Beyond Binary: Embrace the Gender Spectrum

Gender is associated with the sense of who you are or what you feel internally. It is a socially used term but can’t be defined on the binary lines of being called as either “man” or “woman”.

Sex encompasses biological and physiological attributes, including one's genitals, hormones, and chromosomes. Having chromosomes XY defines one as Male and XX as Female. There is a sex called Intersex, where an individual has the characteristics of both female and male. "How many fingers are there in a person's hand?” The common response to this query is ten. However, there exist a few individuals with eleven fingers, but they are rare and unique. Similarly, intersex individuals do exist but they are relatively uncommon but special.

While interacting with someone, it is essential to inquire about their preferred pronouns or use the neutral "they, them" or don’t address anybody with specific pronouns, if uncertain. Failing to do so is considered disrespectful and it is ethically unacceptable to misgender someone. Likewise, when engaging in any form of communication, whether formal or informal, it is advisable to include your gender identity by using appropriate pronouns such as (she/her/hers or he/him/his or non-binary). It is crucial to ensure that no gender is disregarded or made to feel inferior due to gender bias.

Now, the question arises: if gender is not limited to just the binary, how many gender identities exist precisely? Providing a definitive answer to this question is challenging because it is not feasible to assign a specific number to gender identities. The concept of gender is continuously evolving with the population's awareness and understanding, making it a fluid and diverse spectrum. The core idea is to understand each and every gender and accept it the way it is without forming an opinion that may or may not be acceptable to the person concerned. Using incorrect connotations when addressing a person can be offensive to them, much like consistently mispronouncing someone's name even after they have corrected it.

Let’s get an understanding of some commonly used gender identities:

1. Agender: An agender individual does not experience a sense of personal identification with any specific gender, or they may completely lack a gender identity.

Alternate terms used to describe this includes:

• Neutral gender

• Null-gender

• Genderless

• Neutrois

2. Bigender: A bigender individual display both masculine and feminine features.

3. Androgyne: An androgynous individual characterized by ambiguity, neither clearly masculine nor feminine. Those who identifies as androgyne face a gender that encompasses aspects of both masculinity and femininity or falls somewhere in between the two.

4. Cisgender: A cisgender individual acknowledges and aligns their gender identity with the biological sex that was assigned when they were born.

5. Demi gender: A demi boy is an individual who recognizes themselves as being partly male or female. They might experience a sense of not wholly aligning with traditional male or female identities, perceiving themselves as a blend of both genders. Some demi gender may opt for hormone therapy or surgery to bring their physical appearance in line with their gender identity, but this isn't a universal choice.

6. Genderfluid: A gender-fluid individual experience changes in their gender identity over time, and they may also feel like a combination of different genders. Their identification with a particular gender can vary depending on the context or situation. For instance, they might feel more aligned with the male gender in one scenario, but in another, they might lean more towards identifying as female. Instead, gender fluidity refers to shifts in gender identity and presentation that may go beyond society's conventional expectations of gender roles.

7. Genderqueer: Genderqueer is a label used to describe individuals with non-binary gender identities. These individuals may perceive themselves as not strictly male or female, or they might view their personality as a blend of both genders. Many genderqueer people prefer to use gender-neutral pronouns like "them/they."

8. Gender Outlaw: A gender outlaw is someone who rejects society's categorization of "male" or "female" and refuses to let these conventional definitions confine their identity.

9. Transgender: This is a broad term that includes individuals whose gender identification differs from the sex assigned to them at birth. A trans man is someone who was designated female at birth but identifies as a man. On the other hand, trans women are individuals who were assigned male at birth but identify as women. Trans men or trans women may or may not undergo medical procedures or take medications to align their physical appearance with their gender identity.

10. Polygender: Polygender is a gender identity where individuals experience multiple genders simultaneously or at different times. Polygender people may perceive themselves as a blend of two or more genders, notice changes in their gender over time, or even feel that they lack a fixed gender altogether.

11. Māhū: A Māhū is an individual from Hawaii who may have male genital at birth but identifies as female. They are known to embrace women's outlook and may assume feminine roles within their community. In ancient Hawaiian culture, Māhūs were respected as custodians of wisdom and talented in the arts.

12. Lhamana: An individual from the Zuni tribe in North America, particularly western New Mexico, who is designated male at birth but later adopts a female identity is known as a Lhamana. Within Zuni culture, the Lhamana is acknowledged as a distinct third gender.

13. Two-Spirit: Two-Spirit is a broad term used in Indigenous Native American communities to include various sexualities and genders. Two-spirit people are those who have the spirit of both male and female. This perspective interprets gender non-conformity through a spiritual lens, viewing the individual as possessing a spirit that transcends conventional gender norms.

14. Omnigender: An individual who identifies as omnigender embraces and encompasses all genders.

15. Butch: Women, particularly lesbians, often employ the term “Butch” to depict how they manifest masculinity, as perceived by society. Nonetheless, according to the LGBTQIA+ Resource Center, "butch" can also function as a standalone gender identity.

As society progresses, it also evolves in its comprehension and acceptance of the changing landscape of gender identities. This underscores the significance of treating all individuals with uniform respect and inclusivity, regardless of their unique gender identities. Embracing and celebrating this diversity can lead to a more compassionate and equitable world where everyone can thrive, free from the constraints of gender bias and stereotypes.