Genderqueer - meaning and definition
Alsogender queergenderqueer people
Definition
An identity for people whose gender falls outside, between or beyond the categories of woman and man, often with an emphasis on challenging gender norms.
At a glance
- Genderqueer describes a gender outside, between or beyond woman and man.
- It came into wider use in the 1990s, before non-binary became the common umbrella.
- It overlaps heavily with non-binary, and many people use both.
- Some choose it for its sense of politics, community or challenging norms.
- Because queer was once an insult, some people avoid the word.
In detail
Genderqueer came into wider use in the 1990s, before non-binary became the more common umbrella term. The two overlap heavily, and many people use them interchangeably.
Some people prefer genderqueer because the word queer carries a sense of politics, community or deliberate disruption of expectations. Because queer was once used as an insult, a few people avoid it, so it is best to follow each person's own choice of word.
In a sentence
- Alex identifies as genderqueer and likes to mix styles from every section of the shop.
- I started calling myself genderqueer before I had heard the word non-binary.
Where the word comes from
Genderqueer appeared in activist writing in the mid 1990s and spread through queer communities and early online forums before non-binary became the more widely used umbrella term in the 2010s.
Common questions
What is the difference between genderqueer and non-binary?
They overlap a lot and are often used interchangeably. Genderqueer is older and may carry a stronger sense of challenging gender norms, while non-binary is now the more common umbrella. The right word is whichever the person uses for themselves.
Is genderqueer an offensive word?
No, not when used by people about themselves or to respect someone's chosen label. Because queer was once used as an insult, a few people prefer not to use it, so follow each person's own choice.