Understanding Bigender: Meaning, Identity, and Expression
Exploring Bigender Within the Spectrum of Gender Diversity
Bigender is a gender identity in which an individual experiences two genders—either at the same time or by shifting between them over time. These genders can fall within the traditional male and female binary or include non-binary identities, highlighting the complexity and richness of gender experiences. For people who identify as bigender, gender can be fluid or layered, shifting based on internal feelings or external surroundings. This identity plays a meaningful role in advancing awareness of gender variance and is recognized under both the non-binary and transgender umbrellas.
As visibility around bigender identity grows—particularly in online communities like Tumblr—more voices are joining the conversation through personal narratives and creative expression. Days such as Bigender Pride Day, celebrated each year on June 17, help raise awareness, affirm identity, and promote advocacy and education about bigender experiences.
Key Traits of Bigender Individuals
- Dual gender experience: A person may feel aligned with two genders simultaneously.
- Alternating identity: Gender identity may shift between two points depending on day, mood, or context.
- Varied combinations: This can include two binary genders, two non-binary genders, or a mix of both.
- Fluid gender expression: The way someone experiences or presents their gender may change over time.
For example, someone might identify as both agender and transfeminine, adjusting how they express themselves depending on the setting or day. Acknowledging and using a person’s self-identified pronouns is essential to affirming their gender identity.
Common Forms of Bigender Expression
| Expression Type | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous | Both genders felt or shown together | A combination of masculine and feminine styles in clothing and behavior |
| Alternating | Switching back and forth between genders | Identifying and presenting as one gender on certain days and another on others |
| Non-binary blend | Two non-binary or mixed gender identities | Feeling both agender and transfeminine simultaneously |
The History and Development of the Bigender Identity
Where the Term “Bigender” Comes From
The word bigender combines the prefix “bi”—meaning “two”—with “gender.” It gained traction in the late 1980s, particularly within queer and feminist activist spaces, as a way to articulate experiences involving more than one gender identity. While earlier labels like “androgynous” described the mixing of masculine and feminine traits, “bigender” allowed for more nuanced expression by recognizing distinct, dual gender identities.
Writer and activist Gary Bowen is credited with early discussions that helped define this term, setting the stage for wider recognition. Since the 2000s, platforms like Tumblr have contributed to the spread of the term, and it is now widely included in LGBTQ+ glossaries and academic gender studies.
- 1980s: Bigender appears in feminist and LGBTQ+ dialogues
- Distinct from androgyny: Centers on the presence of two defined genders
- 2000s+: Widely adopted in online communities and gender discourse
- Present: Accepted in gender theory and queer identity literature
Gender Identity, Expression, and Community Recognition
Pronouns, Visibility, and Inclusive Support
The bigender community represents a wide spectrum of gender experiences. People may flow between two binary identities, combine non-binary aspects, or experience a personalized mix. As such, pronouns may vary and change depending on context, mood, or gender presentation.
Examples of pronoun usage among bigender people include:
- He/She: Depending on the day or mode of expression
- They/Them: A neutral option that respects multiple gender facets
- Custom pronouns: Some individuals select neopronouns that better reflect their identity
Bigender Pride Day, observed every year on June 17, is an important time for advocacy, awareness campaigns, and celebration. It helps combat stigma and promotes greater inclusion for bigender individuals in all areas of life.
| Area | Best Practice | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Pronoun usage | Respect chosen pronouns at all times | Someone may use “they/them” today and “she/her” tomorrow |
| Social inclusion | Challenge gender stereotypes | Speak inclusively in conversations and online |
| Community support | Celebrate visibility events | Host a panel or awareness event on June 17 |
The Bigender Flag: Symbols and Evolving Designs
Original 7-Stripe Bigender Pride Flag
Designed in 2014 by a Tumblr user known as no-bucks-for-this-doe, the original bigender pride flag consists of seven horizontal stripes. Each color reflects a different element of gender duality and identity:
- Dark pink
- Light pink
- Light lavender
- White (center)
- Lavender
- Light blue
- Dark blue
- Pink: Represent femininity and feminine traits
- Blue: Symbolizes masculinity and masculine expression
- Lavender: A blend of binary genders or androgyny
- White: Indicates neutrality, multiple identities, or gender fluidity
The deliberate order from pink to blue reflects the coexistence, contrast, and harmony between the feminine and masculine spectrums within bigender identity.
Alternative Flag Versions
Due to concerns about the original creator, several alternate bigender pride flag designs have emerged. A popular five-striped version includes:
- Pink: Feminine connection
- Yellow: Non-binary alignment
- White: Multiple or merged gender identities
- Purple: Gender fluidity and mix
- Blue: Masculine connection
These newer designs aim to create more community-driven, inclusive representations of the bigender experience, supporting visibility without controversy.
Bigender, Genderfluid, and Non-Binary: Key Differences
Clarifying Common Terms in Gender Identity
While related, bigender, genderfluid, and non-binary are distinct identities that describe different relationships to gender:
- Bigender: Identifies with two specific gender identities, either at once or by switching between them
- Genderfluid: A shifting experience of gender across many possible identities over time
- Non-binary: An umbrella term for all gender identities that fall outside the traditional male and female categories