“Gender nonconforming” is a term given to people who don’t conform with the gender norms that are expected of them.
The term usually refers to gender expression or presentation (that is, how someone looks and dresses). It can also refer to behavior, preferences, and roles that don’t conform to gender norms.
In other words, gender nonconforming can be used to describe people as well as actions, dress, and ideas.
Being gender nonconforming doesn’t necessarily mean you’re transgender or非二进制, although you could be both.
We can define gender expectations as the roles, dress, behavior, and appearance society expects people of certain genders to have.
For example, in one specific society, women might be expected to shave their legs and men might be expected to not show vulnerability.
Most of us don’t fully conform to those gender expectations all of the time.
例如，许多妇女选择不剃光腿，许多妇女在婚姻和孩子方面从事职业。许多男人表现出脆弱性并穿着指甲油。
当然，由于性别期望与一个社会和文化与下一个社会的不同之处，因此在一种文化中认为性别不合格的可能性可能不在另一种文化中。
在许多美国文化中，这些被认为是性别不符合的例子：
- A man might show emotion and tenderness.
- A woman might wear a suit on her wedding day instead of a dress.
- 一个男人可能会戴眼线笔。
- A woman might pursue a career instead of marriage or motherhood.
- 一个男人可能会在腋下刮胡子。
- A woman might be assertive.
- A man might be a stay-at-home dad.
By the above standards, most folks are gender nonconforming — very few people conform fully to gender expectations. So, is everyone gender nonconforming? Does that label apply to everyone?
Not necessarily. The term “gender nonconforming” is typically used to describe someone who故意地subverts these gender norms.
A part of their gender expression may be to dress, behave, or present themselves in a gender-nonconforming way.
尽管有些人认为性别不合格是其身份的一部分，但对于其他人来说，这更多是一个决定和行动，而不是身份。
So, if you want to identify with gender nonconformity, or if you want to use the term to describe yourself, your gender expression, or your social expression, you can do so. It’s a matter of your own preference.
According toMerriam-Webster，该术语的第一个记录是在1991年，当时Lisa M. Diamond，Susan B. Bonner和Janna Dickenson写道：
“Gender identity refers to an individual’s internalized psychological experience of being male or female, whereas gender nonconformity refers to the degree to which an individual’s appearance, behavior, interests, and subjective self-concept deviate from conventional norms for masculinity/femininity.”
性别角色包括您期望根据性别所拥有的行为，态度和价值观。性别角色在文化中各不相同。
例如，在许多美国文化中，性别角色决定了：
- which gender is expected to pursue another romantically
- which gender is expected to be the breadwinner or sole provider of a household
- which gender is expected to take care of domestic duties
Many people don’t conform to these gender roles. This could be an example of gender nonconformity.
根据定义，不合格意味着您不符合性别期望。另一方面，很少使用“性别符合”一词。
如前所述，大多数人并不完全符合性别期望 - 我们大多数人以某种方式符合性别的期望并以其他方式颠覆。
尽量不要将其视为在性别顺从性和性别不合格之间选择。无论它是否与您的性别期望相匹配，都可以将其视为真实的生活。
Yes, anyone of any gender can be gender nonconforming.
尽管有些人认同两种术语，但不合格性别与非二进制不同。
You don’t have to be nonbinary or transgender in order to be gender nonconforming.
For example, a cisgender man might wear nail polish as an expression of his gender. This doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s nonbinary, but it can be a way for him to stop conforming to gender norms.
Many people argue that nonbinary people are, by definition, gender nonconforming because they don’t conform to the gender binary or the gender expectations placed on them by society.
But it all comes down to the individual’s personal preference. You’re the only one who gets to decide what applies to you or how you want to be described.
Gender nonconforming actions can be big or small. Again, it’s important to remember that gender nonconformity depends on the cultural context.
If, in your culture, women are expected to grow their leg hair instead of shave it, fitting into this norm wouldn’t be considered gender nonconforming.
性别不合格看起来像是穿“男性”，而不是为某些人穿“女人”服装，但对每个人来说都不是。它也可能看起来像穿雌雄同体的衣服。
Gender nonconformity can extend to:
- 发型（例如，有长发或女人剃掉她的男人）
- makeup or a lack thereof
- 修饰实践
虽然该术语通常适用于性别表达，但它也可以包括态度，手势，性别角色等。
性别不合格通常更多地是关于性别表达的，而性别表达者或性别 - 流体却更多地是关于性别认同。
BeingGenderqueeris having a gender identity that falls outside ofheterosexual, cisgendernorms. Beinggender-fluidis having a gender identity that changes and shifts over time.
That said, some do use the term “gender nonconforming” to describe their gender identity — it really varies from person to person.
Gender nonconforming people might be genderqueer or genderfluid, but this isn’t always the case. A gender nonconforming person might identify fully as a man or woman.
Gender nonconforming is a useful word to describe gender expression that falls outside of gender norms.
It’s also a broad term: Gender nonconforming could include feminine, masculine, or androgynous traits, or a mixture of the three.
This term can be ideal for people who enjoy playing around with gender expression or dressing in certain ways but who don’t want to use a specific word to cover their gender identity.
您选择使用的标签完全是您的选择。但是，并不总是很容易知道要选择哪个标签。
没有“测试”可以弄清楚您是否应该将自己描述为性别不合格。
To figure it out, you can try the following:
- Talk to gender nonconforming people on forums or online groups, or in real life, to hear what being gender nonconforming means to them.
- 阅读有关性别不合格人的经历，并问自己是否与之相关。请记住，每个人的经历都不同。
- 考虑性别表达的哪些方面您认为性别不合格。他们怎么不符合？这个颠覆对您很重要吗？
- 通过将自己称为性别不合格，以大声或书面的词来试用该术语。如果您不想，您无需与任何人分享。尝试一下，看看感觉如何。
请记住，没有正确或错误的答案。您可以描述自己的性别，但是您认为合适。
许多人发现他们的性别认同和表达会随着时间而变化。这很普遍。如果这是您的经验，那没关系！这并不能使您的经历变得不那么有效。
Being gender nonconforming can be difficult for many people because of the stigma associated with breaking away from gender expectations.
支持您一生中的性别不合格的人可能包括向人们提供有关性别不合格的知识。
It can be as simple asteaching your kids关于性别认同和性别表达。它还可能包括挑战那些看不起性别不合格人的人。
If you have a gender nonconforming loved one, give them space to talk about being gender nonconforming without expecting them to talk about it (as they might not want to).
Accept it and celebrate it as a part of them. Ask if there are any specific ways you can support them.
If you want to learn more about gender, there are many online resources out there. For example:
- 非二进制Wiki是一个Wiki-Type网站，其中包括许多与性别认同有关的信息。
- genderqueer.mehas a thoroughlist of resourceson gender identity and related topics.
- Book Riot has a有关性别认同的书籍清单，包括小说和非小说书籍。
您也可以查看我们的list of 64 different termsto describe gender identity and expression.
西安·弗格森（Sian Ferguson）is a freelance writer and editor based in Grahamstown, South Africa. Her writing covers issues relating to social justice, cannabis, and health. You can reach out to her on推特.
