What Is Genderqueer and Is It Different from Nonbinary?

There is a wide array of gender identities, and it can be difficult to understand the nuances and differences between them. Everyone wants to be respected and celebrated for who they are, and this is especially true and important for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, many of whom are frequently misidentified.

Some terms like transgender people, gay, or lesbian are common enough that many people are aware of what they mean, but there are a few LGBTQIA+ terms that are less discussed and therefore less understood. Two of these terms refer to nonbinary and genderqueer people, and in this article, we will cover the differences between them.

According to leading psychologists, gender identity is one of the three pillars of a person’s core identity, along with sexual orientation and style or behavior. When one of these pillars is violated in some way, when someone is misgendered, for example, it can be very confusing and hurtful for them. Furthermore, any limitation imposed on someone’s gender expression may lead to anxiety and depression and set the path to more severe mental health conditions.

First Things First: What Is Gender?

Before we jump into defining genderqueer individuals and non-binary people, let’s take a step back and talk about what gender means. Historically, Western cultures have held that there are clear gender norms and we only have two genders: male and female. However, gender-neutral people, gender fluid individuals, and genderqueer identity are as old as time, but Western society has dismissed them as anomalies.

These two choices form what is known as the gender binary. This binary not only presents the male and female labels, but also the behavioral assumptions and various stereotypes associated with each gender. Through the lens of these binary gender categories, we are taught to believe things like “only girls can like the color pink,” and “boys should never cry.” These stereotypes are, of course, ridiculous, and boundaries of gender can only hinder society’s growth.

At birth, gender is assigned to a person based on their genitalia. If they then grow up to be someone who identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth, they are cisgender. Many people are cisgender, and many people are not.

Gender is a construct created by humans, and your identity may very well align with that construct. Similarly, if your identity doesn’t align with the binary social constructions of gender, that’s equally valid. A lot of people have gender identities that don’t fit into the traditional gender binary.

Before going forward with the expression of gender and different gender options, it is important to understand that gender and sexual orientation are not the same thing. While gender refers to your identity, sexual orientation refers to who you are attracted to.

What Is Nonbinary?

Nonbinary is a gender identity that is fluid and defined by each nonbinary person differently. Some gender nonconforming people might consider nonbinary to mean that they identify as some parts of both genders. Other nonbinary individuals might consider nonbinary to mean that they identify with neither gender.

What Is Genderqueer?

Genderqueer is similar to gender nonbinary in a lot of ways, and some people use the terms interchangeably. Many people define genderqueer to mean that they don’t identify with one conventional gender stereotype, but rather identify with both, neither, or a unique combination of the genders. The genderqueer umbrella is as large as the complexity of people and includes non-binary individuals.

Much like the term nonbinary, the term genderqueer is unique to the individual who identifies with it. There are people who view genderqueer as the parent or umbrella term for all other gender identities beyond cisgender. Others use genderqueer and nonbinary to mean the same thing.

Difference Between Genderqueer and Nonbinary

Now that we’ve broken down the definitions of both genderqueer and nonbinary, let’s talk about how they’re different and where they overlap.

First, it’s important to remember that gender identity is something deeply personal. The terms people use to describe themselves reflect how they feel about their gender, and that feeling can’t always be captured in a neat little box.

Nonbinary people often define their gender as being outside the traditional gender categories of male or female. Some identify as neither, some as a mix of both, and others as something entirely different. This might include people who identify as agender, genderfluid, or even use words that don’t fall into any specific label at all. Nonbinary is often considered one way to be outside of the gender binary.

On the other hand, genderqueer is an umbrella term that can include nonbinary identities, but it often carries a more political or rebellious tone. Originating in activist circles in the 1990s, identifying as genderqueer was one way people resisted the pressure to conform to gender norms. For some, genderqueer means they want to challenge the whole idea of gender being fixed or binary in the first place. It’s a label that people may use when they’re not just identifying outside the binary, but actively rejecting it.

Is Genderqueer Nonbinary?

In short: Yes, genderqueer is considered a non-binary identity, but that doesn’t mean the terms are always interchangeable.

Think of it this way: nonbinary is a broad category used to refer to anyone whose gender identity doesn’t fit neatly into the two categories of man or woman. So, genderqueer people may also identify as nonbinary, but not all nonbinary people identify as genderqueer.

Genderqueer people may feel their gender is not fixed, or that they don’t identify with any gender at all. Others might feel like they exist outside of the gender binary in a way that’s fluid, shifting, or impossible to define. Some even identify as transgender, while others don’t. In fact, trans people can be binary or nonbinary; it depends entirely on how people identify and what terms mean the most to them.

There are also people who use both labels at once: calling themselves nonbinary and genderqueer, or agender and genderqueer, for example. Others prefer one term over another based on how well it fits their experience. The important thing is to respect the pronouns someone uses and how they choose to define themselves.

As more and more people are identifying as something other than male or female, these conversations help all of us grow in understanding. It also creates space for people who have a gender experience that doesn’t fall into the two categories we were taught in school.

Genderqueer vs Nonbinary and the Gender Spectrum

It’s important to understand that gender is a spectrum and gender diversity should be celebrated. Even if conventional gender norms insist on assigning gender at birth and limit gender categorizations to male and female, there will always be a wide array of people beyond the binary categories. Any and all gender experiences are valid and call for love and support.

Furthermore, the spectrum of gender is continuously evolving, and a person’s gender identity development may be ongoing throughout their life. It is valid and beautiful to identify anywhere on the gender spectrum, including nonbinary, female, genderqueer, transgender, male, gender non-conforming, or any number of other options.

Our beliefs about our gender identities are greatly influenced by our surroundings, including the people we spend time with, the media we consume, and more. When well supported, it is easier to embrace our gender identity, because everyone’s gender identity is real whether it’s embraced or not. As we move through life, our gender experience and gender identity can evolve and transform, and it’s important that we make space for that.

Nonbinary and Genderqueer Pronouns 

From a young age, we are taught that the male and female genders have specific pronouns associated with each of them: he/him/his and she/her/hers. Much like gender identity, however, there is no external metric for pronouns, and a person’s pronouns are completely up to them. You can be an assigned female at birth and identify more with he/his pronouns or gender nonbinary and use they/them.

Some people have strong feelings about their gendered pronouns, and other people don’t care that much. If you are unsure of someone’s pronouns, it is generally okay to ask them, as long as you do so in a respectful manner.

LGBTQIA+ Discrimination Is Still a Problem, but You Can Help

Despite recent advances that have helped normalize the gender spectrum and different gender identities, there is still plenty of discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals. Some of this discrimination comes from a lack of understanding of gender, which is why it’s important to support, advocate for, and respect people of all gender identities. Believe it or not, setting an example of acceptance and support can have a massive impact on combatting this type of discrimination. There are plenty of helpful ways to show your support and foster an inclusive environment, including learning how to use nonbinary pronouns.

Need a Safe Space to Explore Who You Are? I’m Here for You

If you’re exploring your identity or trying to understand people’s gender experiences that fall outside the gender binary, you can count on me to help. As a gender-affirming therapist and LGBTQIA advocate, I help individuals and couples make sense of the nuances around gender norms, whether you’re questioning, transitioning, or supporting someone who identifies as non-binary.

In our work together, we’ll create space to use different words, unpack what you tend to use, and support your mental health along the way. Therapy can be a powerful place for people to learn, heal, and feel seen exactly as they are. Let’s talk!