Demigirl: Meaning, Nonbinary Identity, Pronouns, and Expression

For example, a demigirl may feel:

• partly like a girl and partly nonbinary;
• partly like a woman and partly agender;
• connected to femininity without identifying completely as female;
• mostly gender-neutral with a smaller connection to womanhood;
• uncertain or private about the other part of their gender.

A demigirl does not need to look feminine, use she/her pronouns, or medically transition. The identity is based on how the person understands their own gender.

• demi- — a prefix meaning partial or partly;
• girl — a female gender term.

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

Common expressions include:

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

Examples include:

• She identifies as a demigirl and uses she/they pronouns.
• The story includes a demigirl character.
• Their demigirl identity combines a connection to womanhood with a nonbinary experience.

A demigirl is one specific type of demigender identity. Other demigender identities may include demiboy, deminonbinary, demiagender, demifluid, or demiflux.

Not every demigender person identifies as a demigirl, and the strength or meaning of the connection to girlhood or womanhood differs among individuals.

However, a demigirl may describe themselves using several different terms, including:

• nonbinary;
• transgender;
• transfeminine;
• female-aligned;
• genderqueer;
• simply demigirl.

Some demigirls feel strongly connected to womanhood, while others experience only a small connection. The person’s chosen label should guide respectful language.

Some demigirls identify as transgender, while others do not use that term. A person assigned female at birth may still identify as a demigirl if they feel only partly female. A person assigned male or intersex at birth may also be a demigirl.

Assigned sex does not determine whether the identity is valid.

A demigirl may be transfeminine, but the terms are not identical.

• Demigirl describes a partial connection to girlhood or womanhood.
• Transfeminine emphasizes a relationship with femininity or feminine transition.

A demigirl may also be masculine, androgynous, neutral, or fluid in appearance.

• she/her;
• they/them;
• she/they;
• neopronouns;
• another pronoun set.

Pronouns do not determine gender. One demigirl may use only she/her, while another may use only they/them.

A demigirl may keep their existing name, choose a feminine or neutral name, or use different names in different settings. Respectful communication follows the person’s stated preferences.

Their expression may include:

• feminine clothing;
• masculine clothing;
• androgynous styling;
• makeup or no makeup;
• short or long hair;
• changing forms of presentation.

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

A demigirl may choose:

• no transition;
• clothing or hairstyle changes;
• breast forms or padding;
• hair removal;
• voice training;
• estrogen therapy;
• surgery;
• another gender-affirming option.

Another demigirl may not want any physical changes.

Medical transition is a personal choice based on comfort, health, access, and individual goals. It is never required for someone to be a demigirl.

A demigirl may be:

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

The orientation label a demigirl chooses may depend on how they understand their own gender and the genders to which they are attracted.

Partners may discuss:

• names and pronouns;
• words such as girlfriend, partner, or significant other;
• preferred terms for body parts;
• affirming compliments;
• public and private disclosure;
• sexual boundaries;
• forms of touch that feel comfortable.

A supportive partner should not pressure a demigirl to identify more completely as a woman or dismiss the nonbinary part of their identity.

Being a demigirl never gives another person permission to:

• ask invasive questions;
• reveal private identity information;
• inspect or touch someone’s body;
• test their gender through sexual activity;
• ignore their chosen language.

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

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

Every demigirl is feminine.
A demigirl may be feminine, masculine, androgynous, neutral, or fluid in expression.

Demigirl is the same as a transgender woman.
A transgender woman identifies as a woman, while a demigirl feels only a partial connection to girlhood or womanhood.

Every demigirl uses she/her pronouns.
Demigirls may use any pronouns.

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

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

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

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