Polygender

Polygender is an umbrella term describing individuals whose gender identity encompasses multiple genders. This experience can range from simultaneous identification with various genders to experiencing shifts between genders over time. It reflects a rejection of the binary gender system and acknowledges the multifaceted and fluid nature of gender identity. Individuals identifying as polygender may feel connected to any number of genders including but not limited to: male, female, non-binary, genderfluid, or others, acknowledging an ability to experience gender in a complex way. The experience can vary greatly from person to person, but it centers around holding multiple gender identities.

Polygender meaning with examples

• As a child, Alex felt drawn to both traditionally masculine and feminine activities, and as they grew older, they identified as polygender. They explained that their sense of self wasn't easily confined to 'boy' or 'girl', but instead, a blend of multiple genders that often changed. Alex uses they/them pronouns, because it feels right when describing all of their genders. Embracing their polygender identity allowed Alex to feel more whole.
• During an interview, Kai, a celebrated artist, described their evolving art as mirroring their own polygender identity. Kai's artwork often incorporates elements of both traditionally masculine and feminine aesthetics, symbolizing their complex relationship with gender. 'My art is a reflection of my truth,' Kai stated, 'and my truth is that I'm not just one thing; I'm a constellation of genders constantly in orbit with each other.' This reflects their polygender self.
• The support group for LGBTQ+ individuals provided a welcoming space for polygender people to share their experiences. Members discussed the challenges of navigating a world structured around binary gender norms and the freedom they found in expressing multiple genders. Sarah, a member, shared, 'Finding community with other polygender people helps me feel less alone, reminding me that my experience, though not widely understood, is valid and real, and that there is no such thing as just one thing!'.
• In their essay exploring gender diversity, the scholar used 'polygender' to describe the characters in a fictional novel whose internal experiences of gender defied easy categorization. The scholar focused on how the characters challenge the traditional narrative and showcase different understandings. By using the term 'polygender,' the scholar highlighted the characters' unique embodiment of multiple gender expressions and how different this concept could be from the real world.