When researching everything and anything there is to find about gender identity, you might come across the term ‘the Trans Umbrella’. The Trans Umbrella is a metaphorical concept that encompasses the diversity that is gender identity and expression. But what actually is this umbrella? Keep reading to find out more about this wonderful concept.

What is the Trans Umbrella?

The Trans Umbrella serves as a symbol of inclusivity and support for individuals who identify as transgender. But also for those who identify as non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, and more. Essentially, the Trans Umbrella refers to any person whose gender identity or expression doesn’t align with the gender they were assigned at birth, and whose gender differs from the cisgender standards of society (cisgender means that you identify as the gender you were assigned at birth). The umbrella recognizes that not everyone fits into society's rigid definitions of gender. It emphasizes the importance of respecting and affirming people's self-identified gender identities, regardless of whether they conform to societal norms. In essence, the Trans Umbrella encourages understanding, acceptance, and celebration of gender diversity in all its forms. Below you can see a version of the umbrella: 

As you can see, the identities non-binary, transman/woman and crossdressing all fall underneath the umbrella, as they are all different iterations of being transgender. The non-binary identity can then be divided into an umbrella of its own, containing a range of fluid identities such as genderfluid, polygender, or genderqueer. Not all people who identify as non-binary identify as transgender, which is why this umbrella is shown halfway underneath the Trans Umbrella, and halfway outside of it. Even though we present to you a visual of the Trans Umbrella, it can be entirely possible to not identify yourself with what you see in the image. That’s the beauty of the Trans Umbrella: you can identify whichever way you want! Before we continue, it’s important to point out a common misconception that exists about gender identity. Sometimes, the concepts of sexuality and gender identity get mixed up, but they are two separate things. Gender identity says something about the gender you identify as, and doesn’t say anything about who you’re attracted to. Sexuality means who you’re attracted to romantically, emotionally or physically. It’s about who you want to be in relationships with. Now let’s take a closer look at the gender identities and expressions that can be found underneath the umbrella. 

Trans Man/Woman: 

This term refers to people who were either born as a man and identify as a woman, or who were born as a woman and identify as a man. People who identify themselves this way often transition socially and/or medically. A transwoman is someone who was assigned the gender ‘male’ at birth (AMAB), but who transitions to a woman. A transman is someone who was assigned the gender ‘female’ at birth (AFAB), and who transitions to a man. 

Crossdressing:

People who crossdress temporarily put themselves into a gender expression that doesn’t (completely) align with their assigned gender at birth. For example, a person who was assigned male at birth, and who identifies as a man most of the time, can enjoy wearing dresses in the moments they feel more aligned with a feminine gender expression. 

Click here if you want to read more about Transgender.

 

Non-binary

The non-binary identity is an umbrella in and of itself, as it contains a range of identities that fall in-between or outside of the binary. Some people who identify as non-binary or one of its subcategories identify as transgender, some don’t: both are completely fine! The iterations within the non-binary gender expression are close to endless, since being non-binary can be different from person to person. It’s also completely possible to identify as more than one of the terms shown in the image. For example, you can be trans, non-binary, pangender and genderfluid all at the same time. Click here if you want to read more about what Non-Binary means.

A common misconception about the non-binary gender expression is that it means the person feels they are exactly in between ‘man’ and ‘woman’. While some people might identify that way, there are also a lot of people who don’t feel like that! It can mean you fall on the spectrum anywhere between ‘man’ and ‘woman’, or that you don’t adhere to this binary altogether. Let’s take a look at some common expressions within the non-binary umbrella: 

Non-binary

Non-binary refers to individuals whose gender identity does not adhere to the traditional binary categories of male or female. Non-binary individuals may experience their gender as a mix of both genders, as neither gender, or as something entirely different. They may use various pronouns, such as they/them, or neopronouns such as xe/xem, and may express their gender identity in diverse ways.

Genderqueer 

Genderqueer is a term used to describe individuals whose gender identity does not conform to traditional binary notions of male or female. Instead, they may identify as a combination of both genders, as neither gender, or as a different gender entirely. Genderqueer people may experience their gender identity as fluid, meaning it can change over time, or as static, meaning it remains constant. Some genderqueer individuals may use gender-neutral pronouns like "they/them" or neopronouns like "ze/zir." This gender identity has a lot of similarities to the non-binary expression, and at times they are interchanged. There are slight differences in nuance however. The identity genderqueer sometimes has a slightly more political connotation, although this opinion also differs from person to person. 

Agender

Agender is a term used to describe individuals who do not identify with any gender. They may feel a lack of connection to the concepts of male or female entirely, experiencing themselves as genderless or without a gender identity. Agender individuals may also describe themselves as gender-neutral, genderless, or non-binary.

Genderfluid 

Genderfluid is a term used to describe individuals whose gender identity can change over time or in different contexts. Unlike people who have a fixed gender identity, genderfluid individuals may experience fluctuations in their gender identity, feeling more masculine, feminine, or genderless at different points in time. For genderfluid individuals, their gender identity may vary from day to day, week to week, or even hour to hour. This fluidity can be influenced by a variety of factors, including mood, social environment, and personal experiences. Some genderfluid people may use different pronouns depending on their current gender expression.

Transmasc

Transmasc is a term used to describe individuals who identify as both non-binary and masculine. Transmasc is short for "transmasculine," which refers to individuals assigned female at birth but who identify with masculinity. This can include individuals who are transitioning, have transitioned, or may not desire to medically transition but still identify as masculine. It describes individuals who identify outside the traditional gender binary and align more closely with masculinity, regardless of their assigned sex at birth.

Transfemme

Transfemme is a term used to describe individuals who were assigned male at birth but identify with femininity. Femme is a term often used within LGBTQAI+ communities to describe someone who presents themselves in a traditionally feminine manner or who embraces aspects of femininity. It's important to note that femininity itself is diverse and can manifest in various ways, including appearance, behavior, and self-expression.

Polygender

Polygender is a term used to describe individuals who identify with multiple genders simultaneously. These genders may be binary (such as male and female) or non-binary (such as agender, genderqueer, or genderfluid), or a combination of both. Polygender individuals may experience their gender identity as fluid, meaning it can change over time, or as static, meaning it remains constant. Essentially, polygender individuals may feel that they embody more than one gender identity at the same time or that their gender identity shifts between multiple genders. This term emphasizes the complexity and diversity of gender experiences beyond the traditional binary understanding of male and female.

Pangender

Pangender is a term used to describe individuals who identify with all genders. Unlike polygender individuals, who may identify with multiple specific genders, pangender individuals perceive themselves as encompassing or embodying all genders simultaneously. For pangender individuals, their gender identity encompasses the full spectrum of gender diversity, including binary genders (male and female) as well as non-binary genders (such as agender, genderqueer, genderfluid, etc.). This term reflects a deep sense of connection with the breadth and diversity of gender experiences.

Bigender

Bigender is a term used to describe individuals who identify with two distinct gender identities. These identities could be binary (male and female), non-binary (such as genderqueer or agender), or a combination of both.For bigender individuals, their experience of gender involves shifting between or simultaneously embodying two different gender identities. This may occur at different times or in different contexts, and the intensity or balance between the two genders can vary from person to person.

Demigender

Demigender is a term used to describe individuals whose gender identity is partially but not fully aligned with one particular gender. A demigender person may feel a strong connection to a specific gender identity, while also experiencing another aspect of their gender identity as incomplete or not fully defined. For example, someone who identifies as demigender may feel predominantly connected to being male or female but may also feel that their gender identity is partially outside of that binary or that it encompasses elements of another gender identity, such as being non-binary or genderqueer.

 

Androgynous

Androgynous is a term used to describe a gender expression that combines both masculine and feminine characteristics or qualities. Individuals who present themselves in an androgynous manner may intentionally blur or transcend traditional gender norms and expectations, often resulting in a gender presentation that is ambiguous or non-conforming.

In terms of physical appearance, someone with an androgynous gender expression may have features that are neither distinctly masculine nor feminine, or they may intentionally adopt clothing, hairstyles, or mannerisms that do not align with societal expectations for their assigned sex at birth.

 

Intersex

The last concept we’d like to explain isn’t found under the trans umbrella, but we felt it’s still important to highlight as its part of the gender spectrum: intersex. Intersex is a term used to describe individuals born with variations in sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. These variations can include differences in chromosomes, hormones, reproductive organs, or genitalia. Intersex variations are natural and occur in a diverse range of ways. People who are intersex may identify as male, female, both, neither, or as another gender entirely. Sometimes intersex characteristics can be visible on the body, but other times you can’t see it. This is why people often don’t realize they are intersex!  

Always keep in mind that it’s completely okay to not have your mind made up about your own gender identity and expression, and that you may not feel like any of the terms described here. That’s the beauty of gender: you can bend and shape it completely to your own wishes! If you came here looking for some extra information about your own identity or that of someone close to you, we hope that this has shed some light on the subject. If you’re still in need of some more information, don’t hesitate to contact us.