Genderqueer is a term used to describe individuals whose gender identity falls outside the traditional categories of male and female. Genderqueer folks reject or transcend societal norms and expectations associated with gender, embracing a fluid or non-binary understanding of themselves.

At its core, being genderqueer is about rejecting the notion that gender is strictly binary and recognizing the spectrum of identities that exist beyond the confines of male and female. Genderqueer individuals may experience their gender as fluid, shifting over time or depending on context, or as static, existing outside the binary framework altogether.

Genderqueer individuals express their gender identity in diverse and multifaceted ways. Often they present themselves in a manner that challenges traditional gender norms, incorporating elements of masculinity, femininity, or androgyny into their appearance and expression. They may choose to use gender neutral pronouns such as they/them. The important thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong way to be genderqueer, and it is up to each individual to decide how they want to express their gender. 

Coming out and living as genderqueer often comes with a sense of liberation. After years of repression and fitting into the gender binary due to the expectations of others, expanding beyond the binary and defining one’s own gender for oneself can be healing and empowering. 

But being genderqueer does not come without its challenges. 

We live in a rigidly binary world that resists any force that challenges that binary. Genderqueer folks often go through experiences of family and/or peer rejection, discrimination, isolation, frequent misunderstanding and invalidation, etc. Anyone who has tried to come out as any gender besides the one they were assigned at birth will tell you that it’s not easy, and the issues extend beyond the personal. Many societal institutions, including healthcare, education, and government, are structured around binary understandings of gender, making it difficult for genderqueer individuals to access affirming and inclusive services and resources.

If you are genderqueer or considering a genderqueer identity, know that there is nothing wrong with you, only with the society that you were born into. Expanding beyond the gender binary into who you truly are can be a beautiful and liberating process with the right support. Whether it’s an ally, an LGBTQ organization, or a therapist, make sure that you are not going through it alone.