Transmasculine Nonbinary: Meaning, Identity, and Expression

They may feel:

• partly like a man but not entirely;
• masculine without identifying as a man;
• more comfortable moving away from femininity;
• connected to masculinity and another gender at the same time;
• that transmasculine describes their transition while nonbinary describes their identity.

There is no single transmasculine nonbinary appearance. A person may present masculinely, androgynously, neutrally, femininely, or differently at different times.

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

The words usually function together as an adjective phrase:

• Alex is transmasculine nonbinary.
• They are a transmasculine nonbinary person.
• He describes his identity as transmasculine and nonbinary.

The shortened form transmasc is common in informal community language:

• a transmasc nonbinary person;
• transmasc community spaces;
• a transmasc identity.

When referring to a group, transmasculine nonbinary people is generally more natural and respectful than treating nonbinary as a plural noun.

Common patterns include:

• identify as transmasculine nonbinary;
• come out as transmasculine and nonbinary;
• describe oneself as transmasc;
• pursue a transmasculine transition;
• express masculinity in a nonbinary way;
• use both transmasculine and nonbinary labels.

Nonbinary indicates that the person is not exclusively a man or exclusively a woman.

Transmasculine indicates a meaningful connection to masculinity, masculine gender, or movement away from femininity. It may describe internal identity, outward expression, transition direction, or a combination of these.

A person may use both terms because neither one alone fully expresses their experience. Nonbinary explains that they are not exclusively male, while transmasculine communicates that masculinity remains important.

A person may be:

• partly male and partly another gender;
• masculine-aligned without identifying as a man;
• genderfluid between masculine and neutral genders;
• agender while pursuing a masculinizing transition;
• socially connected to manhood without identifying completely as male;
• nonbinary with a consistently masculine presentation;
• uncomfortable with femininity but not exclusively male.

Some people experience masculinity as an internal gender quality. Others connect mainly with masculine language, appearance, social recognition, or physical changes.

The individual’s explanation is more accurate than assumptions based on clothing, body type, or voice.

A transmasculine nonbinary person is not exclusively a man. They may feel partly connected to manhood, strongly masculine, or socially close to trans men while retaining a nonbinary identity.

Some people use both descriptions, such as nonbinary trans man. Others consider trans man too binary and prefer only transmasculine nonbinary.

The correct term depends on the person’s own identity and preferred language.

A demiboy may also be transmasculine and nonbinary. However, not every transmasculine nonbinary person identifies partly as male.

For example:

• A demiboy may experience partial manhood.
• A transmasculine agender person may feel genderless while preferring a masculinizing transition.
• A masculine nonbinary person may experience a distinct gender unrelated to manhood.

Demiboy is a more specific identity, while transmasculine nonbinary is a broader combined description.

A transmasculine nonbinary person specifically connects masculinity with transgender identity or a masculine direction of transition.

Someone can dress or behave masculinely without identifying as transmasculine. Gender expression alone does not determine identity.

However, terminology is personal. Some people use masculine nonbinary and transmasculine nonbinary interchangeably for themselves, while others distinguish them carefully.

Gender expression is how someone communicates gender through clothing, voice, hairstyle, movement, behavior, or appearance.

A transmasculine nonbinary person may express themselves through:

• traditionally masculine clothing;
• feminine or gender-neutral clothing;
• facial hair or a clean-shaven appearance;
• a masculine, neutral, or changing voice;
• short, long, or changing hairstyles;
• mixed forms of masculine and feminine presentation.

They do not need to appear conventionally masculine to justify the identity. Safety, culture, employment, disability, finances, and personal taste may influence how someone presents.

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

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

Do not assume pronouns from the terms transmasculine 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 masculine or neutral presentation;
• using a binder;
• changing official records where possible;
• voice training;
• hormone therapy;
• chest surgery;
• selected facial, body, reproductive, or genital procedures;
• making no medical changes.

A person may want some masculinizing effects but not others. For example, they may want a deeper voice or flatter chest without wanting to be socially recognized exclusively as a man.

No hormone, procedure, body type, voice, 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 gay or lesbian because of personal history, community connection, or attraction patterns. Others prefer broad terms such as queer because labels based on binary gender comparisons may feel inaccurate.

The identity does not determine whether someone dates, has sex, marries, forms queerplatonic partnerships, or prefers a particular relationship structure.

• using the person’s chosen identity label;
• using their correct name and pronouns;
• not reducing them to “basically a man” or “actually a woman”;
• avoiding questions about anatomy unless relevant and invited;
• not assuming that they want medical transition;
• respecting whether they prefer transmasculine, transmasc, or another term;
• protecting private identity and transition information.

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

Every transmasculine nonbinary person identifies partly as a man.
No. Some connect to masculinity without identifying with manhood.

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

All transmasculine nonbinary people use he/they pronouns.
No. They may use any pronouns.

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

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

1. Alex identifies as transmasculine nonbinary because masculinity is important to their gender without making them exclusively a man.
2. A transmasculine nonbinary person may use he/him, they/them, or any other pronouns.
3. Can someone be both a demiboy and transmasculine nonbinary?
4. His transmasculine nonbinary identity does not require a conventionally masculine appearance.
5. The glossary distinguishes transmasculine nonbinary from trans man and masculine nonbinary.
6. Being transmasculine nonbinary does not reveal a person’s anatomy or medical history.
7. Sam describes herself as transmasculine nonbinary while continuing to enjoy feminine clothing.
8. Understanding transmasculine nonbinary helped the family recognize that masculinity does not always mean exclusive manhood.

A transmasculine nonbinary person may choose orientation labels according to their identity, communities, and the genders they find attractive. They may also prefer broader language when binary orientation terms do not accurately describe their experience.

Understanding transmasculine nonbinary identities supports respectful discussion of gender and sexuality. It recognizes that someone can have a meaningful connection to masculinity without identifying exclusively as a man or following one required path of expression, transition, relationships, or intimacy.