Nonbinary Wiki - User contributions [en]

Gender neutral language in English

2021-04-18T15:36:29Z

2601:743:200:6AB:ED5D:F340:54C5:9BAC: /* Other terms */Added “fanchild”

{{Template:Gender neutral language}}
'''Gender neutral language in English''' is easier than [[gender neutral language]] (also called gender inclusive language) in many other languages, because its grammatical gender is less pervasive than in, say, German or French. See the main article on [[gender neutral language]] for general reasons to use neutral language, common problems in using it, and its use for [[nonbinary]] people.

==History==

Although English has grammatical gender, it's only a vestige of what it once had. Old English once had grammatical gender for inanimate objects, but this practice started to disappear in the 700s, and vanished in the 1200s. The population of England at that time spoke several languages, and the same inanimate objects had different genders in those different languages. They may have stopped using that part entirely just to make it simpler. English stopped using grammatical gender for inanimate objects, but it still uses grammatical gender for people and personal pronouns.<ref>Dictionary.com. "English used to have gendered nouns?! Yes!" May 16, 2012. ''Dictionary.com'' (blog). [http://blog.dictionary.com/oldenglishgender/ http://blog.dictionary.com/oldenglishgender/]</ref> There is enough to make a challenge for nonbinary people who don't want gendered language to be used for them.

Gender-neutral language has become common in English today largely thanks to the pioneering work by feminists Casey Miller and Kate Swift. During the 1970s, they began the work of encouraging inclusive language, as an alternative to sexist language that excludes or dehumanizes women. Miller and Swift wrote a manual on gender-neutral language, ''The Handbook of Nonsexist Writing'' (1980). Miller and Swift also proposed a set of gender-neutral pronouns, [[English neutral pronouns#Tey|tey]], although they later favored [[English neutral pronouns#They|singular they]], or [[English neutral pronouns#He or she|he or she]].<ref>Elizabeth Isele, "Casey Miller and Kate Swift: Women who dared to disturb the lexicon." http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/old-WILLA/fall94/h2-isele.html </ref> There are several books on gender-neutral English, such as Rosalie Maggio's book ''The Nonsexist Word Finder: A Dictionary of Gender-Free Usage'' (1989).

==Words and alternatives==

This is a list of both standard (dictionary) and non-standard (created) terms and pronouns to include [[nonbinary gender|nonbinary identities]]. It should be noted that while some are [[agender|genderless]] or [[third gender]], others are multigender. Terms will be marked with the implied gender identity when possible.

===Pronouns===

''See main article at [[English neutral pronouns]].''

===Titles===

''For gender-neutral replacements of titles like Ms and Mr, see main article at [[Gender neutral titles]].''

==== Honorifics ====

===== Ma'am/Sir =====
Standard English doesn't have a gender neutral word that's used in the same way as Ma'am and Sir — a formal form of address used in some places to show respect, and commonly required for use by customer service professionals. People have created some words to fill this lexical gap, but they remain uncommon words. People have also suggested using other words in place of Ma'am and Sir, but they tend to fail the tests of formality and simplicity that customer service professionals (and their managers) apply to such usage. {{Common word|word1=Friend|meaning1=Neutral, informal.|ref1=|word2=Tiz|meaning2=A gender-neutral replacement for ma'am/sir, from Citizen.}}

* Citizen; neutral.
*Comrade; neutral, not suitable for all situations due to leftist connotations, which may be triggering for survivors of certain socialist regimes.
* Friend; neutral, very informal.
* Laddam; queer, a mix of Lad and Madam.
* Mezz; pronounced [mɛz].<ref name="MoserDevereux2016">{{cite journal|last1=Moser|first1=Charles|last2=Devereux|first2=Maura|title=Gender neutral pronouns: A modest proposal|journal=International Journal of Transgenderism|volume=20|issue=2-3|year=2016|pages=331–332|issn=1553-2739|doi=10.1080/15532739.2016.1217446}}</ref>
* Mir; queer, a mix of Sir and Madam.
* Mirdam; queer, a mix of Sir and Madam, although it still sounds similar to Madam.
* Mistdam; queer, a mix of Mister and Madam.
* Sir; neutral, Sir is used neutrally in the military, although this doesn’t work as well outside of that.
* Sir’ram; queer, a mix of Sir and Ma’am.

* Shazam'''.''' Neutral, coined by a highschool student wishing to address a nonbinary teacher with a formal term of respect.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/1601168520209978/|title=Facebook Groups|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2020-11-18}}</ref>
*Tiz; neutral, short for citizen.
* Zam'''.''' Neutral, based on shazam, coined by Arin Wolfe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/1601168520209978/|title=Facebook Groups|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2020-11-18}}</ref>

===Common nouns===

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
! Type of common noun
! Feminine
! Masculine
! Gender inclusive (could be masculine or feminine)
! Specifically nonbinary
|-
| Young person
| Girl, maiden
| Boy, youth
| Child, kid, infant, teen, teenager, tween, young person, youth
| Enby
|-
| Adult person
| Woman, gal, lady
| Man, gentleman, lad
| Adult, gentlebeing, gentleperson, grownup
| Enby, enban
|-
| Person of any age
| Female
| Male
| Being, human, human being, one, person, somebody, someone
| Enby
|}
(Note that using "male" and "female" as nouns for people, e.g. "my dentist is a male", is seen as dehumanising in English, and in particular "female" as a noun is considered sexist.)
(Note 2: Some nonbinary people dislike "enby" and feel it is infantilizing.<ref>https://nonbinarywiki.tumblr.com/post/621003149724041217/on-enby-and-age</ref>)

===Family and relationship words===

''See also: [[family]] and [[intimacy]].''

====Parent====

Parents as in the formal words mother or father, or the informal mama or dada. Gender-neutral and gender-inclusive words for a parent of any gender, or non-standard specifically nonbinary, [[queer]], or [[genderqueer]] words.

{{common word|word1 = Parent|meaning1 = Neutral, formal|ref1=<ref name="titles queeries" />}}

* '''Baba.''' "Neutral, based on mama and dada. (Note, baba means dad in some languages and grandmother in others.)"<ref name="titles queeries">"Gender neutral/queer titles." ''Gender Queeries.'' [http://genderqueeries.tumblr.com/titles http://genderqueeries.tumblr.com/titles]</ref>
* '''Bibi.''' "Queer, based on the B in NB [nonbinary], similar to mama and papa/dada."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Cenn.''' "Neutral, short for cennend," which see.<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Cennend.''' "Neutral, Old English (Anglo-Saxon) meaning parent."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Da.''' "Queer mixture (note: sounds like Ma, Pa). However, "Da'" is used in some areas of Britain and Ireland as a shortened form of "Dad".
*'''Dommy.''' "Queer, mixture of mommy and daddy (note: sounds like Dom/me, a BDSM term)."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Mada.''' Queer, mixture of mama and dad.
* '''Maddy.''' "Queer, mixture of mummy/mommy and daddy."<ref name="titles queeries" /> Note: Sometimes used to mean a [[trans woman]] who has children.<ref name="Lane-glossary">{{Cite web |title=LGBTQ Glossary |last=Lane |first=S. Nicole |work=Chicago Reader |date=26 June 2019 |access-date=18 November 2020 |url= https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/lgbtq-glossary/Content?oid=71278133}}</ref>
* '''Moddy.''' "Queer, mixture of mommy and daddy."<ref name="titles queeries" />
*'''Moppa / Mopa.''' A mix of mommy and papa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.same-sexparents.com/post/gender-neutral-non-binary-parent-titles|title=Gender Neutral/Non-Binary Parent Titles|last=Parents|first=Same Sex|date=2019-03-22|website=Same Sex Parents|language=en|access-date=2020-11-18}}</ref>
* '''Muddy.''' "Queer, mixture of mummy and daddy."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Nibi.''' "A mix of ''bibi'' and ''nini''."
* '''Nini.''' "Queer, based on the N in NB, similar to mama and papa/dada."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Non.''' Follows a similar pattern (CvC) to Mom or Dad, could be short for "nonbinary".
*'''Nonny.''' Based on the N in NB, similar to Mommy or Daddy, generally used when a child is referring to their nonbinary parent.
*'''Numa.''' A nickname that was repurposed to be a parent name. Coincidentally like a combination of Nonbinary Mumma.
* '''Par.''' "Neutral, short for parent."<ref name="titles queeries" />
*'''Pare''': Short for '''pare'''nt. Can call to mind an au pair, which is a live in childcare worker (usually a woman but not always). The term means equal to, implying that one is equal to a mother or father. Also similar to père, or the French word for father. Other associations include pear (the fruit) or pair, as in the other half of a couple.
* '''Parental Unit (PU).''' Neutral, informal, humorous, possibly disrespectful. Used by the alien family in ''Coneheads,'' and taken up by popular culture.<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Per.''' "Neutral, short for parent."<ref name="titles queeries" /> (See also: [[Pronouns#Per|per pronouns]] and [[Gender neutral titles#Pr|Pr title]].)
* '''Ren.''' Derived from "pa<u>ren</u>t." Gender-neutral. The equivalent to mommy or daddy is "renny." Coined or popularized by Katie Hall in 2017.<ref> Katie Hall. June 11, 2017. https://ithelpstodream.tumblr.com/post/161695436793 </ref>
* '''Zaza.''' "Queer, based on mama and papa/dada."<ref name="titles queeries" /><ref name="Lane-glossary" />
* '''Zither.''' "Queer, based on mother and father. (Note, zither is also the name of a musical instrument.)"<ref name="titles queeries" />

====Child====

Some of these gender-inclusive or gender-queer words refer only to relationship (as in daughter, son, or offspring), others only to age (girl, boy, or young one), and some to both (children).

{{common word
|word1 = Baby|meaning1 = Standard neutral word for very young offspring or very young people.
|word2 = Child|meaning2 = Standard gender neutral word for a young person or an offspring. Implied age isn't adult, but may be.
|word3 = Kid|meaning3 = Standard informal gender neutral term for young children or young offspring.}}

* '''Bitsy.''' Non-standard [[genderqueer]] term for a very young person.<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Charge.''' Standard gender neutral word for a person in the care of another, often one's child.
*'''Chitlin.''' A way of saying children in a non plural way, often used when referring to a nonbinary child.
* '''Dependent.''' A person who relies on another-- usually a family member who may or may not be their parent-- for financial support; this is most often used as a standard gender-neutral word for a child too young to work. Formal.
* '''Enby.''' From "NB (nonbinary)", a nonbinary equivalent of the words "boy" and "girl." However, some adults call themselves enbies.<ref>''[https://gendercensus.com/post/620965788841558016/on-enby-and-age On “enby” and age]'', 15 June 2020, [https://gendercensus.com Gender Census]</ref>
* '''Get.''' Poetic language for offspring.
* '''Little one.''' Neutral word for a very young child or young offspring.
* '''Minor.''' Standard gender-neutral word for a person under the legal age of consent.
* '''Nesser.''' Non-standard genderqueer term for "daughter/son".<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Offspring.''' Neutral, standard word, but not usually used for people, except in legal language.
* '''Oldest.''' Neutral, a way of speaking of one's offspring by saying "my oldest," rather than saying "my daughter/son."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Sprog.''' Neutral, crude word for a young person.<ref name="titles queeries" /><ref name="Lane-glossary" />
* '''Youth.''' Neutral, poetic word for a young person, but usually implied to be male.
* '''Young.''' Neutral, standard word for offspring, but not usually used for people ("my young.")
* '''Youngest.''' Neutral, a way of speaking of one's offspring by saying "my youngest," rather than saying "my daughter/son."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Young one.''' Neutral, poetic. Alternatively: young'un.
* '''Young person.''' Neutral, standard, formal.
* '''Ward.''' Standard gender-neutral word for a person, usually a child, under the care of an adult, who may or may not be their parent. Formal.

====Aunt/Uncle====

Standard English doesn't have a gender neutral word for one's parent's sibling. People have created some words to fill this lexical gap, but they are still uncommon words.

{{common word
|word1 = Auncle|meaning1 = Combination of aunt and uncle.|ref1 = <ref>[https://twitter.com/NonbinaryWiki/status/1075824956733317121 Poll on Twitter].</ref>
}}

* '''Avaunt.''' It derives from the roots of both "aunt" and "uncle", the anglo-French "aunte" and the Latin "avunculus".
* '''Bibi.''' "Queer, based on the B in NB [nonbinary], similar to Titi/Zizi."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Cousin.''' "Neutral, as sometimes people say aunt/uncle for parents’ cousins, or much older cousins."<ref name="titles queeries" />
*'''Nibi.''' Combination of Nini and Bibi, based on NB.
* '''Entle.''' "Non-standard alternative that combines the sounds of ''aunt'' and ''uncle'' in a single word."<ref>[https://overexplainingautistic.tumblr.com/post/172886551884/gender-neutral-variant-of-auntuncle?is_related_post=1 Gender neutral variant of aunt/uncle] by Over Explaining Autistic</ref>
* '''Nini.''' "Queer, based on the N in NB, similar to Titi/Zizi."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Ommer.''' Non-standard genderqueer term for "aunt/uncle".
*'''Oggy.''' Non-standard genderqueer/nonbinary term for parents sibling.
* '''Pibling.''' "Neutral, your parent’s sibling."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Titi.''' "Neutral, from the Spanish for Aunt (Tia) and Uncle (Tio). (however, it is often a diminuative of aunt.) Tie is also gaining popularity the neutral e becoming more prevalent in casual Spanish. "<ref name="titles queeries" /> "Titi" also happens to be a vulgar Filipino term for penis.{{Citation needed}}
* '''Zizi.''' "Neutral, from the Italian for Aunt (Zia) and Uncle (Zio). (Note: zizi is also a French children’s ‘cute’ word for penis.)"<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Untie/Unty.''' "Queer, combination of uncle and auntie/aunty."<ref name="titles queeries" />

====Niece/Nephew====

Standard English doesn't have a gender neutral word for one's sibling's child. People have created some words to fill this lexical gap, but they are still uncommon words.

{{common word
|word1 = Nibling|meaning1 = Non-standard gender neutral term for "niece/nephew".|ref1 = <ref>[http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nibling Coined by linguist Samuel E. Martin in 1951 from nephew/niece by analogy with sibling.]</ref>
}}

* '''Chibling.''' "Neutral, the children of your sibling."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Cousin.''' "Neutral, as sometimes people say niece/nephew for cousins’ children, or much younger cousins."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Nespring.''' A mix of ''offspring'' and the Latin word ''nepos'', from which both ''niece'' and ''nephew'' are derived.
* '''Niecew.''' "Queer, mixture of niece and nephew."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Nieph.''' "Queer, mixture of niece and nephew."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Niephling.''' Neutral, mixture of niece, nephew, and sibling. <ref>Jed Hartman. "nibling, niephling, niefling, etc" Oct. 27, 2008. ''Neology'' (blog) https://www.kith.org/journals/neology/2008/10/nibling_niephling_niefling_etc.html</ref>
* '''Nephiece.''' "Queer, mixture of nephew and niece."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Sibkid.''' "Neutral, short for sibling’s kid."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Niephew.''' "A mixture of niece and nephew."<ref name="Lang">{{Cite web |title=Cory Booker: Nonbinary ‘Niephew’ Taught Me How to Be Trans Ally |last=Lang |first=Nico |work=out.com |date=21 August 2019 |access-date=9 June 2020 |url= https://www.out.com/politics/2019/8/21/cory-booker-nonbinary-niephew-taught-me-how-be-trans-ally}}</ref>

====Grandparent====

Gender-neutral or genderqueer words for grandparent.

{{common word
|word1 = Grandparent|meaning1 = Neutral, formal.|ref1 = <ref name="titles queeries" />}}

* '''Bibi.''' "Queer, based on the B in NB, similar to nana and papa."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Grandwa.''' "Queer, based on grandma and grandpa."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Grandy.'''' "Neutral, short for Grandparent, Grandma or Grandpa."<ref name="titles queeries" /><ref name="Lane-glossary" />
* '''Nini.''' "Queer, based on the N in NB, similar to nana and papa."<ref name="titles queeries" />
*'''Gran'''. Short for grandparent, grandmother, or grandfather.

====Sibling====

Gender-neutral or genderqueer words for sibling.

{{common word
|word1 = Sibling | meaning1 = Standard gender neutral term for sister or brother.
|word2 = Sib | meaning2 = Short for sibling, equivalent of ''bro'' or ''sis''.}}

* '''Emmer.''' Non-standard genderqueer term for sibling.
* '''Sibster.''' "Queer, combination of sibling and sister."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Sibter.''' "Queer, combination of sibling and brother."<ref name="titles queeries" />

====Partner====

Gender-inclusive or genderqueer words for tentative romantic and sexual partners (as in girlfriend, boyfriend, or date) as well as permanent ones (as in wife, husband, or spouse).

=====Date=====

Gender-neutral and genderqueer words for a non-committed relationship, such as boyfriend, girlfriend, or date.

{{common word
|word1 = Date |meaning1 = Neutral, the person you are dating.|ref1 = <ref name="titles queeries" />
|word2 = Love/Lover|meaning2 = Neutral, often implies sexual relationship, but simply refers to someone you love/who loves you.|ref2 = <ref name="titles queeries" />
|word3 = Sweetie/Sweetheart |meaning3 = Neutral, cheesy or old-fashioned.|ref3 = <ref name="titles queeries" />}}

* '''Birlfriend.''' "Queer, mix of boyfriend and girlfriend."<ref name="titles queeries" /> [[Birl]] is also a particular gender identity.
* '''Boifriend.''' "Queer, [[boi]] is a particular gender identity."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Boo.''' From "beau". Originated as African American slang, but now used more widely.
* '''Bothfriend.''' "Queer, for [[bigender]] or [[androgynous]] people."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Boygirlfriend.''' "Queer, for bigender or androgynous people."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Cuddle Buddy.''' "Neutral, cheesy."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Darling.''' Neutral, a general term of affection, similar to sweetheart but not antiquated.
* '''Datefriend.''' "Neutral, the person you are dating, but fitting the boyfriend/girlfriend pattern."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Datemate.''' "Neutral, a rhyming version of datefriend, the person you are dating."<ref name="titles queeries" /><ref name="Lane-glossary" />
* '''Enbyfriend.''' "Queer, based on boyfriend and girfriend. (note: enby comes from NB, non-binary)."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Feyfriend.''' Queer, due to the implications of "fey."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Genderfriend.''' "Queer, based on boyfriend and girlfriend."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Girlboyfriend.''' "Queer, for bigender or androgynous people."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''[name]friend.''' "Queer, based on girlfriend and boyfriend."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Paramour.''' "Neutral, someone you are having a sexual relationship with."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Personfriend.''' "Neutral, leaning towards queer, based on boyfriend and girlfriend."<ref name="titles queeries" />
*'''Theyfriend.''' "Neutral, based on a combination of pronouns and boyfriend and girlfriend."
*'''Joyfriend.''' "Neutral, cute, based on girlfriend, boyfriend, and theyfriend. <ref>https://realtransfacts.tumblr.com/post/187145281108/enbyfriend-theyfriend-joyfriend</ref>

=====Significant other=====

Gender-neutral and genderqueer words for a girlfriend, boyfriend, or partner in a committed relationship.

{{common word
|word1 = Beloved|meaning1 = Neutral, one who one loves.
|word2 = Partner|meaning2 = Neutral, often (but not necessarily) queer.
|word3 = Significant Other (SO)|meaning3 = Neutral, quite formal. Implies monogamy.|ref3 = <ref name="titles queeries" />}}

* '''Birlfriend.''' "Queer, mix of boyfriend and girlfriend."<ref name="titles queeries" /> [[Birl]] is also a particular gender identity.
* '''Boifriend.''' "Queer, [[boi]] is a particular gender identity."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Boofriend.''' "Neutral, playing off of 'Boo' (above)." Great cute option!
* '''Bothfriend.''' "Queer, for [[bigender]] or [[androgynous]] people."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Boygirlfriend.''' "Queer, for bigender or androgynous people."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Companion.''' "Neutral, reference to Doctor Who’s companions, or Firefly’s Companions."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Cuddle Buddy.''' "Neutral, cheesy."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Darling.''' Neutral, a general term of affection, similar to sweetheart but not antiquated.
* '''Datemate.''' Queer, for nonbinary people.
* '''Enbyfriend.''' "Queer, based on boyfriend and girfriend. (note: enby comes from NB, non-binary)."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Feyfriend.''' Queer, due to the implications of "fey."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Genderfriend.''' "Queer, based on boyfriend and girlfriend."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Girlboyfriend.''' "Queer, for bigender or androgynous people."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Imzadi.''' "Neutral, from Star Trek, a Betazed word similar to beloved."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Loveperson.''' "Neutral, a person that you love."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''[name]friend.''' "Queer, based on girlfriend and boyfriend."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Other Half.''' "Neutral, informal, and implies monogamy."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Paramour.''' "Neutral, someone you are having a sexual relationship with."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Personfriend.''' "Neutral, leaning towards queer, based on boyfriend and girlfriend."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Signif.''' Neutral. Slang abbreviation of "significant other."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sunmancer.tumblr.com/post/138108563727/today-my-professor-shortened-the-term-significant|date=26 January 2016|author=Elijah|title=today my professor shortened the term “significant others” to “signifs” reblog to make signif the new gender neutral term for the person you’re dating}}</ref>
* '''S.O..''' Neutral. Widely used abbreviation of "significant other."
* '''Soul Mate.''' "Neutral, slightly cheesy, implies belief in soul mates."<ref name="titles queeries" /> Implies monogamy.
* '''Steady.''' "Neutral, as in 'going steady' or 'steady girlfriend/boyfriend'."<ref name="titles queeries" /> Implies monogamy.
* '''Sweetie.''' "Neutral, slightly cheesy."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Sweetheart.''' "Neutral, cheesy or old-fashioned."<ref name="titles queeries" />

=====Fiancée/Fiancé=====

In addition to the above list of words for significant other.

* '''Betrothed.''' "Neutral, formal."<ref name="titles queeries" /> Usually means an arranged marriage.
* '''Spouse-to-be.'''
* '''Intended'''. Implies intent to marry.
*'''Epoxi'''; neutral, from the French ‘''é''poux’ which means husband/spouse.

=====Spouse=====

In addition to the above list of words for significant other.

* '''Spouse.''' "Standard, neutral, formal."<ref name="titles queeries" />
*'''Epox;''' neutral, from the French ‘''é''poux’ which means husband/spouse.

====Other family relationships====

Gender-neutral and genderqueer words for other kinds of family relationships.

* '''Godparent.''' Standard gender neutral term for godfather or godmother.
*'''Godren'''
* '''Grandchild.''' Standard gender neutral term for grandson or granddaughter.

'''Boy/Girl'''

'''Enby-''' From NB or nonbinary

'''Neut''' as in Neutral

'''Null''' gender is null

'''Newt''' another form of neutral/neut

===Professions===

* '''Bartender''' or '''Bar tender.''' Standard gender neutral term for barman or barmaid.
* '''Business person.''' Standard gender neutral term for businessman or businesswoman.
* '''Clergy member.''' Standard gender neutral term for clergyman, priest, priestess, and many religious titles.
*'''Consort.''' Term for the Queen or Prince Consort, dropping the gendered part.
* '''Cowhand.''' Standard gender neutral term for cowboy or cowgirl.
* '''Comedian.''' Standard gender neutral term. Although some people use "comedienne" for women, "comedian" is generally considered non-gendered.
* '''Flight attendant.''' Standard gender neutral term for stewardess/steward (on a plane).
* '''Heroix.''' Proposed nonbinary equivalent to hero or heroine that specifies an individual doing heroic work is nonbinary.
* '''Horse rider/Equestrian.''' Standard gender neutral term for horseman or horsewoman.
*'''-ling.''' Gender neutral Old English suffix for someone involved in something. Can be used in place of "-man", "-person" or "-woman" as a suffix for occupation, such as "businessling".<ref>[https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/52135/3-facts-about-english%E2%80%99s-most-adorable-suffix-ling#:~:text=JUST%20A%20GENERAL%20NOUN%2DMAKER,fiction%20meaning%20came%20much%20later https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/52135/3-facts-about-english%E2%80%99s-most-adorable-suffix-ling]</ref>
* '''Minister.''' Standard gender neutral term for priest or priestess.
* '''Monarch.''' Standard gender neutral term for a king or queen.
* '''Monarch's heir.''' Gender neutral term for a prince or princess.
* '''Movie star''' or '''TV star'''. Standard gender neutral terms for "actor"/"actress", although increasingly the word "actor" is being used regardless of gender,<ref name="Hartzer">{{Cite web |title=Gender Neutral: Actor |last=Hartzer |first=Paul |work=Medium |date=2 January 2020 |access-date=3 July 2020 |url= https://medium.com/@paulhartzer/gender-neutral-actor-90f5ff200f4d}}</ref> including by some nonbinary stars such as [[Asia Kate Dillon]].<ref name="Dillon2020">{{Cite web |title='Billions' Star Asia Kate Dillon Calls for SAG Awards to Abolish Gender-Specific Categories (EXCLUSIVE) |last=Dillon |first=Asia Kate |work=Variety |date=10 June 2020 |access-date=3 July 2020 |url= https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/asia-kate-dillon-billions-sag-awards-open-letter-1234630871/#!}}</ref>
* '''Noble.''' A nobleman/noblewoman, lord/lady, prince/princess, duke/duchess, or many other noble ranks that lack specific gender neutral titles.
* '''Prime.''' Derived from Latin. Gender Neutral term for a prince or princess.
* '''Princexx/Princex/Prinx/Prin/Prinxe/Princet/Princette/Princev/Princen/Princus/Heir''' Other gender neutral terms for Prince/Princess/Royalty incorporating the letter x; a common indicator of gender neutral language.
* '''Pilot.''' Standard gender neutral term for aviator or aviatrix.
* '''Police officer''' or '''cop'''. Standard gender neutral terms for policeman or policewoman.
* '''Priestx'''. Other gender neutral term to substitute for Priest or Priestess, mainly used in [[Pagan]] community.
* '''Quing'''. Neologistic gender-neutral term for a monarch.
* '''Royalty.''' Standard. Usually refers to a family but can be used as a Gender Neutral term for a prince/princess or a king/queen.
* '''Server.''' Standard gender neutral term for a person who provides items to customers, such as a "waiter/waitress" or "steward/stewardess".
* '''Wix'''. Neologistic gender neutral term for a magic user (akin to "witch"/"wizard"). Originated in Harry Potter fandom<ref>https://wixenzine.tumblr.com/about</ref>, created by tumblr blog magicqueers.<ref>https://fanlore.org/wiki/Wix</ref> However, many people view "witch" as gender neutral instead of specific to women.<ref>[https://getbewitched.tumblr.com/post/622284433430609920/are-you-still-a-witch-if Are you still a witch if:]</ref><ref>[https://black-raven200.tumblr.com/post/622866451403063296/the-term-witch-is-gender-neutral-pass-it-on The term “witch” is gender neutral, pass it on]</ref><ref>[https://ravenhexxx.tumblr.com/post/190956765857 A witch is a witch regardless of gender]</ref>

===Descriptions===

* '''Attractive.''' Gender neutral term equally applicable to "handsome" or "beautiful" individuals. Implies the speaker experiences some form of attraction, so might not be suitable for people who are [[aromantic]] or [[asexual]].
* '''Good-looking.''' Standard gender neutral term.
* '''Gorgeous.''' Gender neutral alternative to "handsome" or "beautiful," but tends to be feminine.
* '''Youthful.''' Gender neutral alternative to "boyish" or perhaps "girlish," but tends to be masculine.
*'''Dapper.''' Gender neutral alternative to "handsome" or "beautiful," but tends to be masculine.
*'''Charming.''' Gender neutral alternative to "handsome" or "beautiful," but tends to be masculine.
*'''Snazzy.''' Gender neutral alternative to "handsome" or "beautiful," tends to be a more playful term.

===Deity titles===

* '''Absolute Being.''' Standard term for a monotheistic deity, without implied gender.
* '''Almighty.''' Standard term for a monotheistic deity, without implied gender.
* '''Creator.''' Standard term for a deity who created the world and/or humankind.
* '''Deity.''' Standard gender neutral term for a god or goddess.
* '''Divine, the.''' Common gender neutral term for a deity or supernatural forces.
* '''Divine being.''' Common gender neutral term for a deity or supernatural entity.
* '''God.''' Standard gender neutral term for a god or goddess, but tends to be presumed male.
* '''Goddex.''' "Queer, based on the God/dess ending."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Goddette.''' "Queer, based on the God/ess ending."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Goddeq.''' "Queer, based on the God/ess ending."<ref name="titles queeries" />
* '''Heavens, the'''. Common gender neutral term for a deity, deities, or supernatural forces.
* '''Higher Power'''. Standard gender neutral term for a deity, deities, or supernatural forces.
* '''Liege.''' Neutral equivalent of lord or lady.
* '''Powers that be.''' Common gender neutral term for a god, goddess, or similar supernatural beings or forces.
* '''Ruler.''' Neutral equivalent of lord or lady.
* '''Sovereign.''' Neutral equivalent of lord or lady.
* '''Wild Divine, the.''' New Age name for God, Goddess, or primal supernatural forces.

===Other terms===

* '''Fanenby.''' Queer, using enby after fanboy or fangirl.<ref name="titles queeries" />
*'''Fanby'''
* '''Fankid.''' Neutral, after fanboy or fangirl.
* '''Fanchild.''' Neutral. Similar to fankid.
* '''Wedding usher.''' Neutral, alternative to bridesmaid or groomsman.
* '''Fellowship of the Rings.''' Neutral alternative to a party of nonbinary Wedding Ushers.

==See also==
* [[Gender neutral language]]
* [[Glossary of English gender and sex terminology]]

==External links==
* "Gender neutral/queer titles." ''Gender Queeries.'' [http://genderqueeries.tumblr.com/titles http://genderqueeries.tumblr.com/titles]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Gender neutral language]]

Woman

2021-04-18T15:01:55Z

2601:743:200:6AB:ED5D:F340:54C5:9BAC: /* Nonbinary women */Removed broken link to “stone”

{{Content warning|oppression, rape, reclaimed slurs}}
Anyone with a female gender identity is female: she is a [[woman]] or girl. Women are a very diverse group, and many assumptions about the definitive characteristics of womanhood are not held in common by all women. Having the ability or desire to give birth are not what makes someone a woman, because many women and girls can't or don't want do that, due to health conditions, age, or personal choice. Looking like a woman in other people's judgment does not make someone a woman, because others can misjudge that, and there are women who look masculine, and other people who look feminine, whether by choice or by nature. Only identifying as a woman makes someone a woman. Any woman's womanhood is valid no matter what kind of body parts she has, or what gender she was [[assigned gender at birth|assigned at birth]]. Cisgender women, transgender women, and [[intersex]] women are equally women. Because gender isn't the same thing as [[sexual orientation]], women are still women whether they feel sexual attraction to men (heterosexual), or to women ([[lesbian]]), or to people of any gender ([[bisexual]] or [[pansexual]]), or none ([[asexual]]).

In the Western colonialist [[gender binary]] system, "woman" is considered to be one of the only two genders that exist, one of the [[binary gender]]s. For all of written history, cultures all over the world have acknowledged people who were gender-variant or who transitioned to a different gender role than the one assigned to them at birth. Ancient cultures that thought of there being a specific number of genders did not always say there were just two. In ancient Egyptian writings, [[Gender-variant identities worldwide#Sekhet|woman was one of three genders]], and in classical Jewish literature, [[Gender-variant identities worldwide#The six genders in classical Judaism|woman was one of six genders]]. The gender binary is an artificial and relatively new concept to humanity. Gender is not inherently binary. Therefore, "woman" is not inherently a binary gender. Rather, "woman" is one of many genders that people have. Throughout [[history of nonbinary gender|the history of the world]], there have been many people who do not identify with being only female or male, who are therefore [[nonbinary]]. There are also people who identify partly as a woman, and yet do not feel they completely fit into that category, so they call themselves nonbinary women. Although the gender binary system is coercive and limiting, "woman" is a valid identity. Womanhood can be better understood as an identity in its own right, rather than as an opposite pole in a binary system.<ref name="labelle">Sophie Labelle. ''Assigned Male'' (political comic). February 6, 2019. https://assignedmale.tumblr.com/post/182605182667</ref>

== Etymology and terminology ==
The spelling of "woman" in English has progressed over the past millennium from ''wīfmann''<ref>"wīfmann": Bosworth & Toller, ''Anglo-Saxon Dictionary'' (Oxford, 1898–1921) p. 1219. The spelling "wifman" also occurs: C.T. Onions, ''Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology'' (Oxford, 1966) p. 1011</ref> to ''wīmmann'' to ''wumman'', and finally, the modern spelling ''woman''.<ref>''Webster's New World Dictionary, Second College Edition'', entry for "woman".</ref> In Old English, ''wīfmann'' meant "female human", whereas ''wēr'' meant "male human". ''Mann'' or ''monn'' had a gender-neutral meaning of "human", corresponding to Modern English "person" or "someone"; however, subsequent to the Norman Conquest, ''man'' began to be used more in reference to "male human", and by the late 13th century had begun to eclipse usage of the older term ''wēr''.<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=man man] – definition Dictionary.reference.com</ref> The medial labial consonants f and m in ''wīfmann'' coalesced into the modern form "woman", while the initial element ''wīf'', which meant "female", underwent semantic narrowing to the sense of a married woman ("wife").

It is a popular misconception that the term "woman" is etymologically connected to "womb".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Stanton|first1=Elizabeth Cady|title=The Woman's Bible: A Classic Feminist Perspective|date=2002|pages=21–22|publisher=Dover Publications|location=Mineola, New York|isbn=978-0486424910|url=https://books.google.com/?id=hiTpfBGwNR0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=isbn:9780486424910#v=onepage&q=womb-man&f=false|chapter=The Book of Genesis, Chapter II|quote=Next comes the naming of the mother of the race. "She shall be called Woman," in the ancient form of the word Womb-man. She was man and more than man because of her maternity.}} (Originally published in two volumes, 1895 and 1898, by The European Publishing Company.)</ref> "Womb" derives from the Old English word ''wamb'' meaning "belly, bowels, heart, uterus"<ref name=OED>{{cite web|title=womb (n.)|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/womb|website=Online Etymology Dictionary|accessdate=29 August 2019}}</ref> (modern German retains the colloquial term "wamme" from Old High German ''wamba'' for "belly, paunch, lap").<ref name=Starostin>{{cite web|author=S. Starostin|url=http://starling.rinet.ru/cgi-bin/response.cgi?single=1&basename=/data/ie/germet&text_number=%20562|title=Germanic etymology|website=The Tower of Babel}}</ref><ref name=Kluge>{{cite book|last1=Kluge|first1=Friedrich|title=An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language|date=1891|page=384 |publisher=George Bell & Sons|location=London|url=https://archive.org/details/etymologicaldict |archiveurl=https://archive.org/details/etymologicaldict00kluguoft/page/384|archivedate=November 1, 2007|quote=Translated by John Francis Davis, D.Litl, M.A.}}</ref>

The word ''girl'' originally meant "young person of either sex" in English;<ref>Used in Middle English from c. 1300, meaning 'a child of either sex, a young person'. Its derivation is uncertain, perhaps from an Old English word which has not survived: another theory is that it developed from Old English 'gyrela', meaning 'dress, apparel': or was a diminutive form of a borrowing from another West Germanic Language. (Middle Low German has Gör, Göre, meaning 'girl or small child'.) "girl, n.". OED Online. September 2013. Oxford University Press. 13 September 2013</ref> it was only around the beginning of the 16th century that it came to mean specifically a ''female'' child.<ref>By late 14th century a distinction was arising between female children, often called 'gay girls' – and male, or 'knave girls' -: a1375 William of Palerne (1867) l. 816 ' Whan þe gaye gerles were in-to þe gardin come, Faire floures þei founde.' ('When the gay girls came into the garden, Fair flowers they found.') By the 16th century, the unsupported word had begun to mean specifically a female: 1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. x. sig. D, 'The boy thy husbande, and thou the gyrle his wyfe.' The usage meaning 'child of either sex' survived much longer in Irish English. "girl, n.". OED Online. September 2013. Oxford University Press. 13 September 2013</ref> The term ''girl'' is sometimes used colloquially to refer to a young or unmarried woman; however, during the early 1970s, feminists challenged such use because the use of the word to refer to a fully grown woman may cause offence. In particular, previously common terms such as ''office girl'' are no longer widely used. Conversely, in certain cultures which link family honor with female virginity, the word ''girl'' (or its equivalent in other languages) is still used to refer to a never-married woman; in this sense it is used in a fashion roughly analogous to the more-or-less obsolete English ''maid'' or ''maiden''.

There are various words used to refer to the quality of being a woman. The term "womanhood" merely means the state of being a woman. "[[Femininity]]" is used to refer to a set of typical female qualities associated with a certain attitude to [[gender role]]s; "womanliness" is like "femininity", but is usually associated with a different view of gender roles. "Distaff" is an archaic adjective derived from women's conventional role as a spinner, now used only as a deliberate archaism.

== Symbol ==

[[File:Venus symbol.svg|thumb|200px|The Venus symbol or female [[gender symbols|gender symbol]].]]

The glyph (♀) for the planet and Roman goddess Venus, or Aphrodite in Greek, is the symbol used in biology, geneaology, and some [[Public restrooms|restroom signs]] for female.<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Fadu|editor1-first=Jose A.|title=Encyclopedia of Theory & Practice in Psychotherapy & Counseling|date=2014|publisher=LuLu Press|page=337|isbn=978-1312078369}}</ref><ref name=Stearn1962>{{cite journal|author=Stearn, William T.|title=The Origin of the Male and Female Symbols of Biology|url=https://iapt-taxon.org/historic/Congress/IBC_1964/male_fem.pdf|journal=[[Taxon (journal)|Taxon]]|date=May 1962|volume=11|issue=4|pages=109–113|doi=10.2307/1217734|issn=0040-0262|accessdate=19 July 2019|jstor=1217734|author-link=William T. Stearn}}</ref><ref name=Schott2005>{{cite journal|last1=Schott|first1=GD|title=Sex symbols ancient and modern: their origins and iconography on the pedigree|url=https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/331/7531/1509.full.pdf|journal=[[The BMJ]]|date=December 2005|volume=331|issue=7531|pages=1509–10|doi=10.1136/bmj.331.7531.1509|pmid=16373733|pmc=1322246|issn=0959-8138|accessdate=19 July 2019}}</ref> In ancient alchemy, the Venus symbol stood for copper, and was associated with femininity.<ref name=Schott2005 />

This comes from a set of symbols that were first used to denote the effective sex of plants (i.e. sex of individual in a given crossbreed, since most plants are hermaphroditic) by naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1751.<ref name= Stearn>{{cite journal|last=Stearn|first=William T.|s2cid=87030547|title=The Origin of the Male and Female Symbols of Biology|journal=Taxon|date=May 1962 |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=109–113 |jstor=1217734 |doi=10.2307/1217734 |quote= The origin of these symbols has long been of interest to scholars. Probably none now accepts the interpretation of Scaliger that {{char|♂}} represents the shield and spear of Mars and {{char|♀}} Venus's looking glass.}}</ref> The male and female symbols are still used in scientific publications to indicate the sex of an individual, for example of a patient.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Zhigang |first=Zhigang |date=25 September 2009 |title=A HIV-1 heterosexual transmission chain in Guangzhou, China: a molecular epidemiological study |journal=Virology Journal |publisher=BioMed Central |volume=6 |issue=148 |pages=Figure 1 |doi=10.1186/1743-422X-6-148 |pmid=19778458 |pmc=2761389 |quote=(Mars male gender symbol) indicates male; (female Venus gender symbol) indicates female|display-authors=etal}}</ref> Joseph Justus Scaliger speculated that the male symbol is associated with the Mars, god of war because it resembles a shield and spear; and that the female symbol is associated with Venus, goddess of beauty because it resembles a bronze mirror with a handle.<ref>{{Citation|last=Taylor|first=Robert B.|chapter=Now and Future Tales|date=2016 |pages=293–310 |publisher=Springer International Publishing |isbn=978-3-319-29053-9 |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-29055-3_12 |title=White Coat Tales}}</ref> Later scholars dismiss this as fanciful,<ref name=Stearn />The visual equivalent of a backronym, preferring "the conclusion of the French classical scholar Claude de Saumaise (Salmasius, 1588-1683) that these symbols [...] are derived from contractions in Greek script of the Greek names of the planets".<ref name=Stearn />''Thouros'' (Mars) was abbreviated as θρ, and ''Phosphoros'' (Venus) by Φ, in handwriting.<ref>H W Renkema, ''Oorsprong, beteekenis en toepassing van de in de botanie gebuikelijke teekens ter aanduiding van het geslacht en den levensduur'', in: Jeswiet J, ed., ''Gedenkboek J Valckenier Suringar. Wageningen: Nederlandsche Dendrologische Vereeniging'', 1942: 96-108.</ref><ref name=Stearn />

{{Clear}}

== Cisgender women ==
Cisgender women are women who were assigned female at birth (or were born with certain [[intersex]] conditions), and who have a female gender identity. [[Cisgender]] (from Latin ''cis'' "same side of" + "gender", this word was "coined in 1995 by a transsexual man named Carl Buijs"<ref>Julia Serano, "Whipping Girl FAQ on cissexual, cisgender, and cis privilege." 2009-05-14. [http://juliaserano.blogspot.com/2011/08/whipping-girl-faq-on-cissexual.html]</ref>) means "not transgender," as they don't [[transition]] to female from some other gender.

A few of the physical characteristics of a cisgender woman often include:
* A uterus, ovaries, and vagina, unless if she was born without one or another of them (agenesis), or had them taken out (hysterectomy, oophorectomy, or vaginectomy, respectively) to treat or prevent disease
* The ability to give birth, unless if sterile, or without some of the anatomy listed above, or past childbearing years
* Breasts (a secondary sexual characteristic), unless if they never developed, or they had them removed (mastectomy) to treat or prevent breast cancer
* Has a hormone balance with estrogen higher than testosterone, and the presence of progesterone
* Chromosomes that are XX (textbook example), XY (androgen insensitivity syndrome), XXX (triple X syndrome), XXXX, X (Turner syndrome), or others. People rarely take a test to find out what these are, unless if they think it might explain another physical challenge.
It is possible for a cisgender woman to have a body with few of the above physical characteristics that are usually used to describe a typical cisgender female body. For example, cisgender women who have had hysterectomies and mastectomies to survive cancer are nonetheless real women, as much as they ever were. Furthermore, having the above characteristics do not make someone a cisgender woman. For example, some people who were assigned female at birth but identify as a different gender have these characteristics. Some people with intersex conditions have these physical characteristics, but don't consider themselves cisgender women. Some do.

The ability to give birth creates a physical vulnerability that is exploited by [[patriarchy]]. Patriarchy began as a system based around the control of the part of the population who generally can give birth, by the part that generally can't. Women and people who can give birth are not completely synonymous groups. (There are infertile women, fertile trans men, and so on.) Still, these two groups have the most overlap. Patriarchy means that, as a group, men control women. They exert this control in every part of society, through the systems that are built into that society. Some of the many forms of how patriarchy controls, oppresses, and abuses women include:
* Violence. Patriarchy tells women that they need a man close to them at all times, if for no other reason than to protect them from violence from other men. However, domestic violence is a very common cause of women's deaths.
* The idea of rape as normal (rape culture). Rape culture includes the idea that women are the ones who should take responsibility for preventing themselves from being raped (victim blaming), and defending rapists as not responsible for their actions, without educating men to not rape. Rape is specifically a significant part of the oppression of cisgender women due to the risk of unwanted pregnancy. Much of patriarchy is based around this.
* The idea of women as being less human (dehumanization). Dehumanization of women means that society assumes that women's minds are more like animals' minds (sometimes said in ways that seem positive, like "intuitive" or "closer to nature"), and are thought to be less able to do what men's can do, and therefore won't let women have educations, work most kinds of jobs, or drive. Without these things, it's difficult for women to free themselves from oppression.
* Ownership of women. Patriarchy often makes cisgender women have the legal status not of people, but of possessions (chattel) owned by men (their husbands or fathers). As chattel, women have no say in what happens to their bodies, can legally own no possessions, and can't vote.
All of these things oppress women. The system of patriarchy maintains itself by making it difficult for women to get the power to challenge or escape the oppression.

[[Feminism]] is [[activism]] against patriarchy, and it begins with activism to give women the legal status of people. The outward signs of that legal status are the right to choose what happens to their own bodies (legal access to birth control), the right to own property, the right to vote (suffrage), and the right to work. These can only be done by those who are legally recognized as persons. Feminism is a movement that can make equal rights for people of all genders by liberating them all from patriarchy, but feminism has its main focus on fulfilling the needs of cisgender women, because patriarchy has its main focus on oppressing them.

== Transgender women ==

Transgender women are women who were assigned male at birth (or had certain intersex conditions), and who have a female gender identity. Like any women, they usually use [[Pronouns#She|"she" pronouns]], and their sexual orientation can be lesbian, heterosexual, or otherwise. This is the male-to-female transgender spectrum. Older psychological and medical writings wrongly call trans women "male transsexuals" or "male transvestites", and call them by unwanted "he" pronouns. Trans women are women, not feminine men or [[sexual orientation|gay]] men.

Many transgender women [[transition]] to address [[gender dysphoria]], and some also consider themselves to be transsexual women. Any transgender person's transition path is very individual. Common features in a transgender woman's transition path include [[hormone therapy]] to create a balance with estrogen higher than testosterone, and a wide variety of kinds of [[surgery]] to choose from.

Patriarchy oppresses and devalues all forms of womanhood and femininity, not only of cisgender women, but also of trans women, called [[transmisogyny]]. Julia Serano coined this word for her trans-feminist book, ''Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity'' (2007). Patriarchy sees trans women as a threat that could undermine its power and rigidity. One feature of a trans-misogynistic culture is that by far, the most kinds of hate speech and slurs used against trans people are those used specifically against trans women. Violence against and murder of trans people also, by far, most commonly targets trans women, especially trans women of colour. The [[Transgender Day of Remembrance]] gives a memorial to the many trans people who are murdered each year around the world. These are nearly all trans women of colour.

In the transgender community, "[[gatekeeper]]" is slang for the system of health providers that decide whether to allow a transgender person to get gender-validating health care.<ref>"Trans, genderqueer, and queer terms glossary." [http://lgbt.wisc.edu/documents/Trans_and_queer_glossary.pdf]</ref> Medical gatekeepers, as well as the serious risks of living in trans-misogynistic culture, both put pressure on trans women to conform to society's behavioral and physical ideals for feminine cisgender women. One form of this pressure is that gatekeepers told trans women not to interact with other trans women outside of gender centers, saying that this would invalidate their womanhood. Keeping trans women isolated from one another in this way made it so that trans women couldn't organize among themselves to do activism for their own rights.<ref>fakecisgirl, "The Misery Pimps: The People Who Impede Trans Liberation." October 7, 2013. ''Fake Cis Girl'' (personal blog). [https://fakecisgirl.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/the-misery-pimps-the-people-who-impede-trans-liberation/ https://fakecisgirl.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/the-misery-pimps-the-people-who-impede-trans-liberation/]</ref>

Some cultures that recognize(d) male-to-female spectrum gender roles include the Ethiopian Maale people ([[gender-variant identities worldwide#ashtime|Ashtime]]), the Madagascaran Sakalava ([[gender-variant identities worldwide#sekrata|Sekrata]]), the Lakota ([[gender-variant identities worldwide##winkte|Winkte]]), the Navajo ([[gender-variant identities worldwide#Nadleehi and Dilbaa|Nadleehi]]), the Zapotec ([[gender-variant identities worldwide#Muxe|Muxe]]), many south Asian countries ([[Hijra]]), Oman ([[gender-variant identities worldwide#Xanith|Xanith]]), Nepal ([[gender-variant identities worldwide#Metis|Metis]]), Turkey ([[gender-variant identities worldwide#Köçek|Köçek]]), Italy ([[gender-variant identities worldwide#Femminello|Femminello]]) Myanmar ([[gender-variant identities worldwide#Acault|Acault]]), Samoa ([[Fa'afafine]]), Maori ([[gender-variant identities worldwide#Whakawahine and Wakatane|Whakawahine]]), much of ancient Europe ([[gender-variant identities worldwide#Gallae|Gallae]]), and [[gender-variant identities worldwide|many others]]. Historically, these male-to-female spectrum roles have been made of some people who were analogous to modern, Western ideas of trans women, as well as some people who are not so analogous to that, such as feminine gay men, or nonbinary people who were AMAB.

== Nonbinary women ==
Some people identify as nonbinary and as a binary gender such as woman. They may see themselves as almost but not quite fitting into the category of womanhood, feel an association with being a woman or femininity, or not mind being seen as women. Depending on how the individual defines their identity, they may consider themself to be nonbinary women if they also consider themself to be partly female ([[demigirl]]), [[femme]], a gender nonconforming queer masculine woman ([[butch]]), someone who only wants to be in the active role of sex without being touched (stone), androgynous, having a gender identity that often changes ([[genderfluid]]), having more than one gender ([[bigender]]), having a form of womanhood that is itself queer ([[genderqueer]]), or other kinds of identities.

In the 2019 Gender Census, 1,416 of the respondents (12.6%) identified as a woman or girl, even as many of them also identified as nonbinary.<ref name="2019 Gender Census">"Gender Census 2019 - the worldwide TL;DR." ''Gender Census.'' March 31, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2020. https://gendercensus.com/post/183843963445/gender-census-2019-the-worldwide-tldr Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20200118084451/https://gendercensus.com/post/183843963445/gender-census-2019-the-worldwide-tldr</ref>

=== Notable nonbinary women ===

[[File:Rebecca Sugar Peabody Awards.jpg|thumb|[[Rebecca Sugar]], a writer and animation artist who is a nonbinary woman, at the Peabody Awards in 2019.]]

Some notable people who identify as nonbinary who also use female, girl, or woman in the description of their gender identity include:

* Musician and performance artist [[Arca]] ([[she/her]] and [[it/its]],<ref name="Fallon">{{Cite web |title=Arca Is the Artist of the Decade |last=Fallon |first=Patric |work=Vice |date=8 November 2019 |access-date=30 June 2020 |url= https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/evj9k4/arca-is-the-artist-of-the-decade}}</ref> b. 1989) - nonbinary trans woman<ref name="Moen">{{Cite web |title=Arca: Embracing the Flux |last=Moen |first=Matt |work=PAPER |date=7 April 2020 |access-date=30 June 2020 |url= https://www.papermag.com/arca-transformation-2645630264.html}}</ref>

* Playwright and rap artist [[Dev Blair]] ([[they/them]] or [[she/her]],<ref>https://devblair.com/about</ref> b. 1996) - nonbinary [[femme]] / nonbinary trans girl<ref>https://www.instagram.com/dev_blair/</ref>

* Romance author [[Chelsea M. Cameron]] ([[she/her]] and [[they/them]]<ref>https://twitter.com/chel_c_cam</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/chelccam/</ref>) - demigirl<ref>{{cite tweet|author=Chelsea M. Cameron|user=chel_c_cam|number=862141410627256320|title=I've been: bisexual, gay, queer, queer/bisexual. I'm also still not super sure about my gender, but for now demigirl is how I identify.|date=May 9, 2017}}</ref>

* American comedian, writer, and nurse [[Kelli Dunham]] describes herself<ref name="story">{{Cite web |title=THE STORY |author= |work=kellidunham.com |date= |access-date=24 July 2020 |url= http://www.kellidunham.com/the-story/}}</ref> as a [[genderqueer]] woman<ref name="Wood">{{Cite web |title=Q&A: Comedian Kelli Dunham on Storytelling as a Radical, Transformative Act |last=Wood |first=Erin |work=Ms. Magazine |date=15 May 2017 |access-date=3 June 2020 |url= https://msmagazine.com/2017/05/15/qa-comedian-kelli-dunham-storytelling-radicaltransformative-act/}}</ref>/[[nonbinary]] [[transmasc]] [[butch]].<ref name="Guerrero">{{Cite web |title=Genderqueer Comic Kelli Dunham On Getting (Thee) Away From a Nunnery |last=Guerrero |first=Desirée |work=The Advocate |date=21 April 2020 |access-date=3 June 2020 |url= https://www.advocate.com/comedy/2020/4/21/genderqueer-comic-kelli-dunham-getting-thee-away-nunnery}}</ref>

* Visual artist and musician [[Florian-Ayala Fauna]] ([[she/her]]<ref name="Fauna_About">{{Cite web |title=About |author=Florian-Ayala Fauna |work=florian-93.com |date= |access-date=14 November 2020 |url= https://www.florian-93.com/about}}</ref>) - [[androgyne]], partially woman<ref name="Faunatweet">{{cite tweet|user=bloodfawn93|number=963276096430108672|last=Fauna|first=Florian-Ayala|title=Hey I'm Florian - I'm a visual artist, musician, writer, and occult practitioner of a Thelemic/Crowley based nature. #VisibleWomen (woman part is partially true tho, more androgyne and proud to be intersex :3 ) http://florian-93.com https://uncertain.bandcamp.com|date=February 12, 2018}}</ref>

* Singer-songwriter and comedian [[Left at London]] ([[she/her]],<ref>{{cite tweet|user=LeftAtLondon|number=1160275504760360960|date=August 10, 2019|title=IM NON-BINARY. BUT STILL REFER TO ME AS SHE/HER. (UNLESS U REFER TO EVERYBODY AS THEY/THEM. THEN IM FINE WITH THEY THEM PRONOUNS.) LOVE YOU GUYS}}</ref> b. 1996) - nonbinary trans woman<ref>{{cite tweet|user=LeftAtLondon|number=1160277010813349888|date=August 10, 2019|title=Nonbinary trans woman to be specific}}</ref>

* Poet and 1992 US Presidential candidate [[Eileen Myles]] ([[they/them]],<ref name="Wichtel">{{Cite web |title=How Eileen Myles won a battle for personal pronoun plurality |last=Wichtel |first=By Diana |work=Noted |date=30 May 2018 |access-date=15 May 2020 |url= https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/currently-profiles/eileen-myles-won-their-battle-for-personal-pronoun-plurality}}</ref> b. 1949) - [[genderqueer]] [[dyke]]<ref name="gqd">{{cite tweet|title=@DeJesusSaves @rugamarspr plus as a gender queer dyke I am trans|date=February 24, 2016|user=EileenMyles|number=702569073884811264}}</ref>

* Cosmologist and science writer [[Chanda Prescod-Weinstein]] ([[she/her]],<ref>[http://www.cprescodweinstein.com/ Website bio], retrieved May 17, 2020</ref> b. 1982) - [[agender]] woman<ref>[https://twitter.com/IBJIYONGI/ Twitter bio], retrieved May 17, 2020</ref>

* Musician [[King Princess]] ([[she/her]],<ref name="Menuez">{{Cite web |title=King Princess |last=Menuez |first=Bobbi |work=theingenuemagazine.com |date= |access-date=6 May 2020 |url= https://theingenuemagazine.com/king-princess/}}</ref> b. 1998) - [[genderqueer]] person and [[gay]] woman<ref name="Menuez">{{Cite web |title=King Princess |last=Menuez |first=Bobbi |work=theingenuemagazine.com |date= |access-date=6 May 2020 |url= https://theingenuemagazine.com/king-princess/}}</ref>

* Model, actor, and TV presenter [[Ruby Rose]] ([[she/her]],<ref name="Kellaway">{{Cite web |title=WATCH: Australian Model Ruby Rose Comes Out as Gender Fluid |last=Kellaway |first=Mitch |work=The Advocate |date=31 July 2014 |access-date=27 May 2020 |url= https://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2014/07/31/watch-australian-model-ruby-rose-comes-out-gender-fluid}}</ref> b. 1986) - [[genderfluid]] woman<ref name="Gomez">{{Cite web |title=Gender-fluid Ruby Rose opens up about the backlash she's received for identifying as a lesbian |trans-title= |last=Gomez |first=Patrick |work=Entertainment Weekly |date=5 June 2019 |access-date=27 May 2020 |url= https://ew.com/celebrity/paul-lynde-life-legacy/ }}</ref>

* Science fiction author [[Rivers Solomon]] ([[they/them]]) - nonbinary/agender woman<ref>https://www.riverssolomon.com/hireme</ref>

* Activist and actor [[Ianne Fields Stewart]] ([[she/her]], [[they/them]]) - [[transfeminine]] nonbinary woman<ref name="SwiftMar2020">{{Cite web |title=Meet Ianne Fields Stewart: The Activist and Actress Who Is Combatting Food Insecurity In The Black Transgender Community |author=Swift, Jaimee A. |work=Black Women Radicals |date=March 2, 2020 |access-date=November 3, 2020 |url= https://www.blackwomenradicals.com/blog-feed/meet-ianne-fields-stewart-the-activist-and-actress-who-is-combating-food-insecurity-in-the-black-transgender-community}}</ref><ref name="MastersAug2020">{{Cite web |title=This Activist Ensures Black Trans People Don't Go Hungry |last=Masters |first=Jeffrey |work=The Advocate |date=August 4, 2020 |access-date=November 3, 2020 |url= https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2020/7/31/ianne-fields-stewart-okra-project-trans |quote=I am a Black, queer, nonbinary, lesbian woman. }}</ref>

* Writer and animation artist [[Rebecca Sugar]] ([[English neutral pronouns#She|she/her]] or [[singular they|they/them]],<ref>https://twitter.com/rebeccasugar?lang=en</ref> b. 1987) - nonbinary woman<ref name="fink">{{Cite web |title=The Mind Behind America’s Most Empathetic Cartoon |last1=Fink |first1=Kathryn |first2=Paige |last2=Osburn |work=1A |date=9 July 2018 |access-date=15 April 2020 |url= https://the1a.org/segments/2018-07-09-the-mind-behind-americas-most-empathetic-cartoon/ }}</ref><ref name="PulliamMoore">{{Cite web |title=Steven Universe's Rebecca Sugar on How She Expresses Her Identity Through the Non-binary Crystal Gems |last=Pulliam-Moore |first=Charles |work=io9 |date=16 July 2018 |access-date=15 April 2020 |url= https://io9.gizmodo.com/steven-universes-rebecca-sugar-on-how-she-expresses-her-1827624015?IR=T }}</ref>

* Actor and drag performer [[Kate Rose Wilburn]] ([[they/them]]<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/katerosewilburn/ Instagram bio], retrieved 18 June 2020</ref>) - nonbinary transgender woman<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/CBFCyEIgPFJ/ Instagram post], 5 June 2020</ref>

* Musician and TV writer [[Our Lady J]] ([[she/her]]<ref name="INTO">{{Cite web |title=Our Lady J on Gender, Discrimination, & Hollywood Starting to "Get It Right" |author= |work=INTO |date=20 September 2017 |access-date=5 September 2020 |url= https://www.intomore.com/culture/our-lady-j-on-gender-discrimination-hollywood-starting-to-get-it-right/d82839748e024a3c}}</ref>, b. 1978) - [[GNC]] [[genderfluid]] [[trans woman]]<ref name="INTO" />/ woman-aligned nonbinary person<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309001552if_/https://twitter.com/ourladyj/status/1236807149642297345|url=https://twitter.com/ourladyj/status/1236807149642297345|title=Twitter thread by @ourladyj|date=March 8, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Gender binary]]
*[[Binary gender]]
*[[List of nonbinary identities]]
*[[Glossary of English gender and sex terminology]]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Identities]]

Guide for journalists

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{{incomplete}}
Writing about [[Nonbinary gender|nonbinary people]] can be tricky if you're unfamiliar with nonbinary issues. There are some mistakes that different journalists commonly make, so this article aims to address the most frequent.

==What to do==
* '''Ask the person what their [[Pronouns|pronouns]] are''', and if necessary, how to use them. Then ''use the right pronouns'' in the article. If it's not possible to ask someone what their pronouns are, default to "they/them" or avoid pronouns.
* If an article is about something other than their nonbinary gender, '''stick to the subject'''. Don't ramble on about their gender; something short like "Sam, who is nonbinary, said of their amazing scientific achievement..." rather than "Sam came out as nonbinary seven years ago, and their co-workers accept their gender and..."
* '''Consider whether mentioning their gender is even necessary''', by substituting a [[binary genders|binary gender]] to see if it feels awkward. "Sam, who is a woman, said of her amazing scientific achievement..." sounds very awkward, so in that sentence shouldn't include someone's gender; inclusive pronouns are enough.
* '''Assume that mentioning they're transgender is not necessary or relevant.'''

==What not to do==
* '''Do not mention whether someone was "born a boy/girl"''' or similar. It's not relevant, and it's often private information. More importantly, even if everyone knows, this information is protected by law under the Equality Act 2010.
* '''Do not mention the [[deadname|name someone was given at birth]]''' or by their parents. It was chosen before the person was able to articulate their gender and express it accurately. If a person has changed their name, they no longer wish to be known by it; respect that.

==Common cliches==
Avoid where possible!
* Illustration: toilet doors

==External links==
* [http://www.glaad.org/reference/ GLAAD Media Reference Guide], specifically [http://www.glaad.org/reference/transgender GLAAD Media Reference Guide - Transgender Issues]. A guide for journalists on how to talk about transgender issues in general. Useful for some points not covered here.
* {{Cite web |title=Five tips for journalists on covering trans and nonbinary people |last=Wallace |first= Lewis Raven |work=Columbia Journalism Review |date=September 30, 2019 |url= https://www.cjr.org/analysis/trans-nonbinary-subjects-tips.php}}
* {{Cite web |title=The Radical Copyeditor’s Style Guide for Writing About Transgender People |author=Kapitan, Alex |authorlink=Alex Kapitan |work=Radical Copyeditor |date=August 31, 2017 |url= https://radicalcopyeditor.com/2017/08/31/transgender-style-guide/}}
* [https://transjournalists.org/style-guide/ Trans Journalists Association: Style Guide]

[[Category:Visibility]]

Nonbinary gender outside of the transgender community

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{{Stub}}
Communities that may be home to [[nonbinary]] people who do not see themselves as part of the [[transgender]] or [[genderqueer]] communities include:

* [[Intersex]] support groups and activist organisations
* [[Butch]]/[[Femme]]
* Radical faeries
* [[Transvestite]] and [[crossdresser]] communities (those not following mainstream transgender narratives of [[gender identity]] and [[gender dysphoria|dysphoria]])
* The [[eunuch]] and [[castration]] communities
* Extreme body modification
* Kink and fetish communities
* [[Drag]] and cabaret performer communities
* Empowered multiplicity/plurality/median/mid-continuum
* [[Otherkin]]
* Female bodybuilders (''Speculative''. Cited as gender transgressive in [[Leslie Feinberg|Feinberg]]'s Trans Liberation)

Communities and subcultures that are reported to be accepting of nonbinary people (in addition to the above) include:

* The [[queer]] community
* The [[pansexual]] community
* The [[bisexual]] community
* The [[asexual]] community
* the Furry community<ref>{{cite book|quote=And for many furs, Furry is more than a community—it's a family, a welcoming place for people whose furriness (or their autism, or their gender fluidity) made them outcasts among their peers.|title=Furry Nation: The True Story of America's Most Misunderstood Subculture|last=Shrike|first=Joe|year=2017}}</ref>
* Artist communities, particularly performance art
* Goth and similar subcultures
* Certain parts of the [[pagan]] community
* Certain parts of literary science fiction fandom
* Left-wing and anarchist groups
* Some [[feminist]] groups
* People and places relating to being a student, especially student unions.

==References==
{{reflist}}