Transfeminine Nonbinary: Meaning, Identity, and Expression

They may feel:

• partly like a woman but not entirely;
• feminine without identifying as a woman;
• more comfortable moving away from masculinity;
• connected to both femininity and another gender;
• that transfeminine describes their transition while nonbinary describes their gender.

There is no single way to look transfeminine and nonbinary. A person may present femininely, androgynously, neutrally, masculinely, or differently at different times.

• transfeminine, describing a transgender identity or transition connected to femininity;
• nonbinary, describing a gender that is not exclusively male or exclusively female.

The words usually appear together as an adjective phrase:

• Alex is transfeminine nonbinary.
• She is a transfeminine nonbinary person.
• They described their identity as transfeminine and nonbinary.

The shortened form transfem is common in informal community language:

• a transfem nonbinary person;
• transfem nonbinary people;
• a transfem identity.

Use transfeminine nonbinary people, not transfeminine nonbinaries, when referring to a group.

Common patterns include:

• identify as transfeminine nonbinary;
• come out as transfeminine and nonbinary;
• describe oneself as transfem;
• pursue a transfeminine transition;
• express femininity in a nonbinary way;
• use both transfeminine and nonbinary labels.

Nonbinary describes the person’s gender as not exclusively male or female.

Transfeminine describes a connection to femininity, feminine gender, or movement away from masculinity. It may refer to internal identity, outward expression, transition direction, or a combination of these.

A person may use both terms because neither one alone fully explains their experience. Nonbinary communicates that they are not exclusively a woman, while transfeminine communicates that femininity remains important.

A person may be:

• partly female and partly another gender;
• feminine-aligned without identifying as a woman;
• genderfluid between feminine and neutral genders;
• agender but pursuing a feminizing transition;
• connected to womanhood socially but not completely;
• nonbinary with a consistently feminine presentation;
• uncomfortable with masculinity but not exclusively female.

Two people may use the same label for different reasons. The individual’s own explanation is more accurate than assumptions based on appearance.

A transfeminine nonbinary person is not exclusively a woman. They may feel partly connected to womanhood, strongly feminine, or socially close to trans women while retaining a nonbinary identity.

Some people use both descriptions, such as nonbinary trans woman. Others consider trans woman too binary for their experience and prefer only transfeminine nonbinary.

The correct term depends on the person’s self-identification.

A demigirl may also be transfeminine and nonbinary. However, not every transfeminine nonbinary person feels partly female.

For example:

• A demigirl may experience partial womanhood.
• A transfeminine agender person may feel no gender while preferring a feminizing transition.
• A feminine nonbinary person may experience a distinct gender unrelated to womanhood.

Demigirl is a specific identity, while transfeminine nonbinary is a broader combined description.

A transfeminine nonbinary person specifically connects that femininity with transgender identity or a feminine direction of transition.

A person can dress femininely without being transfeminine. For example, an assigned-female nonbinary person may use feminine nonbinary but not transfeminine.

However, terminology is personal, and people may understand these labels differently.

A transfeminine nonbinary person may express themselves through:

• dresses or traditionally feminine clothing;
• masculine or gender-neutral clothing;
• makeup or no makeup;
• a feminine, neutral, or changing voice;
• long, short, or changing hairstyles;
• combinations of masculine and feminine presentation.

They do not need to appear conventionally feminine to justify the label. Safety, culture, finances, disability, employment, and personal style may all influence presentation.

• she/her;
• they/them;
• she/they;
• he/him;
• neopronouns;
• several pronoun sets;
• pronouns that change over time.

Some may use traditionally feminine names or titles, while others prefer neutral or masculine language.

Do not assume pronouns from the words transfeminine or nonbinary. Use the name, pronouns, and forms of address requested by the individual.

Possible choices include:

• changing a name or pronouns;
• adopting a more feminine or neutral presentation;
• changing official records where possible;
• voice training;
• hair removal;
• hormone therapy;
• breastdevelopment or surgery;
• selected facial or body procedures;
• making no medical changes.

A person may want some feminizing effects but not others. For example, they may want softer skin or breast development without wanting to be socially recognized exclusively as a woman.

No procedure, hormone, body type, or appearance is required.

A person with this identity may be:

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

Some use familiar orientation labels such as lesbian or gay. Others prefer broader terms because labels based on binary gender comparisons may not fit comfortably.

Their identity does not determine whether they date, have sex, marry, form queerplatonic relationships, or prefer a particular relationship structure.

• using the person’s stated identity label;
• using correct names and pronouns;
• not reducing them to “basically a woman” or “actually a man”;
• avoiding questions about anatomy unless relevant and invited;
• not assuming medical transition goals;
• respecting whether they use transfeminine, transfem, or another term;
• protecting private gender or transition information.

A person does not need to explain exactly how nonbinary identity and femininity combine before others respect them.

Every transfeminine nonbinary person identifies partly as a woman.
No. Some connect to femininity without identifying with womanhood.

The identity requires a feminine appearance.
No. Presentation does not determine gender.

All transfeminine nonbinary people use she/they pronouns.
No. They may use any pronouns.

Medical transition is required.
No. Transition choices are optional and individual.

Transfeminine nonbinary determines sexual orientation.
No. Gender identity and sexual orientation are separate.

1. Alex identifies as transfeminine nonbinary because femininity is important to their gender without making them exclusively a woman.
2. A transfeminine nonbinary person may use she/her, they/them, or any other pronouns.
3. Can someone be both a demigirl and transfeminine nonbinary?
4. Her transfeminine nonbinary identity does not require a conventionally feminine appearance.
5. The glossary distinguishes transfeminine nonbinary from trans woman and feminine nonbinary.
6. Being transfeminine nonbinary does not reveal a person’s anatomy or medical history.
7. Sam describes himself as transfeminine nonbinary while using masculine and neutral clothing.
8. Understanding transfeminine nonbinary helped the family recognize that femininity does not always mean exclusive womanhood.

A transfeminine nonbinary person may use orientation labels based on personal identity, community, and the genders they find attractive. They may also prefer broad terms such as queer when binary orientation language feels inaccurate.

Understanding transfeminine nonbinary identities supports respectful discussions of gender and sexuality. It shows that a person can have a meaningful connection to femininity without identifying exclusively as a woman or following one required path of expression, transition, or intimacy.