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Genderqueer: Difference between revisions
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'''Genderqueer''', also called '''GenderQueer''', '''gender queer''', is an umbrella term covering non-normative [[Gender Identity|gender identity]] and [[Gender Expression|gender expression]]. | '''Genderqueer''', also called '''GenderQueer''', '''gender queer''', is an umbrella term covering non-normative [[Gender Identity|gender identity]] and [[Gender Expression|gender expression]]. | ||
The label may also be used by individuals wishing to identify as holding queer or non-normative gender without being any more specific about the nature of their gender. | The label may also be used by individuals wishing to identify as holding queer or non-normative gender without being any more specific about the nature of their gender. | ||
As an umbrella term, Genderqueer has similar scope to [[ | As an umbrella term, Genderqueer has similar scope to [[nonbinary]] with most nonbinary-identifying individuals also considering themselves genderqueer. However, the terms have different scope and connotations. The word genderqueer was used at least ten years before nonbinary. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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[http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/2003/10/19/riki-wilchins-on-the-tg-spectrum/ Riki Wilchins' essay] from the 2002 anthology ''[[GenderQueer (book)|GenderQueer]]'' describes how the original 'Gender Queers' adopted the label because the intended-to-be-inclusive umbrella term [[transgender]] had begun to be most strongly associated with [[transsexual]], [[Gender Binary|gender binary]] identified and medically [[Transition|transitioning]] people, pushing out those who did not fit this dominant [[Transgender Narrative|transgender narrative]]. | [http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/2003/10/19/riki-wilchins-on-the-tg-spectrum/ Riki Wilchins' essay] from the 2002 anthology ''[[GenderQueer (book)|GenderQueer]]'' describes how the original 'Gender Queers' adopted the label because the intended-to-be-inclusive umbrella term [[transgender]] had begun to be most strongly associated with [[transsexual]], [[Gender Binary|gender binary]] identified and medically [[Transition|transitioning]] people, pushing out those who did not fit this dominant [[Transgender Narrative|transgender narrative]]. | ||
By 1999/2000, online communities such as the [[Sphere mailing list]] were using the term genderqueer as an umbrella to unite a number of [[ | By 1999/2000, online communities such as the [[Sphere mailing list]] were using the term genderqueer as an umbrella to unite a number of [[nonbinary]] gender identities and identifications that are now thought of as under the nonbinary umbrella. Over the next decade, genderqueer developed as a standalone identity with particular (sub)cultural expectations and connotations, while the tendency to identify particular experiences under its umbrella seemed to diminish. However both uses are still visible in different online and in person communities. | ||
==Difference between Genderqueer and | ==Difference between Genderqueer and Nonbinary== | ||
Genderqueer means non-normative or ''queer'' gender while | Genderqueer means non-normative or ''queer'' gender while nonbinary means gender that falls outside the [[gender binary]] model. Both of these terms are extremely similar in scope, however in practice their connotations are significantly different. | ||
Genderqueer comes with the anti-assimilationist political connotations of [[queer]], which is a reclaimed slur word with strong associations with a countercultural sexuality movement that sets itself apart from the mainstream [[LGBT]] community. (Note that the word "queer" is still actively used as a pejorative and hate speech in many regions.) As such genderqueer implies a similar counterculture, setting itself apart from mainstream [[transgender]] discourse. Most genderqueer people also consider themselves to be queer and there is a strong trend of rejecting the gender binary and normative [[gender roles]] with in the Queer Movement as a whole. | Genderqueer comes with the anti-assimilationist political connotations of [[queer]], which is a reclaimed slur word with strong associations with a countercultural sexuality movement that sets itself apart from the mainstream [[LGBT]] community. (Note that the word "queer" is still actively used as a pejorative and hate speech in many regions.) As such genderqueer implies a similar counterculture, setting itself apart from mainstream [[transgender]] discourse. Most genderqueer people also consider themselves to be queer and there is a strong trend of rejecting the gender binary and normative [[gender roles]] with in the Queer Movement as a whole. | ||
By contrast, nonbinary is more politically neutral in its connotations. Nonbinary was coined as a descriptive term, originally simply ' | By contrast, nonbinary is more politically neutral in its connotations. Nonbinary was coined as a descriptive term, originally simply 'nonbinary gender', used to describe the range of experiences that fall outside of the binary gender model. There is no countercultural anti-transgender discourse connotation, nor is there a connotation of association with the wider Queer Movement. Nonbinary is intended to simply cover the widest range of identities and experiences without intending to describe their political or cultural philosophies and affiliations. | ||
===Observed differences between people who hold each identity=== | ===Observed differences between people who hold each identity=== | ||
While genderqueer and | While genderqueer and nonbinary are theoretically extremely similar in their scope as umbrella terms, in practice genderqueer slants more towards those who identify as queering gender while nonbinary tends to attract those who hold specific [[trans*]] or [[transgender]] identities that fall outside of the gender binary. | ||
Genderqueer-identified people seem to be more likely to hold [[binary gender]] identities (eg, 'Genderqueer Woman') while considering their [[gender expression]] or [[gender performance]] to be queer or non-normative, while | Genderqueer-identified people seem to be more likely to hold [[binary gender]] identities (eg, 'Genderqueer Woman') while considering their [[gender expression]] or [[gender performance]] to be queer or non-normative, while nonbinary-identified people are more likely to consider their [[gender identity]] (or lack of gender identity) to fall outside of the binary. Genderqueer-identified people seem to be more likely to consider themselves to be queer or a member of the queer community. | ||
Nonbinary-identified people generally seem more comfortable with considering themselves transgender and more likely to use the language of [[gender dysphoria]]. The adoption of the term 'nonbinary' by parts of the genderqueer community may reflect a trend of adopting the language of the transgender rights movement in order to make use of and expand on the legal protections now afforded to transgender people in some localities. Nonbinary-identified people may be more likely to be seeking access to transgender medical care or legal recognition (aka [[transition]]). | |||
Some | Some nonbinary people reject the term genderqueer as an umbrella term because they are offended to be associated with queer sexuality, or still see queer as an offensive slur word. | ||
Despite these trends and connotations, both terms are used by some members of each group and so may be considered as wide inclusive umbrella terms. Some genderqueer-identified people have sought 'transition', some nonbinary-identified people hold binary gender identities and consider themselves to be nonbinary by gender expression, and it is currently common for nonbinary-identified individuals to also identify as genderqueer (especially as this term predates nonbinary by at least a decade). | Despite these trends and connotations, both terms are used by some members of each group and so may be considered as wide inclusive umbrella terms. Some genderqueer-identified people have sought 'transition', some nonbinary-identified people hold binary gender identities and consider themselves to be nonbinary by gender expression, and it is currently common for nonbinary-identified individuals to also identify as genderqueer (especially as this term predates nonbinary by at least a decade). | ||