Gender neutral
| Related identities | Neutrois, Agender, and Transneutral |
|---|---|
| Under the umbrella term | Nonbinary |
| Frequency | 0.2% |
Gender neutral aka neutral gender is an identity under the nonbinary and transgender umbrellas. Gender neutral individuals have a neutral gender identity or expression, or identify with the preference for gender neutral language and pronouns. This is similar to and often overlaps with the experience of being agender, genderless, or having no gender identity. Neutrois identity is often described as being a neutral gender identity.
In addition to being a nonbinary identity, "gender neutral" is often used as an adjective to mean "without regard to gender"/"inclusive of any gender"; for example "Alex is a gender neutral name" or "We have a gender neutral restroom".
Etymology[edit | edit source]
In English, the word "neutral" comes from Middle French neutral (compare modern French neutre), from Latin neutralis. In war and disputes, neutral can mean taking no side in a conflict, being nonaligned or unbiased. In color, neutral means gray, or having no obvious color. In physics, neutral can mean having neither a positive nor negative charge. In biology, neutral can mean neuter, having no physical sex. In grammar, it can mean words that are neither masculine nor feminine, also called neuter or epicene. Gender neutral can mean applicable or available to all genders, or not restricted by gender.
Flag[edit | edit source]
There is no universally-accepted flag for the gender neutral identity. Below are some of the proposed flags.
Created in 2016 by deviantArt user enbygsrd.
Created in 2016 by deviantArt user enbygsrd.
Unknown creator.
Symbols[edit | edit source]
These are some symbols that have been used or proposed for neutral gender.
A neutrois or neuter gender symbol, Unicode U+26B2 ⚲
A neutrois or neuter symbol. Based on Venus and Mars symbols, without prongs. Unicode U+26AA ⚪
Notable neutral people[edit | edit source]
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See main article: Notable nonbinary people
There are many more notable people who have a gender identity outside of the binary. The following are only some of those notable people who specifically describe their identities by the name "gender neutral," "neutral gender," "neutral," or an analogous term.
- Miley Cyrus (b. 1992), an American top-charting singer-songwriter, has called themself "a gender-neutral, sexually fluid person".[1]
- Lauren Lubin is a filmmaker, activist and athlete. They are the creator of the documentary "We Exist: Beyond the Binary". They are also the first openly nonbinary marathoner to compete internationally.[2] They are gender neutral.[3]
- Jacob Tobia (b. 1991) is an American LGBT rights activist, writer, producer, television host and actor. In 2019, they published their memoir titled Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story. They are the voice actor for a nonbinary character in the Dreamworks animated series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Double Trouble, who also uses they/them pronouns.[4] They are neutral[5], genderqueer, and gender non-conforming.[6]
- Actor and YouTuber Kaitlyn Alexander is gender neutral.[7]
- Writer and performer Danez Smith is gender neutral.[8][9]
- Musician Joanna Sternberg is gender neutral.[10]
- Drag performer Eureka O'Hara is gender neutral.[11]
Neutral characters in fiction[edit | edit source]
See main article: Nonbinary gender in fiction
There are many more nonbinary characters in fiction who have a gender identity outside of the binary. The following are only some of those characters who are specifically called by the words gender neutral, neutral gender, or neutral, either in their canon, or by their creators.
- In NiGHTS into Dreams the main character "NiGHTS is neutral, and therefore has no gender. The impressions of the character with regards to gender are totally up to the player," according to Takashi Iizuka, the lead designer of the game.[12]
See also[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
- Chroanagram: Gender neutral=Genderless?
- Neutrois Nonsense: On the difference between agender, genderless and neutrois
- A Fine Line: J.M. Cottle talks about Genderless identity
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Norris, John (3 May 2017). "Miley Cyrus Breaks Silence on Rootsy New Music, Fiance Liam Hemsworth & America: 'Unity Is What We Need'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ↑ Heckel, Aimee (4 September 2016). "Lauren Lubin, former CU athlete, subject of documentary". Boulder Daily Camera. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ↑ "First Person | We Run: Non-Binary Inclusion in Sports". PBS.org. 19 October 2015. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ↑ "Jacob Tobia | HuffPost". www.huffpost.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/pg/JacobTobia/about/[Dead link]
- ↑ Why I’m Genderqueer, Professional and Unafraid Archived on 17 July 2023
- ↑ Mardell (2016). "What is gender?". The ABC's of LGBT+.
- ↑ @Danez_Smif (July 13, 2018). "Some white ladies turned the corner behind me saying "there they are" and my gender neutral ass thought they was talking about me" – via Twitter.
- ↑ "'Every poem is political': Danez Smith, the YouTube star shaking up poetry". the Guardian. 28 January 2018. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ↑ Allen, Jim (28 June 2019). "Joanna Sternberg on Pushing Back at a Cisgender Music Industry". artists.spotify.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ↑ @eurekaohara (July 2, 2020). "Gender Neutral, Non- Binary and Proud! I love you all stay strong out there! You're worthy. Also special love to those fighting for the rights of my Black Family And Trans Family. I truly thank you. To The Racists and Bigots hurting people we love, Fuck You! #blm #ablm" – via Twitter.
- ↑ Taylor, Mike (5 December 2007). "Interview: Takashi Iizuka Talks NiGHTS". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
