What is gender identity?
At 72gender.com, we explore the concept of gender identity and provide information about the 72 recognized genders beyond just male and female. Each gender is explained in detail, offering insights into its meaning and how it fits within the broader spectrum of gender diversity.
Gender identity refers to how a person experiences and defines their own gender. It may align with or differ from the sex assigned at birth and is not limited by anatomy or genetics. Everyone’s gender identity is personal, valid, and deserves respect.
Whether you’re curious, questioning, or looking to support others, our platform offers a clear and respectful overview of the 72 gender identities and what they represent.
How It Works
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.
Gender expression is an important aspect of gender identity that refers to the ways in which individuals present themselves to the world through clothing, hairstyles, and behavior. It is not necessarily linked to a person’s sex assigned at birth and may include a range of masculine, feminine, or non-binary expressions. By embracing and celebrating diverse gender expressions, we can create a more inclusive and accepting world for everyone. If you’re looking to explore your own gender expression, consider trying out different styles and experimenting with your presentation to find what feels authentic to you. Remember to seek support from trusted friends and professionals, and don’t be afraid to embrace your true self!
Gender identity in cisgender persons
In cisgender persons, the gender identity and the assigned birth sex correspond. For example, you are born with female sex characteristics and you also feel like a girl/woman; or you are born with male sex characteristics and you also feel like a boy/man.
Being cisgender is the prevailing norm and creates a false assumption that everyone’s gender identity corresponds to their assigned birth sex. The cisgender norm (also called ‘cisnormativity’) assumes that there are only two gender identities: on the one hand, men, on the other hand, women. This is called ‘a dual or gender-binary view’ and is at odds with the existence of gender diversity. After all, there is a great variety of gender identities and the way in which people identify themselves.
Gender identity in transgender people
It is also possible that the gender identity and the assigned birth gender are more or less in conflict with each other, or simply do not (completely) coincide. A wide diversity is possible in the gender experience of being a boy or/or girl, man or/or woman. However, it is important to know that this is not an abnormality or disease, but a normal variation of being human.
The term “transgender” therefore covers a diverse population consisting of people with a binary gender identity, including trans men and trans women, as well as people with a non-binary gender identity, including non-binary people.
Expression
Identity
attraction
Sex
Variations in Sex Characteristics
These aspects are possible in various combinations. These variations on the known binary classification (M/F) are referred to as “variations in sex characteristics” (“variations in sex characterisitics”). One speaks of variations in sex characteristics when a person’s physical sex characteristics do not fully fit within the norms set by the medical world and/or within the prevailing socio-cultural view of gender.
How common are variations in sex characteristics?
Prevalence is difficult to determine because not all variations are (immediately) visible, and because there is little international consensus about which variations should be counted.
According to the Intersex Society of North America (ISNA), in 1 in 1,500 to 1 in 2,000 births, an expert on gender differences is consulted because the external genitalia are unclear. But there are many more people who are born with more subtle forms of gender variations, some of which are not even apparent until much later in life. In the groundbreaking article “How Sexually Dimorphic Are We? Review and Synthesis” by Blackless et al. (2000) provides an overview of the estimated numbers.
Because not all variations in sex characteristics present the same physical challenges or are even identified, the estimated figure even rises to 1.7% of the population. The chance of a variation in sexual characteristics would then be about as frequent as the chance of having red hair. In short, the exact number of intersex people is not known, but estimates range from 57,000 Belgians and 85,000 Dutch to slightly more than double.
Discover your gender
Identity, expression, attraction and sex
Gender is something many people assume they understand, yet for most, it is far more complex. Gender is not binary and not limited to an either/or framework. For many individuals, gender exists as an and/and experience—a combination of identities, feelings, and expressions that can change over time.
Exploring your gender can raise questions, doubts, and uncertainty. Many people hesitate to talk about gender or sexuality, especially in surveys or conversations, out of fear of saying the wrong thing, using incorrect terminology, or unintentionally offending someone. These concerns are completely understandable.
Creating space for curiosity, learning, and respectful dialogue is essential. Asking questions and taking time to explore gender helps build understanding—not only of yourself, but of others as well. There is no single right way to experience or define gender, and exploration is a valid and meaningful part of many people’s journeys.
Have You Ever Questioned Your Gender Identity?
As awareness of gender diversity continues to grow, more people feel safe and supported in exploring their gender identity. This process can sometimes feel confusing or unsettling, especially when long-held beliefs shaped by society and cissexism are challenged. However, questioning your gender is not a problem—it is a natural and valid part of self-discovery.
Gender exploration can happen at any stage of life. Whether you are young or older, there is no timeline, no pressure, and no single “right” way to feel. Gender is deeply personal, often fluid, and may evolve over time. Taking space to reflect can lead to greater self-understanding, meaningful insight, and a stronger connection to who you truly are.