There are many different genders and gender identities beyond the binary of man and woman.
Under the umbrella of transgender, the identity ofbigenderdescribes a person who has two distinct gender identities.
What does it mean to be bigender?
A bigender person is a person with two distinct gender identities, which they either experience alternately or simultaneously.
For example, a bigender person could be a man and a woman, or a woman and agender.
A bigender person is also, more specifically, nonbinary.
History of the term.
Through Tumblr, bigender identity gained apride flag, for example.
Lemberg and James-Beth Merritt, the latter of whom wrote a memoir about living life as a bigender person.
Signs you could be bigender.
“You may feel misunderstood, confused, alone.
You may not know the best label to describe your inner experience.”
This could be a sign of being bigender.
You might feel discomfort in your body.
It can be especially difficult if your two gender identities have markedly different expressions.
(That said, not all bigender people experience gender dysphoria!)
You want to express yourself in many ways.
How is bigender related to other sexual and gender identities?
People often confuse bigender with other identities related to sexuality and gender.
Here we lay out the differences between some commonly mixed-up terms.
Bigender vs. genderfluid
There are certainly similarities between being bigender and genderfluid.
A person may even identify as both bigender and genderfluid.
Someone can be nonbinary and not be bigender, however.
They may not see themselves as having two distinct genders, as a bigender person might.
Bigender vs. bisexual
“A lot of people confuse bigender with bisexuality,” says Moore.
Bigender is a gender identity, but bisexuality is asexual orientation.
Gender has to do with whoyouare, whereas sexual orientation has to do with who you’re attracted to.
To be bisexual means to be someone who can experienceromanticand/or sexual attraction to people of more than one gender.
How to support a bigender loved one:
Don’t assume anything.
Respect their right to peace.
(Think “Would you like me tocorrect peoplewhen they misgender you?”
instead of “So, does this mean you’re going to get genital surgery?")
Show respect.
Pay them back the same kindness by not questioning or invalidating their sense of themselves.
“Don’t shame them,” Brito adds.
The support of one’s nearests and dearests is instrumental in fostering a stable and secure life.
Be an ally even when they’re not around.
Don’t let it slide if you hear people making jokes about trans or nonbinary people.
