gender-queer

Someone who does not feel that they fit the societal norms of binary gender, usually identifying as both male and female, neither male nor female, or a separate gender altogether ("other"). Gender-queers are not necessarily transgender or transsexual, but often act or think in a non-stereotypical way regarding their physical gender. Some gender-queers have a rigid idea of what their gender is, while others feel that their gender is fluid, changing from day to day or even from one situation to another. Gender-queers are sometimes drag kings or drag queens, dressing as the opposite biological sex and acting out stereotypical gender behavior as a form of parody. The chosen appearance of gender-queers varies, but in general they choose to maintain an androgynous look. Biologically female gender-queers sometimes wear cologne, have manly or gender-neutral haircuts, and/or bind their breasts in an attempt to present as gender-queer, or as someone who doesn't conform to typical gender behavior. Biologically male gender-queers may or may not wear make-up, dresses or skirts, or otherwise publicly show that they are connected to both their masculine and feminine sides. Gender-queers are usually homosexuals, but not all of them are.

Matt identifies as gender-queer, and would like to be referred to as "zie," (gender-neutral pronoun), rather than "he".

Elsie (traditionally a female's name), a gender-queer, changed her name to Jack (traditionally a man's name) in order to publicly show that she is more than just a female.

by (an anonymous mouse) June 28, 2010

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