third sex
Beyond male, female
Third sex refers to people who don't fit conventional categories of male or female—whether by biology, identity, or social role.
The term appears in historical and anthropological contexts to describe gender categories recognized in various cultures: In some societies, the third sex held ceremonial roles.
Now largely replaced by terms like nonbinary or third gender.
Outside the two-category system
- genderfluidVariable gender identity
- agenderHaving no gender identity
- bigenderTwo-gender identity
- enbyNonbinary person, casually
Medically transitioned gender identity
- transitionChange from one state
- MTFTransgender feminine transition
- FTMMale-identifying trans abbreviation
- transwomanWoman with male birth assignment
transman · gender dysphoria · hormone therapy · top surgery · gender reassignment · gender expression · trans rights · detransition
Protections for sexual minorities
- prideSatisfaction from one's achievements
- visibilityRange of clear sight
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- gender diversityVariety in identity categories
acceptance · anti-discrimination · human rights · equality · inclusivity · allyship · representation · coming out
Possessing both sex organs
- karyotypeOrganized chromosome display
- mosaicismMixed genetic makeup
- bodily autonomyControl over one's physique
Recorded identity classification
- legal recognitionFormal validity under law
- birth certificateOfficial record of arrival
- civil statusLegal classification of relationships
genderqueer
Outside the two-category system
- genderfluidVariable gender identity
- agenderHaving no gender identity
- bigenderTwo-gender identity
enby · androgyne · epicene · gender nonconforming · ungendered
two-spirit
Embodying both gender essences
transsexual
Medically transitioned gender identity
- transitionChange from one state
- MTFTransgender feminine transition
- FTMMale-identifying trans abbreviation
transwoman · transman · gender dysphoria · hormone therapy · top surgery · gender reassignment · gender expression · trans rights · detransition · passing
LGBTQ+ rights
Protections for sexual minorities
- prideSatisfaction from one's achievements
- visibilityRange of clear sight
- advocacyPleading for a cause
gender diversity · acceptance · anti-discrimination · human rights · equality · inclusivity · allyship · representation · coming out
hermaphroditism
Possessing both sex organs
- karyotypeOrganized chromosome display
- mosaicismMixed genetic makeup
- bodily autonomyControl over one's physique
gender marker
Recorded identity classification
- legal recognitionFormal validity under law
- birth certificateOfficial record of arrival
- civil statusLegal classification of relationships
third sexbinary gender
Male-or-female categorization only
gender binary · male · female · man · woman
third, thirds, thirdly, sex, sexes, sexual, sexually, sexuality, sexed