Multigender
Terminology
Multigender an umbrella term that gives a description for many different genders and gender identities, here are just a few of the terms that can be used to describe somebody who is multigender.
Multigender
An umbrella term that is used to describe a set of gender identities in which an individual identifies as more than one gender. Sometimes they see themselves as possessing more than one gender at one time, or fluctuating between genders as time passes and other environmental changes take place.
Polygender
Polygender is another word with the same meaning as multigender or multiple genders.
Gender Fluid
One of many gender identities in which the individual has an unfixed gender identity that fluctuates or changes over time or depending on the situation they may find themselves in.
Genderflux
Very similar to genderfluid, however gender flux is when an individual’s gender identity or expression can change in intensity as time goes by.
Bigender
A multigender identity in which an individual is two genders. Sometimes these genders are combined into one gender, and other times somebody who is bigender will fluctuate between two specific identities in their own right.
Trigender
Much like bigender, trigender is a gender identity in which somebody is three genders. Sometimes these genders are combined into one gender, in which a person is three genders partially at one time. Other times multigender people who are trigender will describe their identity as three individual genders and will fluctuate between those genders in their own right.
Transgender
An umbrella term that describes all possible gender identities aside from cis. Transgender is a gender identity in which a person identifies as any gender aside from the one they were assigned at birth.
Cisgender
Cisgender refers to those who identify with the gender they were assigned at birth, opposite of transgender
Polygender
A non binary gender identity in which a person feels a connection with more than one gender identity. They may express their identify with express characteristics of multiple genders. They may also reject the idea of their being only two genders.
Agender
A Non binary gender identity in which a person does not feel a connection with or does not identify as any gender identity on the spectrum. A person who is multigender can identify as agender along with many other identities.
Demigender
Demigender combines the words demi which means half, and gender. This gender description is used by non binary individuals who feel a partial connection to a certain gender. The most common uses of these gender terms refer to demiboys, and demi girls.
Non Binary
An umbrella term that refers to a wide range of gender identities that can align with but don’t always coincide with the male/female gender binary. Non binary can include many forms of gender identity such as agender, gender fluid, gender queer, polygender, bigender, and many more.
Genderqueer
Somebody whose concept of their own gender and gender as it relates to cultural norms rejects the binary.
History
Words like multigender and polygender have only recently emerged. So has the concept of multiple genders. For the longest time, western culture was influenced and affected by the notion that there was just male or female. Now, many people see this as something that is fluid. For example – multiple genders.
Flags And Symbols
People who fall under the umbrella of multigender may find meaning in many flags that are associated with queer culture, specifically those that represent folks who are transgender, non-binary, multigender, etc. There is also a flag that was designed specifically for multigender people.
Multigender Flag
The purple represents masculine and feminine, orange is for those who reject those labels or are a gender not within of the feminine masculine spectrum. Light blue is partially masculine.
Transgender Flag
Nonbinary Flag
Intersex Flag
Am I Multigender?
It can be hard to determine if you are multigender or not. After all, just because you are a man who is interested in traditionally more feminine things this does not automatically make you a transgender man. The same goes if you are a woman who is interested in traditionally masculine things.
There is no comprehensive list that can help you determine what your gender is. However, it is important to understand that the term multigender is an umbrella term and that multigender people can come from an array of individual genders and identities.
How to Support Multigender People
There are many ways you can support multigender people. Whether you yourself are a multigender person, or you are the friend, family member, educator, or colleague of a multigender person. Supporting multigender people is important for many reasons.
Here are some things you can do in order to help you support not just multigender people, but also those who identify as different genders and other identities.
- Educate Yourself
While there might be too many genders to learn at one time it is important to educate yourself as much as you possibly can to help you understand that there are many genders that a person can identify as.You don’t have to learn everything at once, however making the effort to learn about the different individual genders and multiple genders over time show that you want to learn about multigender people. - Make Sure to Utilize the Chosen Name and Pronouns of People
Using someone’s preferred name and pronouns regardless of their relationship with them shows a positive support not just for that person in general but for other people inside and outside of the community.
