Meet GenZ’s #GenderDead
How does it feel to be a part of the most-self-aware generation there ever was? When it comes down to the things that we like there always seems to be a label for it, or one in development. There’s a variety of experiences people have had that caused them to question whether they fit into the definition of man or woman (cis-gendered). We are the generation calling for the freedom of expression, and the freedom to self-identify.
Non-binary relates to being a person who doesn’t identify as nor express a gender identity that is male nor entirely female. Being non-binary is not letting the high fashion community tell you that six inch shorts above the knee is the trend for what female fashion is and having to succumb to it. Someone who identifies as non-binary can identify with the feelings of someone who is the gender that doesn’t fall within the contracts of the binary that was set by the society. They are not females, they are not males. They acknowledge a wide range of experiences. A lot of non-binary people like the freedom and range, like being able to choose hair length without it defining their masculinity or femininity.
What’s a demi girl? Some of you might think WTF is that? It’s a gender identity with someone partially identifying as a woman or a girl but not fully filling a typical gender or non-binary identity. It’s common for demi girls to use they/them pronouns while others might refer to themselves as being trans and non-binary while others do not. This is not the same as being gender fluid or being born a particular gender. There’s also demi boy / demi guy which represent more masculinity than femininity. Demi sexual people might experience sexual attraction intensely but only with people that are close to them.
Similarly, gray sexual people –– and I’m not talking 50 shades –– might find that when they do experience sexual attraction, it isn’t necessarily with people they have a close emotional bond with. Aceflux, a less well-known term, is when a person’s sexuality fluctuates between asexual and allosexual or two or more orientations on the asexual spectrum. This is sometimes known as a spec (short for spectrum) micro-label, which is very specialized because not many of my friends have heard of it. It’s an inclusive umbrella term for the many different ways people express attraction beyond gender.
M-spec, short for multisexual spectrum, includes people who use words for themselves such as bi, pan, omni, fluid, flexible, curious, etc, as well as some people who don’t use labels at all. Many people combine labels, use different labels in different situations, are most comfortable influx between labels, or gradually shift labels over time. Trixic or orbisian is a diamoric orientation that refers to non-binary people who are attracted to women. Trixic or orbisian may or may not be attracted to other genders as well and if one is exclusively attracted to women one may also identify as feminamoric.
If you’re familiar with the LGBTQ+ alphabet then you know there are a lot of terms to juggle when it comes to sexual orientation and gender identity. Gender identity is related to, but not equivalent with, sexual attraction and focuses on the inner perception of self as related to or separate from male or female. These are not always visible to others and as your gender is assigned at birth many people grow up feeling labeled by society in ways that don’t reflect who they are. The best way for brands attempting to connect with this audience in such a complex and evolving space, is to engage with and champion those who identify as non-traditional gender identities. Resources for brands to learn more and find out who to partner with could be the LGBTQIA Wiki or searching non-confirming gender term hashtags on Instagram like #aceflux and #genderdead. Allowing us to speak for ourselves is the best way to avoid misgendering, and ensure your brand intention is received.
The Takeaway
Even just a short exploration of gender identity, micro-labels showcases the incredible complex nuance around gender fluidity. Labels run the gamut such as demi girl, graysexual, aceflux, demiromantic, bare gender, trixie, xenogender, and even gender dead. My friends and I, who are in the LGBTQ+ community, don’t even know and understand every label out there. To truly understand and create products from a place of knowledge, the best (and only) option is to work directly with the community itself and ensure any brand decisions made are in collaboration with the full spectrum of non-gender conforming Gen Z.