Genderqueer vs genderfluid (The difference)

In this blog post, we will highlight the differences between genderqueer vs genderfluid.

The two concepts are often considered the same thing, however, they express different aspects of one’s gender identity. 

Genderqueer vs genderfluid

Genderqueer and genderfluid identities can and often overlap with each other, but in essence, they describe different aspects. 

Genderqueer is a gender identity that is built around the term “queer.” To be queer is to exist in a way that does not align with heterosexual or homosexual norms.

Although it is usually used to describe a person’s sexual orientation, it can also be used to express nonbinary gender identity.

Gender fluidity is a gender identity that can change over time and you have the feeling that you do not have a defined gender. Gender fluidity can be completely different from person to person.

For example, it may express masculinity, femininity, or an androgynous personality in sexual experience or self-concept.

Genderqueer

In order to really make sense of what genderqueer means, it is important to remember that gender is not always black and white.

There are two parts to our sexes. Gender identity is the way you identify, whether as a man, a woman, or something else entirely.

Gender expression is the way you express yourself and present yourself in terms of masculinity and femininity.

Although we have often been taught that man and woman are two completely different categories, both gender identity and gender expression exist across a spectrum.

People can identify more closely with being male or female, or they can fall anywhere between the two categories.

Also, a person can identify more with masculine expression, feminine expression, or both.

They can also identify somewhere in the middle, or they can switch between the two on any given day.

People who are genderqueer can also present and express themselves in any number of different ways.

A person who does not need to look androgynous or act in a way that is neither masculine nor feminine to be genderqueer, although they can do so if they feel entitled to them.

It is about how a person understands their own personal gender identity.

People who are genderqueer can only identify as genderqueer and something else.

For example, a person may identify as a trans genderqueer woman or a bigender androgynous genderqueer person.

Transgender people can also identify as genderqueer and vice versa.

Some genderqueer people choose to undergo social, legal, or medical transitions, including taking hormones, changing their name, or having surgery to assert and express themselves in a way congruent with their gender identity.

You can also look up at the celebrities who are genderqueer.

Genderfluid

What does it mean to be genderfluid?

Genderfluid is the term used by individuals to describe their gender. The most common form is non-binary, followed by queer, agender, bigender and more. None of these terms means the same thing.

Gender fluidity is a gender identity that can change over time and you have the feeling that you do not have a defined gender.

Gender fluidity can be completely different from person to person. For example, it may express masculinity, femininity, or an androgynous personality in sexual experience or self-concept.

This can change over the course of a day, week, month or even year. Regardless of the form that gender fluidity takes, it is important to remember that it is a valid gender identity.

Because it generally involves gender changes, different pronunciations are used, depending on the individual’s point of view at that time related to his or her gender identity. 

For example, there are people who use “they” instead of “he” or “she.” However, to avoid an unpleasant situation, it is best to ask the individual how to identify.

Some statistics on the transgender population include fluid gender identities, while others do not.

Other gender identities

The “palette” of sexual orientation has diversified greatly in recent times.

In addition to terms already known and widely discussed, such as heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality, sexual identity has acquired new nuances and definitions.

In order to clarify this topic, the American publication “Huffington Post” explained 10 lesser-known terms, which define sexual and romantic identities, less known at this time: 

Pansexual  – Pansexuals are those people who can fall in love sexually, emotionally and spiritually by anyone, regardless of sexual identity. 

Polysexual – Like pansexual, polysexual can be attracted to anyone, regardless of gender, male or female.

However, for polysexual, sexual identity matters. For example, if a polysexual is attracted to women, he will also be attracted to people who identify as women, such as transgender people. 

Panromantic – A panromantic person is emotionally and spiritually attracted to anyone, regardless of gender or gender identity, but is not sexually attracted to them. 

Skoliosexual –  In the case of skoliosexual, sexual attraction is manifested on people of non-binary sexual identity who do not identify with their natural sex, such as transsexuals.

Asexual  – Asexuals are “people who do not feel sexual attraction” and, most of the time, not even emotionally. According to asexuality.org, they may feel the desire to show affection for a person without having sexual desires. 

Aromatic – An aromatic person feels very little or no romantic attraction to other people.

Aromantic people do not lack the ability to establish emotional or personal connections, but they do not feel the instinctual need to make such connections. This identity is not a choice, but it is innate “, notes asexuality.org. 

Graysexual –  Jared, a man who claims to be graysexual, defines the term as “a bridge between asexuality and sexuality.Graysexuals can also be identified as heterosexual or homosexual or with any other sexual identity.

Although they will feel a physical attraction to other people, they will not necessarily feel the need to have sex. 

Queerplatonic relationships – Queerplatonic relationships are not romantic by nature, but they involve a deeper and more intense emotional connection than in the case of a traditional friendship.

The partners are called, in this case, “zucchini”. 

Demisexual –  A person who defines himself as demisexual does not feel sexual attraction to a person unless he has already established a deep emotional connection with the other, although it is not necessarily about falling in love, so it may not be romantic.

If the connection has an intense romantic character then it is called demiromantic.

Lithromantic –  The term “lithromantic” describes a person who has feelings of love but does not want them to be reciprocal, a type of amorous masochism.

Conclusions

In this blog post, we highlighted the differences between genderqueer vs genderfluid.

The two concepts are often considered the same thing, however, they express different aspects of gender identity.

Genderqueers can identify more closely with being male or female, or they can fall anywhere between the two categories. Also, a person can identify more with masculine expression, feminine expression, or both.

They can also identify somewhere in the middle, or they can switch between the two on any given day.

Gender fluidity can be completely different from person to person. For example, it may express masculinity, femininity, or an androgynous personality in sexual experience or self-concept.

This can change over the course of a day, week, month or even year. 

Regardless of the form that gender fluidity takes, it is important to remember that it is a valid gender identity.

If you have any questions, comments or recommendations, please let us know!

FAQ about genderqueer vs genderfluid

What’s the difference between genderqueer and gender fluid?

The difference between genderqueer and genderfluid is: Genderquers can identify any non-binary gender, while genderfluid people cannot identify to one gender, instead they identify to 2 or more.

Is there a difference between genderqueer and Nonbinary?

Yes, there are some differences between genderqueer and non-binary.

Non-binary tends to be used as more of a catchall for people who do not identify with the binary categories of male and female.

Genderqueer often describes a special experience under this umbrella, which may include the feeling that a person’s sex is fluid.

What does it mean to be gender fluid?

Gender fluidity is a gender identity that can change over time and you have the feeling that you do not have a defined gender.

Gender fluidity can be completely different from person to person.

For example, it may express masculinity, femininity, or an androgynous personality in sexual experience or self-concept.

What is the difference between binary and Nonbinary?

Binary means having two-parts/identities/genders (male and female).

Non- binary tends to be used as more of a catchall for people who do not identify with the binary categories of male and female. 

What is a pansexual person?

A pansexual person, or pansexuality, is sexual attraction or desire, romantic love or emotional attraction to people of all kinds, regardless of gender, nationality, social status or religion.

How many genders are there now?

There are 5 genders now: male, female, hermaphrodite, female pseudohermaphroditism and male pseudohermaphroditism. 

Further reading

Exploring the Dimensions of Human Sexuality, by  Jerrold S. Greenberg

Diversity in Couple and Family Therapy: Ethnicities, Sexualities, and Socioeconomics, by Shalonda Kelly

Identities and Inequalities: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class, Gender, & Sexuality (B&b Sociology) by David Newman 

Just Your Type: Create the Relationship You’ve Always Wanted Using the Secrets of Personality Type, by Paul D. Tieger 

References

Asexuality.org

Apa.org

Genderqueerid.com

nonbinary.wiki/

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!