Gendervague

A neurogender identity in which a person's gender cannot be separated from, or described independently of, their neurodivergence.

Definition

A neurogender identity in which a person's gender cannot be separated from, or described independently of, their neurodivergence. A gendervague person experiences their gender as undefinable in ordinary terms precisely because of how their neurodivergent mind processes identity. Being neurodivergent does not cause the gender, but the two are inextricably linked in how the person understands themselves.

Etymology

Gender + vague. A neurogender term, meant to be used only as a self-identity label by neurodivergent people.

History

In wide informal use among autistic people before being documented; popularized in 2014 on Tumblr through the neurodivergent-kin network, and brought to wider attention by disability-justice activist Lydia X. Z. Brown. Part of the broader neurogender vocabulary.

Common myths

  • "Gendervague is just agender with extra steps." Agender is the absence of gender; gendervague is a gender that exists but is inseparable from neurodivergence and therefore resists ordinary description.
  • "Linking gender to neurodivergence is offensive." The term was coined by and for neurodivergent people to describe a genuine, frequently reported experience.

See also