have a gender identity that is different from the sex assigned at birth.

Gender vs sex

Many people use the terms “sex” and “gender” interchangeably. However, they don’t mean the same. Gender is your identity. It is how you feel internally and choose to express yourself externally. It can also refer to social ideas of masculinity and femininity.

Sex refers to your biological characteristics and depends on your genitals, hormones, and chromosomes. You can be a male, female, or an intersex person. For most people, their sex assigned at birth aligns with their gender identity.  However, for some people, their gender identity is vastly different from their sex.

Gender identity vs sexual orientation

Gender identity has nothing to do with a person’s sexual orientation. Sexual orientation implies a person’s romantic, physical, or emotional attraction to another person.

A transgender person can identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, or otherwise, just like any other cisgender person. Likewise, a person who identifies as lesbian or gay can be trans, non-binary, or gender fluid.

It is important not to assume someone’s sexual orientation based on their gender identity.

If a friend of yours has revealed their gender or sexual identity to you, remember to treat this information respectfully. It is a good idea not to casually announce someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation since it might be private and confidential for them.

Gender identity can be far more diverse than traditional ideas of male and female. It can, in fact, exist on a spectrum. To celebrate this diversity and to better understand different gender identities, we have compiled a list of eight distinct gender identities.   

Eight different gender identities

Here is a list of eight different gender identities. This list is not exhaustive; you can find more information on gender identities here.

• Cisgender: This person’s gender identity matches the sex assigned at birth. For example, a person who was born with female sex organs and assigned female at birth and identifies as a woman is a cisgender person. 
• Transgender: This is someone whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. Sometimes, trans or transgender is used as an umbrella term for gender non-conforming people. However, it might not always be accurate as not every gender-non-confirming person identifies as transgender. 
• Agender: This is a person who does not identify with any gender, or they may have no gender at all. Some other similar terms are gender neutral, genderless, or neutrois.
• Gender fluid: Someone who does not have a fixed gender identity. They might identify with multiple genders, or their gender identity and expression might change under different circumstances. 
• Genderqueer: Someone who does not identify with the social construction of genders. They may identify as neither male nor female or have a gender identity beyond the gender binary system.  
• Feminine-of-center: Someone who experiences their gender as primarily female or femme. Sometimes, they might identify with the term “woman,” and sometimes not. This term has nothing to do with the sex of a person assigned at birth and is only used to describe their gender identity.
• Two-spirit: This is a term used by the indigenous people of North America to denote people in their communities who fulfill both masculine and feminine roles. A two-spirit person can walk between two genders, not identify with any gender, or identify as a member of the LGBTQ community. When Europeans arrived in North America, they introduced alien ideas of homophobia into the society. Nowadays, many people who belong to the indigenous communities are redefining what it means to be a two-spirit person. 
• Masculine-of-center: This is a person whose gender identity is primarily masculine. Some people who identify as masculine-of-center might identify as a man, while others don’t. 
• Butch: This term, used mainly within the LGBTQ+ community, indicates a person whose gender identity and expression is primarily masculine. Lesbians often use this term to express their masculinity or what society categorizes as male behavior.    

The role of pronouns

Pronouns are not necessarily something that only affects gender non-conforming people.

However, when you address a nonbinary person with their correct pronouns, it is a way of showing them respect and affirming their gender identity. We sometimes assume a person’s pronouns based on their name, outward appearance, and gender expression.

However, these parameters might not reveal their gender identity, and knowing what pronouns to use for someone you have just met might be difficult. So, if you are unsure, ask them their pronouns directly. Start a conversation by saying, “Hi, I use she/her pronouns; what about you?”

It might sound awkward initially, but you will eventually get used to it. If you make a mistake and refer to someone using the wrong pronouns, apologize and move on. It’s perfectly natural to make mistakes, and there’s no need to be ashamed if it is genuine.

Why gender identity matters

Discriminating against gender non-conforming people and restricting them from getting equal opportunities is a violation of human rights. Moreover, hiding one’s gender identity for fear of judgment and backlash can lead to gender dysphoria.

Gender dysphoria is a condition where a person feels uneasy when their biological sex and gender identities don’t match. It can lead to severe mental health disorders and harm a person’s overall well-being. Our collective goal should be to build a truly inclusive society where everyone feels seen, heard, and accepted just as they are, regardless of their gender identity. An inclusive society that doesn’t judge a person based on their gender identities will lead to increased happiness and self-esteem for gender non-conforming people. It will also lead to more contributions from them to society’s wellbeing and upliftment. 

You could also contribute to this upliftment. Educate yourself on different gender identities, use inclusive language, and support organizations that help gender-diverse individuals. Here are a few resources to check out if you are looking for such organizations.