Article
Gender Variance
Gender variance refers to behaviors, expressions, or identities that do not conform to societal expectations of male or female gender roles. This includes a wide range of identities and presentations, such as non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, bigender, and culturally specific third-gender roles.
Key Concepts
- Gender variance challenges the binary model of gender and highlights the diversity of gender experiences.
- Gender-variant people may or may not seek medical transition.
- Gender variance is not the same as sexual orientation; people of any orientation can be gender-variant.
Cultural and Historical Context
- Many cultures have recognized gender-variant roles, such as Two-Spirit (North America), Hijra (South Asia), and Fa'afafine (Samoa).
- Western societies have historically pathologized gender variance, but attitudes are changing with increased visibility and legal recognition.