Gallus Ogdoad is here to to help whether you are an ally looking to understand the difference between genderfluid and non-binary or in the process of self discovery. Let’s start off with their base definitions.
What does it mean to be genderfluid?
An individual who identifies as genderfluid has a gender identity that is not fixed. This is to say they do not have a gender that they identify with most. Being genderfluid has to do with ones gender identity and expression. Not their sexuality.
What does it mean to be non-binary?
The term non-binary is a broad term for gender identities that are neither male nor female. These identities exist outside the gender binary of male and female. Genders under the non-binary umbrella include agender, bigender, genderfluid, genderqueer, two-spirit, demigender, pangender, transfeminine, and transmasculine.
3 assumptions to avoid about non-binary or genderfluid individuals
- You can tell an individual is non-binary or genderfluid by how they dress. This, like knowing someone’s sexuality from looking at them, is simply incorrect. It is best practice to ask. Never assume.
- They/Them pronouns work for every non-binary or genderfluid person. When it comes it pronouns it is important to understand that individuals decide their pronouns on a personal basis. Some prefer she/they or he/they over they/them.
- It is a trend. Falling into this assumption is not a road you want to take. The non-binary and genderfluid genders existed back in 1700 BC. According to Mesopotamian mythology among the earliest written records of humanity, there are references to types of people who are neither male nor female. In south Asia, Hijras were documented as early as 400 BC in the Kama Sutra. Hijras were feminine eunuchs who considered themselves neither male nor female. And lets not forget Two-Spirits which were recognized by thousands of Pre-Colonial Native American cultures and still are to this day.
Gallus Ogdoad