Novigender definition
Questioning gender identity is an experience that many people have a multitude of times throughout their lives. And in some cases, the results of this questioning can be confusing.
Novigender is not a very common gender identity.
Some novigender people perceive themselves to be close to genderfluid, non-binary, or maverique.
Novigender people can choose to have any gender expression (more feminine, more masculine, or neutral), depending on where their experience leads them. They also may decide to be consistently masculine- or feminine-presenting in alignment with social norms.
The essentials
A Tumblr user 3785091890821 (aka houisa) came up with the term “novigender” in 2014. It originates from Latin “novus” (new) + “gender”.
According to some people, novigender is just a fancy term to describe individuals who are questioning their gender. But it’s just an opinion.
Novigender people may or may not experience gender dysphoria (the feeling of distress associated with the incongruence between one’s gender and sex assigned at birth). Gender dysphoria can be related to one’s body or to how one’s gender is perceived socially.
Click here to take a free Gender Dysphoria Test
What is the difference between novigender, genderqueer, genderfluid, maverique?
Novigender, as previously mentioned, is a gender identity in which a person’s gender experience, or its lack, is too hard to process and impossible to fit into just one word. Genderqueer is a gender identity that describes people who, as the term suggests, are feeling “queer” about their gender meaning they refuse to follow binary gender norms. Genderqueer is not the same as genderfluid although genderqueer people may sometimes have the feeling that their gender is fluid.
The “genderfluid” term is used to describe individuals whose gender identity fluctuates and is never fixed.
And maverique is a gender identity that is not lack of gender but is defined by complete independence of the masculine, the feminine, or anything in between.
Flag and symbol
The grey color symbolizes neutrality and at the same time, confusion. The light blue and the dark blue represent different stages of clarity people might experience around it. The orange symbolizes the lack of clarity and the uniqueness of the experience for each novigender individual.
The second flag was made by the Tumblr user nova-pride-flags in 2016, although according to some sources, it was created much earlier. This flag has five stripes of different dimensions (the second and the fourth stripes are half as wide as the others). From top to bottom, the colors are: soft-hued blue, purple, grey, purple, soft-hued blue. There’s a black swirl in the middle of the central stripe:
Because novigender community is very small, there is no officially recognized novigender symbol yet. Should the community grow over time, this black swirl could be probably used as novigender symbol.
Novigender and sexual orientation
Some people may conflate the terms “gender identity” and “sexual orientation”. In all likelihood, it happens because "sex" is what each and every human is assigned at birth, based on whether they have a vagina or a penis. Therefore, some individuals mix the terms “sex/gender/sexual orientation”.
For some people, their sex assigned at birth matches their gender identity, for some (including novigender individuals) it doesn’t. Novigender people may feel like they have none or more than one gender identity.
Gender identity is how a person perceives themselves, sexual orientation is who they desire sexually.
Still, gender identity and sexual orientation do have one thing in common - in most cases, it is impossible to know what someone's gender identity is or who they’re attracted to sexually and romantically without asking them.
What pronouns should be used when talking to a novigender?
Taking into consideration that novigender people are confused about what their gender identity is, it is normal if some of them may also be confused about what pronouns should be used to address them.
The majority of non-binary people, including novigender, prefer the “they/them/theirs” set of pronouns. If a novigender person is not sure what pronouns they prefer, use those and it won't go wrong.
If a novigender person has explicitly asked you to use a certain type of pronoun, please remember not using the pronouns of their choice can be disempowering and demeaning for them.
Coming out as novigender
It can be challenging to come out as novigender, so if you or someone you know have self-identified as such and have decided not to come out to anyone else, that’s okay. Many people choose to keep it to themselves for various reasons.
But if you or a friend of yours have made the brave decision to come out, here are some tips and recommendations on how to do it the right way:
- Start small and realize that it’s probably easier to start by telling friends - family members may overreact;
- Develop a support network of people who are accepting and supportive;
- Be patient - some people may need time to “digest” new information and adjust to it;
- Be prepared to different kind of reactions - from joy to fear;
- Don’t come out in anger and try to always be positive.
What is the best way to support novigender people?
Unfortunately, many novigender people around the world still experience intolerance, inequality, and discrimination. That’s why friends’ and relatives’ support is so important for them.
Here’s what you can do if you want to show a novigender person your support:
- Always listen to them in a non-judgemental manner;
- Tell them it's okay if their gender doesn't fit into any established labels;
- Don't let anyone get away with making snide remarks about novigender people;
- Show them you support them because we're all alike. We are all complex human beings, after all; our gender identity is just one piece of our personality puzzle