Demiboy: Meaning, Nonbinary Identity, Pronouns, and Expression

For example, a demiboy may feel:

• partly like a boy and partly nonbinary;
• partly like a man and partly agender;
• connected to masculinity without identifying completely as male;
• mostly gender-neutral with a smaller connection to manhood;
• uncertain about the other part of their gender.

Simple examples include:

• Ari identifies as a demiboy.
• A demiboy may use he/him, they/them, or other pronouns.
• Being a demiboy does not require masculine clothing.
• A demiboy may have any sexual orientation.
• Medical transition is not required for someone to be a demiboy.

• demi- — a prefix meaning partial or approximately half;
• boy — a male gender term.

In identity language, demi- does not always mean an exact mathematical half. It generally means that the person experiences a meaningful but incomplete connection to a gender.

Common expressions include:

• identify as a demiboy;
• a demiboy person;
• a demiboy identity;
• come out as a demiboy;
• demiboy representation.

Examples include:

• They recently came out as a demiboy.
• The story includes a demiboy character.
• His demiboy identity combines a connection to manhood with a nonbinary experience.

Demigender identities may include:

• demiboy;
• demigirl;
• deminonbinary;
• demiagender;
• other personally defined identities.

A demiboy is therefore one specific type of demigender identity.

Not every demigender person identifies as a demiboy, and the strength of the gender connection varies among individuals.

However, identity language remains personal. A demiboy may describe themselves as:

• nonbinary;
• transgender;
• transmasculine;
• male-aligned;
• genderqueer;
• simply demiboy.

Some may also identify partly as men, while others avoid the word man and prefer only boy, guy, or a neutral term.

A demiboy may identify as transgender, especially when their assigned sex does not fully match their gender. However, not every demiboy personally uses the transgender label.

Someone assigned male at birth may still be a demiboy if they feel only partly male. Someone assigned female or intersex at birth may also identify as a demiboy.

Assigned sex does not determine whether the identity is valid.

A demiboy may be transmasculine, but the terms are not identical.

• Demiboy describes a partial connection to boyhood or manhood.
• Transmasculine emphasizes a relationship with masculinity or masculine transition.

A demiboy may be feminine, masculine, androgynous, or neutral in appearance.

• he/him;
• they/them;
• he/they;
• neopronouns;
• another pronoun set.

Pronouns do not determine gender. One demiboy may use only he/him, while another may use only they/them.

A demiboy may also keep their birth name, choose a masculine or neutral name, or use different names in different settings.

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

Their gender expression may include:

• masculine clothing;
• feminine clothing;
• androgynous styling;
• makeup;
• facial hair;
• long or short hair;
• changing presentation.

Gender identity is internal, while gender expression is outward presentation. Clothing, voice, body shape, and mannerisms cannot prove or disprove a demiboy identity.

A demiboy may choose:

• no medical transition;
• chest binding;
• masculine clothing or grooming;
• voice training;
• testosterone;
• chest surgery;
• another gender-affirming option.

Another demiboy may not want any physical changes.

Medical decisions depend on personal comfort, health, access, and individual goals. Hormones or surgery are not requirements for being a demiboy.

A demiboy may be:

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

The language someone uses for orientation may depend partly on how they understand their own gender and their partners’ genders.

The individual should choose the orientation label that feels most accurate.

Partners may discuss:

• preferred pronouns;
• affectionate names;
• words such as boyfriend, partner, or significant other;
• preferred terms for body parts;
• gender-affirming forms of touch;
• public and private identity disclosure;
• sexual boundaries.

A supportive partner should not pressure a demiboy to become “more male” or dismiss the nonbinary part of their identity.

Being a demiboy never gives others permission to:

• ask invasive questions;
• disclose private identity information;
• touch the person’s body;
• test their gender through sexual activity;
• ignore their preferred language.

Consent remains voluntary, specific, informed, continuing, and reversible.

Only people assigned female at birth can be demiboys.
People of any assigned sex may use the identity.

Every demiboy is masculine.
Gender expression may be masculine, feminine, androgynous, or varied.

Demiboy is the same as a transgender man.
A transgender man identifies as a man, while a demiboy feels only a partial connection to that gender.

Every demiboy uses he/him pronouns.
Demiboys may use any pronouns.

A demiboy must medically transition.
No physical or medical change is required.

1. A demiboy feels partly, but not completely, connected to being a boy or man.
2. A demiboy may also identify as nonbinary, transgender, or transmasculine.
3. A demiboy can have any assigned sex, anatomy, or physical appearance.
4. A demiboy may use he/him, they/them, or another set of pronouns.
5. A demiboy does not need masculine clothing to validate their gender.
6. A demiboy may choose medical transition, social transition, or neither.
7. A demiboy can have any sexual or romantic orientation.
8. Respecting a demiboy includes using their chosen name, pronouns, and relationship terms.

However, being a demiboy does not determine sexual orientation, anatomy, sexual behavior, libido, or availability. Demiboys may have any orientation and may prefer many different forms of relationship or intimacy.

Accurate sexuality education respects demiboys through self-chosen identity terms, affirming pronouns and body language, privacy, bodily autonomy, and clear consent.