In OtherWise Christian: A Guidebook for Transgender Liberation, I talk briefly about gender-full language and culture around the world. In chapter I mention the landmark 2008 National Transgender Discrimination Survey, which included space for respondents write in their own gender if the predefined categories were not representative (“A Gender Not Listed Here”).

The data from “A Gender Not Listed Here” was analyzed and the results were reported in “A Gender Not Listed Here: Genderqueers, Gender Rebels, and OtherWise in the National Transgender Discrimination Survey” by Jack Harrison, Jaime Grant, and Jody L. Herman, 2012. Full report (PDF). Archived: Harrison-Herman-Grant-AGender-Apr-2012

A relevant quote from the report follows:

In terms of gender identity, 337 Q3GNLs (39 percent) identify wholly or in part as genderqueer. An additional twenty-five respondents wrote in “queer” to Q3, which might be interpreted as “my current gender is queer,” an equivalent of genderqueer. If we read this intent correctly, then an additional 2.9 percent of Q3GNL respondents identify specifically as genderqueer (42 percent of Q3GNLs, 6 percent of the sample).

Other written responses that conceptually align with genderqueer include: both/either/neither/in-between/non-binary (n=82), androgynous or blended (n=70), non-gendered, gender is a performance or gender does not exist (n=23), fluid (n=19), Two-Spirit (n=18), bi-gender, tri-gender or third gender (n=16), genderfuck, rebel, or radical (n=10). Many respondents combined one of these descriptors with queer or genderqueer in their responses, as a way to further describe their genderqueer identity.

Several Q3GNLs claim a genderqueer identity while expressing the belief that they possess no gender. There appears to be no tension for many Q3GNLs between simultaneously identifying as fluidly gendered, multiply gendered, performing gender, or having no gender. Accordingly, the study illuminates rich variation within genderqueer identity and raises questions about identity and impacts of discrimination…

Among Q3GNLs, several respondents wrote in their own unique genders including: birl, Jest me, skaneelog, twidget, neutrois, OtherWise, gendertreyf, trannydyke genderqueer wombat fantastica, Best of Both, and gender blur. These identifiers speak to the creative project of gender identity creation. While much of the data in the study catalogs serious and widespread violations of human rights, this data testifies to resilience, humor, and a spirit of resistance to gender indoctrination and policing among respondents.

Compiled by Mx. Chris Paige in October 2018.

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