Gender Fluid or Gender Fluidity

The translation of the words ‘genderfluid’ or ‘gender fluidity’ is really not appropriate. It means something like “liquid sex”. In fact, the point is that people cannot be simply divided into men and women. There are many variations between men and women. Genderfluid is a term that refers to people who do not feel fully male or female. You feel more or less feminine or masculine. And it can vary from day to day.

A non-binary person is not familiar with a male or female “binary” box. Non-binary is actually a term, used for all genders outside the male/female dichotomy. For example, some nonbinary people identify themselves as genderqueer, a gender, or genderfluid. Some nonbinary people call themselves transgender.
Non-binary people often use a different form of address than their own. Many non-binary people use them and their as a form of address. There are many different forms of addresses used by non-binary people. If you don’t know how someone wants to be dealt with, you can always ask.

Expression

Gender expression refers to the way you express your gender experience: what roles do you take on in daily life? What clothes do you wear? How do you behave towards others? Gender expression is what the outside world sees of you, as opposed to gender identity which is invisible and takes place inside.

Identity

Gender is a social construction and refers to the cultural, social and psychological interpretation of femininity and masculinity within a society. It includes all expectations, values and norms that we associate with a particular gender. This interpretation is highly context- and time-dependent.

attraction

Being romantically and/or sexually attracted to other people is called sexual/romantic preference or sexual/romantic orientation. A distinction is often made between LGB (gay, lesbian, bi) and straight, but there are many more expressions of a person's sexual orientation. Think of pansexuality, asexuality, and so on.

Sex

The sex is determined at birth. It is often based solely on what doctors observe visually at birth, and is recorded as such on the birth certificate. Doctors use standards about what a body should look like in order to register a newborn as a boy or girl. Usually people think that there are only two options: a male or female birth gender – and this is legally registered as well.

What is Gender fluid?

Being gendered yourself can be confusing. Confused about what I am or what I want to be. For example, you were born male, but there are days when you feel more or less like a woman. Then you might get the idea that you should always feel like a man or a woman because that is normal in society. Sometimes you have to contend with people around you who don’t respond well. Of course, you just choose how you feel. And it doesn’t matter if that can change from day to day. But it is understandable that you have to find your way in it.

Overall, this quest can lead to a lot of tension and stress. Is this your case? Then I encourage you to share these concerns with someone. No matter how difficult it is, it’s good to talk about what’s going on in your head.

Discover your gender

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Expression

Gender expression refers to the way you express your gender experience: what roles do you take on in daily life? What clothes do you wear? How do you behave towards others? Gender expression is what the outside world sees of you, as opposed to gender identity which is invisible and takes place inside.

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Identity

Gender is a social construction and refers to the cultural, social and psychological interpretation of femininity and masculinity within a society. It includes all expectations, values and norms that we associate with a particular gender. This interpretation is highly context- and time-dependent.

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Attraction

Being romantically and/or sexually attracted to other people is called sexual/romantic preference or sexual/romantic orientation. A distinction is often made between LGB (gay, lesbian, bi) and straight, but there are many more expressions of a person’s sexual orientation. Think of pansexuality, asexuality, and so on.

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Sex

The sex is determined at birth. It is often based solely on what doctors observe visually at birth, and is recorded as such on the birth certificate. Doctors use standards about what a body should look like in order to register a newborn as a boy or girl. Usually people think that there are only two options: a male or female birth gender – and this is legally registered as well.

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Variations

Scientific research shows that gender has many more variations. Sex is after all not only determined by external sexual characteristics (the so-called ‘phenotypic’ sex). The gonadal sex (the sex based on the gonads present) is also important, as is the genetic sex (presence of X and/or Y chromosomes).

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Discover

Gender is something everyone thinks they understand, but for most it’s complicated. Gender is not binary, it is not either/or. Often it is and/and. A little bit of this and a little bit of that. People are often hesitant to ask questions about sexuality and gender in surveys. What if I say the wrong thing or use the wrong terminology?

Gender identity

The term ‘gender identity’ (also called ‘psychic identity’) refers to the inner gender experience of feeling man/boy, woman/girl, alternately or (neither) both. Gender identities are usually divided into two large groups: cisgender and transgender.

Expression
Identity
attraction
Sex

Have you ever questioned your gender identity?

As gender diversity becomes more visible, individuals have room to explore their gender experience. Cissexism and biases often challenge our preconceived notions. Realizing things can be different can be overwhelming, yet liberating. Gender exploration has no right or wrong feelings. We can question and rediscover gender at any age. It's a lifelong process of self-discovery. Gender is fluid and changes over time. There's no definitive guide or solution. Deliberate self-reflection reveals formative experiences and biases. Thinking allows space for discovery.

Some questions to consider