gender expression
How identity shows
Gender expression is the outward presentation of gender through appearance, behavior, clothing, hairstyle, voice, and mannerisms.
It may or may not align with a person's biological sex or gender identity: Her gender expression became more feminine after she transitioned.
Someone's gender expression might be described as masculine, feminine, androgynous, or fluid.
Body coverings worn daily
- hairstyleArranged head covering
- makeupProducts for beautifying faces
- accessoriesSupplementary items or adornments
- mannerismsDistinctive personal behaviors
posture · gait · body language · gestures · voice · pronouns · fashion · cosmetics
One-piece women's garments
- skirtsLower-body garments for women
- makeupProducts for beautifying faces
- heelsRaised shoe bottoms
- lipstickCosmetic for coloring lips
jewelry · florals · lace · blouses · pastels · bows · mascara · eyeliner
Resistance through fluid
- drag queenTheatrical feminine performer
- drag kingFemale masculine stage performer
- ballroomVenue for formal dances
- voguingStylized pose-based dancing
pageantry · costuming · transformation · passing · camp · exaggeration · theatricality · lip-syncing
Suitable for any gender
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- nonbinaryOutside male-female categories
- androgyneBeing of mixed sex
- tomboyGirl favoring rough play
blended · indeterminate · tailored · oversized · monotone · muted tones · enby
Outside male-female categories
- two-spiritEmbodying both gender essences
- transmasculineMoving toward male identity
- transfeminineGender identity toward femininity
- demiboyPartially male gender identity
Facial hair growth
- stubbleShort regrown facial hair
- muscularHaving well-developed sinews
- short hairTrimmed-close head covering
- suitsFormal business clothing
ties · broad shoulders · body hair · brawny · burly · assertive · stoic · chest binding
clothing
Body coverings worn daily
- hairstyleArranged head covering
- makeupProducts for beautifying faces
- accessoriesSupplementary items or adornments
mannerisms · posture · gait · body language · gestures · voice · pronouns · fashion · cosmetics · jewelry
dresses
One-piece women's garments
lipstick · jewelry · florals · lace · blouses · pastels · bows · mascara · eyeliner · blush
drag
Resistance through fluid
- drag queenTheatrical feminine performer
- drag kingFemale masculine stage performer
- ballroomVenue for formal dances
voguing · pageantry · costuming · transformation · passing · camp · exaggeration · theatricality · lip-syncing · impersonation
unisex
Suitable for any gender
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- nonbinaryOutside male-female categories
- androgyneBeing of mixed sex
tomboy · blended · indeterminate · tailored · oversized · monotone · muted tones · enby
nonbinary
Outside male-female categories
- two-spiritEmbodying both gender essences
- transmasculineMoving toward male identity
- transfeminineGender identity toward femininity
beard
Facial hair growth
- stubbleShort regrown facial hair
- muscularHaving well-developed sinews
- short hairTrimmed-close head covering
suits · ties · broad shoulders · body hair · brawny · burly · assertive · stoic · chest binding · binders
- gendermale, female, masculine, feminine, man
- identityidentity, personal identity, self, selfhood, self-image
- feminismfeminism, feminist theory, women's rights, feminist novels, feminist themes
- LGBTQ+gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, nonbinary
- Gender Artfeminist art, female gaze, male gaze, women in art, objectification
- gender developmentfeminine roles, masculinity, femininity, socialization, social learning
gender expressiongender conformity
Matching expected sex-based behaviors
gender nonconformity · gender neutrality · androgyny · gender ambiguity
expression, gender, cisgender, transgender, gendered, gendering, genderqueer, agender, bigender