Agender: Meaning, Gender Identity, Pronouns, and Expression

An agender person may feel that words such as man, woman, or even other gender labels do not describe their inner experience. Another person may understand what gender means socially but feel that it does not apply to them personally.

There is no single way to be agender. Some agender people use neutral names, pronouns, or clothing, while others present in masculine, feminine, androgynous, or changing ways.

• She is agender.
• They are an agender person.
• He described his identity as agender.
• The group included agender and nonbinary participants.

It may also be used informally as a noun in phrases such as identify as agender, but referring to someone as an agender person is generally more natural than calling them “an agender.”

The word combines the prefix a-, meaning “without” or “not,” with gender.

Agender is a more specific identity involving no gender, minimal connection to gender, or a neutral relationship to gender.

Many agender people consider themselves nonbinary because their identity falls outside the man–woman binary. However, some do not use nonbinary because they prefer to describe themselves only as agender or do not feel part of a wider gender category.

A nonbinary person may be agender, genderfluid, bigender, demigender, or use another identity.

Gender-neutral means not specifically connected with one gender. It may describe:

• clothing;
• language;
• names;
• bathrooms;
• titles;
• social roles;
• styles of presentation.

An agender person may prefer gender-neutral language, but this is not required. Likewise, a person may use gender-neutral clothing or pronouns without identifying as agender.

Agender describes an internal gender identity.

An agender person may appear:

• androgynous;
• masculine;
• feminine;
• neutral;
• different at different times.

Similarly, an androgynous person may identify as a woman, man, nonbinary person, or another gender. Appearance does not reliably reveal identity.

An agender person generally experiences no gender or a stable lack of connection to gender.

However, some people may move between agender and one or more other gender experiences. They may describe themselves as genderfluid, agender-fluid, or use another personally meaningful label.

Gender vocabulary is flexible because people may experience identity in different ways.

Agender and neutrois may overlap, but they are not always identical:

• Agender often means having no gender.
• Neutrois may mean having a neutral gender.
• Some people use both terms.
• Others strongly prefer one and reject the other.

The person’s own chosen label should be respected.

Common choices include:

• they/them;
• he/him;
• she/her;
• it/its;
• neopronouns;
• more than one pronoun set;
• no pronouns, with the person’s name used instead.

Pronouns do not automatically reveal gender identity. An agender person who uses she/her is still agender, just as one who uses they/them is not required to present androgynously.

The respectful approach is to use the pronouns and name the person provides.

Some may try to reduce gendered signals by choosing:

• neutral clothing;
• an androgynous appearance;
• a gender-neutral name;
• minimal gendered language;
• body modifications or medical care.

Others may enjoy strongly masculine or feminine expression without feeling that it gives them a gender.

Gender expression is outward presentation. Gender identity is the person’s internal experience.

Possible sources of discomfort may include:

• being called a man or woman;
• gendered titles;
• chest or breast development;
• facial or body hair;
• menstruation;
• voice;
• reproductive anatomy;
• being placed in gendered spaces.

Other agender people experience little or no dysphoria and feel comfortable with their bodies.

Dysphoria is not required for an agender identity to be valid.

This may happen when:

• correct pronouns are used;
• someone uses their chosen name;
• clothing feels comfortably neutral;
• gendered assumptions are avoided;
• their body or presentation feels more personally suitable;
• they are included without being forced into a binary category.

Positive identity experiences can be as meaningful as the absence of discomfort.

Possible choices may include:

• changing a name;
• using different pronouns;
• altering clothing or appearance;
• changing gender markers where legally possible;
• taking hormones;
• having chest, genital, or other gender-affirming procedures;
• choosing no medical intervention.

No particular transition step is required. Decisions depend on personal goals, health, safety, access, finances, and local law.

An agender person may identify as:

• heterosexual;
• gay;
• lesbian;
• bisexual;
• pansexual;
• asexual;
• queer;
• another orientation.

Some conventional orientation labels may feel difficult because they are often defined in relation to gender. An agender person may choose the label that best communicates their experience or may avoid orientation labels entirely.

Healthy partners should avoid:

• treating an agender person as “really” a man or woman;
• using anatomy to invalidate identity;
• pressuring them into gendered relationship roles;
• using incorrect terms during intimacy;
• disclosing their identity without permission.

A person may have preferred words for their body, relationship role, or forms of address. Respectful communication can reduce dysphoria and support comfort.

Agender and nonbinary mean exactly the same thing.
Agender is one possible identity within the wider nonbinary spectrum.

Agender people must look androgynous.
They may present in any way.

Agender means asexual.
Agender concerns gender identity; asexuality concerns sexual attraction.

Agender people dislike their bodies.
Some experience dysphoria, while others do not.

Using gendered pronouns makes someone less agender.
Pronoun choice does not invalidate identity.

• agender person;
• agender identity;
• identify as agender;
• agender community;
• agender experience;
• openly agender;
• agender pride;
• agender representation.

1. They identify as agender and use they/them pronouns.
2. Her feminine clothing did not make her identity less agender.
3. Agender is a specific identity within the nonbinary spectrum.
4. He felt little personal connection to the concept of gender.
5. The form included an agender option.
6. Their partner avoided gendered terms during intimacy.
7. An agender person may use any pronouns.
8. Gender expression does not determine gender identity.
9. Some agender people pursue transition, while others do not.
10. Agender identity is separate from sexual orientation.

Being agender does not reveal someone’s sexual orientation, libido, sexual behavior, anatomy, or interest in relationships. Agender people may have any pattern of attraction and any level of sexual or romantic interest.

Healthy sexuality involving an agender person depends on respecting their identity, pronouns, body terminology, privacy, boundaries, and consent without forcing them into masculine, feminine, or binary relationship expectations.