Gender-fluid vs. Nonbinary: What the Terms Mean

Gender-fluid means a person’s gender identity may change over time. Gender fluidity is a type of nonbinary gender identity. It varies greatly from person to person, as some people may feel that their gender is always fluid and others may identify with different genders at different times in their life.

If you are gender-fluid, you may use male or female pronouns and express your gender outwardly as male or female, depending on how you identify at any given time.

Nonbinary means a person’s gender identity is not simply male or female. This umbrella term includes the identities that don’t fall exclusively on either end of the gender spectrum. Nonbinary includes those who identify as nonbinary, bigender, gender-fluid, and agender. Nonbinary individuals may use they/them pronouns.

It’s important to remember that gender expression (how a person expresses their gender through physical appearance) is not the same as someone's gender identity.

Since nonbinary refers to any gender identity that falls outside of traditionally binary male and female identities, there are several types. Read about the most common types of nonbinary gender identities in this list:

• Agender: Agender (also called neutrois or genderless) individuals do not identify with a distinct gender identity. In other words, their identity is gender-neutral.
• Bigender: Bigender individuals have two gender identities. They may identify with each gender at the same time or at different times. Gender identity and sexual orientation do not mean the same thing, so remember that bigender does not mean bisexual.
• Gender-fluid: Gender-fluid individuals do not identify with one gender exclusively.
• Nonbinary: Nonbinary is the overarching gender identity that encompasses several other identities. Some individuals may identify as nonbinary, rather than a more specific term.
• Two-spirit: Two-spirit comes from Indigenous communities. The term refers to having both a male and female spirit.

Nonbinary is a broader classification than gender fluidity. Nonbinary gender identity occurs when an individual does not exclusively identify as one of the two binary genders, male or female. A nonbinary person may identify as gender-fluid, agender (having an undefined gender), bigender (experiencing both genders distinctly), or nonbinary.

A gender-fluid person may, at times, identify as male or female. They may also feel that their gender is fluid at all times, and they feel aspects of both. Transgender individuals may also identify as nonbinary, though many transgender individuals identify exclusively as male or female.

It’s important to be respectful of those with gender-fluid and nonbinary gender identities. Whether or not you belong to the LGBTQ+ community, your words can impact the mental health of others. Use these tips as a guideline:

• Don’t assume gender identity based on appearance. Someone’s gender identity isn’t determined by how they physically express themselves. This is true even for cisgender people (those who identify with their sex assigned at birth). Don’t try to tell what someone’s gender identity through conventional gender norms and outward expression (like clothing and behavior).
• Disclose your pronouns and ask for the pronouns of others. Nonbinary people may use gender-neutral pronouns or they may use she/her or he/him. Be respectful of their pronouns. It’s an inclusive practice to share your pronouns upon meeting others, so that they may feel comfortable sharing theirs with you, too. You can also ask what pronouns other people would like you to use when speaking to them.
• Know that nonbinary and gender-fluid people aren’t confused. Nonbinary and gender-fluid people identify as just that; they are not confused about how they identify. There are individuals who identify as gender-fluid or nonbinary and ultimately decide to identify as male or female, but that is not the case for most.
• Understand that nonbinary does not mean transgender or intersex. You should never assume anyone’s gender identity, including the gender identity of transgender or intersex individuals (intersex individuals are born with a body that doesn’t meet the traditional definition of male or female). Both transgender people and intersex people often do identify with one gender.

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