Genderfluid

Disclaimer: People can experience identities in different ways. As such, people can identify with a label without exactly matching the definition because identities are fluid.

Genderfluid (also spelled gender-fluid or gender fluid) is a term used by people who experience a fluctuating gender over time. The timeframe for these changes can greatly vary, so they can be mere moments, daily, weekly, monthly, or only occasionally. Genderfluid only refers to a person's gender, so genderfluid people can be any sexuality or romantic orientation. Genderfluid people can use any pronouns they like or no pronouns, since pronouns don't equate gender. Some genderfluid people stick with multiple sets of pronouns, while others change their pronouns depending on how they are currently feeling. Genderfluid people can present in any way they like; they do not have to present in a way that aligns with their current gender(s) to be genderfluid.

Genderfluid people can feel like multiple genders at once, only one gender, or no gender. Some genderfluid people only switch between certain genders, others switch between combinations of multiple genders to having no gender, while others experience a combination of the two. Some genderfluid people also identify as nonbinary, transgender, and/or multigender while others only use genderfluid to define their gender identity.

The following quote is from an anonymous student at Lehigh University, who is genderfluid:

“Genderfluidity has helped me learn to love myself. Through my teens, I constantly flip flopped between genders and labels. It frustrated me having to pick something when both nothing felt like me and everything felt like me. When I discovered that it was okay to be fluid in gender — that it was okay to float between labels instead of forcing myself to be just one thing — I felt free. It's given me a community where I can be proud to be myself, no matter how my mind or body wants to present everyday.”

The genderfluid pride flag was created by JJ Poole (Lostinthoughtspaceandfantasies on Tumblr) in 2012.

Each color of the genderfluid flag has its own meaning:

• Pink: femininity
• White: lack of gender
• Purple: combination of masculinity and femininity, degrees of androgyny
• Black: all other genders
• Blue: masculinity

Some sources swap the white and black stripe meanings. Either way, the genderfluid flag is meant to represent the fluidity of the identity.

• Gay Times' "What I wish people knew about being genderfluid" shares the author's personal story of being genderfluid and how some of their friends have been supportive.
• Rainbow & Co's "A Short Guide to Genderfluid Identity" describes genderfluidity, including common misconceptions and examples from different cultures that have fluid genders. It also provides a few links to some resources.
• AVEN's "Starter Tips For Newly Discovered Genderfluid People" is a forum with different people sharing their experiences of being genderfluid and offering tips for how to go about presenting one's current gender, pronouns, coming out, etc.

Sources:

• The Gender Fandom Wiki's "Genderfluid" page
• The Nonbinary Wiki's "Genderfluid" page
• Wikipedia's "Gender fluidity" page

Images:

• "Genderfluid flag" by JJ Pole., McLennonSon, and GarethPW, public domain