What is genderfluid and how to know if I am?

Martín works in a cafeteria during the day as a barista, he also studies a degree in Art History at the Autonomous University of Madrid. She often perceives herself as having the gender that matches her biological sex, but other times as a woman or she does not feel like either. This duality in your gender expression and identity makes you a genderfluid person.

In a world in which sexuality is organized according to what is masculine and feminine; Stories like Martín’s allow a universe of colors and possibilities to flourish that embraces the diversity and authenticity of each person.

These other identities challenge the imposed order and pose diverse possibilities of inhabiting gender. Therefore, They become a source of curiosity and inspiration; but also discrimination and rejection. Get ready to suggest yourself in a story that transcends gender barriers and celebrates the beauty of being who you really are.

What is genderfluid?

The genderfluid flag has five horizontal stripes: pink for femininity, blue for masculinity; purple for masculinity and femininity, black for genderlessness and white for all genders.

Genderfluid, or genderfluid, is a type of non-binary gender identity that is characterized by being dynamic, flexible and non-static. It flows depending on the moment, time and situations.

To better understand this concept, the definition and distinction between non-binary gender, gender identity, gender expression and cisgender must be taken into account:

Gender identity: It is understood as the subjective experience of how we experience the relationship with ourselves, our corporality, our sexuality and our ways of inhabiting the world.Gender expression: It refers to the way in which we materialize and make public our identity in the social scenario. In a cisnormative society like ours, it is organized around the male-female binary.Non-binary gender: refers to those people whose gender identity or gender expression does not fit with the binary categories man/woman or masculine/feminine. Can be identified as gender queergender fluid, gender non-conforming, among other terms that reflect the individual experience of gender.Cisgender: when a person’s gender identity matches the sex reflected on their original birth certificate. In most contexts, it is used as the opposite of transgender.

In this way, fluid gender breaks the gender binary and shows that gender identity does not have to be restricted solely to one of the two poles. Fluid gender can be conceptualized as a dynamic non-binary gender identity that experiences a wide range of gender expressions and experiences throughout life.

What is the difference between gender fluid and non-binary?

As we have just pointed out, fluid gender is inserted within the borders of non-binary gender. Therefore, they are two related concepts; although of course they have their nuances. After all, under the label “non-binary” several different identities are grouped together, such as genderqueerpangender, demigender, and agender (just to name a few).

The point is to understand that the term “non-binary” includes all those identities and expressions that do not feel in accordance with the binary man/woman and masculine/feminine. In the specific case of fluid gender, those who perceive themselves as such do not have an established gender or do not find comfort within the available gender spectrum.

Characteristics of gender fluid

Since it is possible that many doubts still persist about what the genderfluidwe proceed to collect a series of distinctive characteristics to clarify the panorama:

Genderfluid is an identity in itself that not limited to a specific gender category or a particular role.Being gender fluid does not mean the same for every person. Therefore, it is not always expressed in the same way and there is no formula to navigate the genre. It implies a gender experience that changes permanently.Changes do not have to be constant. For example, it may take years or decades before one occurs. In other cases, of course, it can vary in a matter of days or hours.Such changes can occur only in identity, only in expression; or in bothAs Harvard Health Publishing advises, gender fluidity can be a way to explore gender before choosing a stable gender expression or identity. For others, it may be an indefinite or permanent experience. Gender expression in genderfluid people is based on authenticity and comfort in each particular moment. They are not uniquely limited to the categories traditionally associated with masculinity and femininity.Not all people who experience changes in their gender expression or identity identify as gender fluid..

Again, the experience is highly variable; so you cannot limit the characteristics of those who identify themselves as genderfluid. All in all, these ideas allow us to better understand that gender is a spectrum and that there are experiences beyond binarism.

What is a gender fluid person like?

People who identify as genderfluid feel that both their gender identity and expression fluctuate between the possibility of perceive themselves as men, women; both simultaneously or even neither of the two.

Thus, for example, there are items of clothing and aesthetic manifestations that are considered appropriate and appropriate for each gender. But fluid gender identities, like Martín, transgress these codes and express them creatively. Thus, they reinvent the genre in new and non-preestablished ways.

How do I know if I am a genderfluid person?

Doubts and confusions are not only present in a society designed to assimilate sex and gender through two poles, They are also in those who experience it firsthand. Without the intention of limiting the responses to whether or not they identify within this spectrum, the following questions may indicate an association:

Do you not feel comfortable with the gender you were assigned at birth, but you also do not quite feel that you belong completely to the other gender? Do you feel that your gender identity is somewhat unstable, with moments in which you feel more masculine and others more feminine? Do you identify with elements of both genders, feeling that aspects associated with masculinity and femininity define you? Do you use gender pronouns interchangeably (he/her) or do you prefer gender-neutral pronouns like “she”? Doesn’t it bother you when people get confused with your pronouns? Does your style of dress not belong to any gender and vary between the two? Do you like to dress in clothes that are not associated with your sex, but also in those that are, depending on how you feel at that moment?

Neither blue nor pink: the importance of pronouns

In the case of genderfluid people, the act of recognition has become an important political struggle for the visibility and acceptance of diversity. Following this, There are more and more initiatives to normalize the fact of asking for the preferred pronoun until it becomes a common practice.

Although for many people the discussion about inclusive language It is banal and unnecessary, for the LGBTIQ+ community and feminist movements It is vitally important to generate visibility and recognition through language.

Those who defend these initiatives affirm that strategies such as using the word person to avoid making binary gender assignments, or asking for preferred pronouns, can make the language more inclusive. This contributes to generating a society that is more respectful of difference and more aware of the richness of diversity.

Furthermore, this transgressive nature of the gender binary means that people who identify as genderfluid face different forms of discrimination and violence.

A universe of colors: dismantling stereotypes

The act of naming and having a name inscribe us in pre-established linguistic regimes and gender identity that often align with our biological sex.

However, many people do not limit themselves to these confines. Gender identity is a vibrant and diverse aspect, where fluidity challenges binary labels. To celebrate gender fluidity is to open a world of possibilities, where authenticity shines in all the colors of the rainbow.

Acceptance of gender diversity is a vital step towards a more inclusive and understanding society, where each individual has the space to be who they are, without limitations imposed by traditional expectations.

You might be interested…