A person who identifies as "genderqueer" is someone who does not identify exclusively with either male or female. Genderqueer people may identify as non-binary, agender, bigender, pangender, or genderfluid, among others. This means that they do not necessarily conform to traditional gender roles and expectations. Instead, they may express themselves through a mix of masculine, feminine, and neutral characteristics. Some people choose to dress and present themselves according to their own personal preferences rather than societal norms. Others may dress androgynously or even outside of binary genders altogether. While some transgender people may be comfortable with their assigned gender at birth, many genderqueer individuals find it uncomfortable and limiting. They may feel pressure from society to conform to certain expectations about how they should look and act based on their sex assigned at birth. In addition, cisgender people sometimes have difficulty understanding what being genderqueer means. Many people see gender as a binary system where one must be either a man or a woman. However, this is not always the case for genderqueer individuals. For them, gender identity is much more fluid and individualized. It can change over time and be expressed in various ways. Some people who are genderqueer choose to use pronouns like ze/hir/hirs, xe/xem/xyrs, or they/them/theirs instead of she/her/hers or he/him/his. These pronouns allow individuals to express themselves without restrictive gender labels attached to them.
The term "genderqueer" has been used since the 1980s by members of the LGBTQ+ community. It was originally coined as an umbrella term encompassing those who did not identify as exclusively male or female but also included those who identified as transgender. Today, however, the term is often used to refer specifically to non-binary identities. Genderqueer people come from all walks of life and backgrounds. Some identify as queer, while others do not. Their relationships can range from romantic to platonic to sexual. While there is no single way to be genderqueer, there are some common characteristics that many share. They may feel uncomfortable with traditional gender roles and expectations. They may also experience dysphoria when their physical body does not match their internal sense of self. As such, they may seek hormone therapy or surgery to better align their bodies with their gender identity.
As society becomes more open to diverse expressions of gender, the number of genderqueer individuals has increased. In the United States alone, approximately 25% of millennials now identify as genderqueer or outside of binary genders. This trend is likely due to the growing awareness of the spectrum of gender identities available. However, it is still important for cisgender people to respect the choices of genderqueer individuals. This means using the correct pronouns and not assuming their gender based on their appearance. It also means recognizing the importance of inclusive language in everyday conversation and acknowledging the existence of gender fluidity beyond the binary system. By doing so, we can create a world where everyone feels free to express themselves authentically without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.