Xenogender, Explained

PDF download Download Article
A definition, list of types, and more
PDF download Download Article

Gender identity is a person’s internal interpretation of their own gender. In other words, it’s how someone identifies with pronouns or gender expressions. There are many gender identities out there (with plenty still to explore), and one of the most inclusive types is known as xenogender. Xenogender is an umbrella term for when an individual identifies as something other than (or in addition to) a man or woman. They may see their gender as a cat, constellation, or color. Read on for a complete guide to this LGBTQIA+ term.

Xenogenders Definition

Xenogender is a nonbinary gender identity in which a person associates their identity with an animal, plant, or another topic or symbol instead of the traditional genders of “male” and “female.”

Section 1 of 3:

What is xenogender?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Xenogenders-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Xenogenders-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Xenogenders-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Xenogenders-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Xenogender is an umbrella term for individuals who don’t identify as a man or woman. Someone who identifies as xenogender resonates with and associates their gender with plants, animals, and/or other symbols. They don’t always use traditional pronouns like “he” or “she.” [1]
    • Symbol: A 3-striped rainbow with a bold star in the middle.
    • Flag: Pastel rainbow stripes with a 3-striped rainbow and bold star symbol in the middle. Note that each xenogender type can have its own flag and symbol.
    • Pronouns: Xenogender people typically use neopronouns like ze/zi/zirs, ey/em/eirs, xe/xem/xyrs, but this is up to the individual. [2]
    • History: “Xenogender” was first used on Tumblr by user Baaphomett in 2014.
    • Origins: Xeno- means “alien” or “strange.” [3]
    • Short form: “Xip” describes a boy or girl who identifies as xenogender, while “xenan” describes a man or woman.
    • Other classifications: “Xenine” is the adjective of xenogender, while “xenine” or “xenity” is the noun form.
    • Those in the neurodivergent community often associate with xenogenders, but the term isn’t exclusive to that community.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Types of Xenogenders

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Xenogenders-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Xenogenders-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Xenogenders-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Xenogenders-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Being an umbrella term, xenogender describes an overall nonbinary gender identity, whereas specific types of xenogenders detail the individual’s identity and what they identify as or with. Many people create their own xenogender labels, and some even collect and hoard them. Take a look at these examples of xenogenders below. Who knows? You may find yourself resonating with some of them!
    • Abimegender: Identifying with a gender that’s deep and infinite, like space.
    • Aesthetgender: Gender that embodies or identifies with an aesthetic or abstract concept.
    • Aliengender: An identity that feels alien or nonhuman.
    • Astralgender: A gender connected to space or the universe.
    • Astrumgender: Gender that resonates with the stars and constellations.
    • Boggender: A gender identity that can be compared to a swamp, bog, or marsh.
    • Caelgender: A gender that shares characteristics with spaces, stars, and nebulas.
    • Catgender: Identifying your gender as related to cats or felines (note that this is not the same as identifying as a cat).
    • Colorgender: Identifying with certain colors and hues.
    • Contigender: A gender that is constantly changing through space and time.
    • Cosmicgender: A complex and vast gender that relates more to the cosmos than binary gender norms.
    • Cryptogender: A gender that can’t describe or identify itself in human terms.
    • Dryagender: Identifying closely with Greek nymphs and an empty forest.
    • Egogender: A gender based on the self and has no other defining features.
    • Energender: Identifying as a ball of energy that’s rapidly and constantly moving and changing.
    • Ethegender: An ethereal or delicate gender that is unstable and cannot be fully understood.
    • Gendervoid: Identifying as genderless.
    • Mathgender: Genders that are described or conceptualized with mathematical or numerical concepts.
    • Niveigender: A gender that identifies with snow and winter weather.
    • Pryogender: A gender that identifies with fire and extreme happiness.
    • Robogender: Identifying with robots and mechanical movements and routines.
    • Sciencegender: Genders that identify with scientific concepts.
    • Staticgender: A gender that’s fuzzy and indiscernible, like TV static.
    • Witchgender: Identifying with witchcraft and magic.
Section 3 of 3:

Other LGBTQIA+ Terms

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Xenogenders-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Xenogenders-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Xenogenders-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Xenogenders-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Learning LGBTQIA+ terminology and labels can help you resonate with those around you and be more inclusive. Take a look at these common terms to better understand xenogender and the LGBTQIA+ community: [4]
    • Gender identity: How an individual perceives and calls themselves (as male, female, both, or neither).
    • Gender expression: The outward appearance of someone’s gender identity, such as clothing, voice, and body language.
    • Sexual orientation: An emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to other people.
    • Transgender: An umbrella term for those whose gender identity is different from the cultural expectations put on them at birth.
    • Nonbinary: Those who don’t identify as male or female. [5]
    • Cisgender: When a person’s gender identity matches the sex assigned at birth. [6]
    • Genderfluid: When a person’s gender expression or identity changes over time.
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Tuck and Tape
      How to
      Become a Woman: Male to Female Transition
      How to
      Tuck Without Tape
      Make Your Own DIY Boobs on a Budget: 2 Easy Methods
      How to
      Crossdress
      How to
      Pass As a Male (For FTMs)
      How to
      Wear a Bra as a Male Crossdresser or Gender Nonconfirming Person
      How to
      Wear Feminine Clothing as a Trans Woman
      Easy Ways to Look & Act More Feminine as a Guy
      How to
      Safely Bind Your Chest Without a Binder
      How to
      Know if You Are Transgender
      How to
      Make a Binder
      How to
      "Pass" As a Woman
      How to
      Adjust to Being a Boy when You Really Want to Be a Girl
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/03/need-know-xenogender/
      2. ↑ https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/03/need-know-xenogender/
      3. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/e/gender-terms-you-may-not-know/
      4. ↑ https://www.hrc.org/resources/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-terminology-and-definitions
      5. ↑ https://transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-nonbinary-people-how-to-be-respectful-and-supportive
      6. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gender-fluidity-what-it-means-and-why-support-matters-2020120321544

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 4,016 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement