Gender Fluid Overview: Understanding the Gender Identity

Someone who identifies as gender fluid (or genderfluid) has a gender identity that varies and may change over time. Gender-fluid people may identify with different genders at different times, a combination of genders simultaneously, or no gender at all. Gender fluidity may or may not influence a person’s sexual orientation.

Gender fluidity typically exists on the gender spectrum under the greater umbrella of nonbinary identities, including any gender identities that exist out of the male-female binary. Other gender identities related to the nonbinary umbrella include agender, bigender, genderqueer, gender diverse, transgender, gender nonconforming, intersex, pangender, two-spirit, and demigender. When a person’s gender identity is the same as their biological sex or designated gender at birth, they are cisgender.

Gender fluid and nonbinary are both gender identities that someone may use to describe themselves when they don’t fall under the traditional social construct of the gender binary. In general, nonbinary is a larger umbrella term to describe any identity outside of the male-female binary and established gender norms. On the other hand, gender fluidity is one type of nonbinary identity in which a person doesn’t have a fixed gender, and their gender identity fluctuates with time.

Here’s how to show respect and care for gender-fluid individuals, as well as other LGBTQ+ and nonbinary people:

1. 1. Use the correct pronouns. A key part of allyship for any nonbinary individual is using a person’s correct pronouns—whether they identify as male or female (like he/his and she/her/hers) or gender-neutral pronouns (like they/theirs, ze/zirs, mx), and other pronouns. By using a person’s pronouns, you’re acknowledging and respecting the individual’s gender identity.
2. 2. Recognize that their identity may continue to change. Gender fluidity, by definition, is in flux—a gender-fluid person may feel any combination of male, female, a third gender, or no gender throughout the day, week, month, or year. Be flexible as you interact with gender-fluid individuals, and avoid making assumptions about how they may identify at a particular moment in time.
3. 3. Understand the difference between identity and expression. Gender identity (or how a person defines their gender) is distinct from gender expression—or how a person outwardly expresses their gender. Gender expression can encompass a range of details, including mannerisms, dress, makeup, and hairstyle. To fully support gender-fluid people (and all nonbinary individuals), remember that gender identity doesn’t always match gender expression. For example, a person dressed in clothing traditionally associated with the male gender may not identify as male. Avoid using gender expression to make assumptions about how a gender-fluid person identifies on a given day; allow them to communicate how they feel and how they’d like you to address them.

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