genderqueer

or gen·der queer, gen·der-queer

[ jen-der-kweer ]

adjective

1. relating to or having a gender identity that is other than male or female, is a combination of those two genders, or is on a continuum between those two genders:

   She identifies as genderqueer.

2. relating to or having a gender presentation that does not conform to socially defined male or female gender norms.

noun

1. a person whose gender identity is something other than male or female or whose gender presentation does not conform to socially defined male or female gender norms.

Sensitive Note

See gender ¹.

Word History and Origins

Origin of genderqueer¹

First recorded in 1995–2000; gender ¹ + queer (in the slang sense “outside the norm of heterosexuality”)

Example Sentences

One wrote that “it still does not capture my sexual expression as a genderqueer transwoman for whom the labels “same” and “opposite” sex are incoherent.”

From Popular-Science

I thought maybe I’m nonbinary, or genderqueer was really the term at the time, sort of stepping out and seeing how people would respond.

From Ozy

“It’s made me feel closer, more connected, and less alone,” says Ada, a 24-year-old genderqueer lawyer who only gave her first name out of fears for her safety.

From Time

Of those who indicated their gender, 203 identify as women, 109 identify as men, and 11 identify as nonbinary, genderqueer, two-spirit, or gender nonconformist.

From Search Engine Land