Non-binary, Agender and Pangender: What They Mean and How They Differ
Not everyone feels they are a man or a woman. Get to know identities beyond the gender binary, and how to show respect in everyday life.
Key points
- Non-binary is an umbrella term for identities that aren't solely man or woman.
- Agender means feeling you have no gender; pangender means feeling you are many or all genders. These are identities, not sexual orientations.
- Some non-binary people want medical care, such as individually tailored hormone doses, which WPATH SOC-8 supports.
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Someone once told me, "Every time I have to tick 'male' or 'female' on a form, I feel like I'm lying." That sentence sums up how many non-binary people feel. They aren't confused and they aren't seeking attention; those two boxes simply have no room for who they really are.
This article introduces terms you often hear, including non-binary, agender, pangender and related words, along with ways to show respect in real life.
Non-binary: an umbrella for identities beyond the binary
Non-binary describes people whose gender identity isn't solely man or woman. They may feel somewhere in between, both, neither, or something that changes over time. The word works like an "umbrella" covering many more specific identities.
| Term | Brief meaning |
|---|---|
| Genderqueer | Outside the man/woman framework, or questioning that framework |
| Agender | Feeling you have no gender, or that gender has no meaning for you |
| Bigender | Feeling you are two genders, at the same time or alternating |
| Pangender | Feeling you are many or all genders |
| Genderfluid | An identity that shifts and changes over time |
| Demigender | Feeling partly connected to one gender, e.g. demigirl, demiboy |
These terms aren't rigid boxes. Different people may use different words even when they feel similarly. What you should do is listen to how each person describes themselves.
Agender
- No gender
- Gender has no meaning for them
Bigender / Pangender
- Two genders
- Many or all genders
Genderfluid
- Identity is fluid
- Shifts over time
Demigender
- Partly connected to one gender
- E.g. demigirl, demiboy
Genderqueer
- Outside the male-female frame
- Questions that frame
These are not fixed boxes. Listen to how each person defines themselves.
Agender: when gender isn't part of who you are
Agender people feel they have no gender. Some describe themselves as "genderless" or "gender-neutral". Some have always felt this way; others realise it gradually as they grow older.
It's important to distinguish agender (having no gender identity) from asexual (not feeling sexual attraction to anyone). Agender people can love and desire anyone, and asexual people can be men or women.
Pangender: when your identity is bigger than one word
"Pan" means "all". Pangender people feel their identity spans many or all genders. Some describe it as "I'm a man, a woman and something else, all at once."
Don't confuse this with pansexual, which is a sexual orientation meaning attraction to people regardless of gender. The names are similar, but they sit on different axes (review the axes of gender in gender identity).
Gender identity
Who I am inside
- Agender: no gender identity
- Pangender: many or all genders
Sexual orientation
Who I am attracted to
- Asexual: no sexual attraction to anyone
- Pansexual: attraction regardless of gender
An agender person can love anyone, and an asexual person can be a man or a woman.
Pronouns in Thai and English
In English, many non-binary people use they/them, and some use combinations such as she/they or he/they.
Thai is somewhat friendlier here, because words like "khao" (he/she/they), "rao" (we/I) and "tua eng" (yourself) don't specify gender. What needs care are the polite particles "khrap" (male) and "kha" (female), terms like "nong chai" (younger brother) or "nong sao" (younger sister), and titles on documents. Some people alternate particles or don't use them at all.
- Ask how the person would like to be addressed, and remember it.
- You can always use their name instead of a pronoun.
- You don't need to ask why they chose that.
Non-binary people and health care
Not every non-binary person wants to change their body, and it doesn't mean they've "not fully transitioned". Some are happy with their body as it is; others want certain changes, such as stopping periods, reducing body hair or a more gender-neutral shape.
The WPATH SOC-8 guidelines (2022) include a chapter specifically on non-binary people and confirm that care should be designed around each person's goals, for example:
- Low-dose hormones, or hormones for a short period, with a doctor's monitoring
- Specific medicines only, such as an anti-androgen alone, depending on goals and safety
- Psychological counselling to explore identity without pressure to choose a side
Some hormone changes can't be reversed, such as a deeper voice from testosterone or breast growth from estrogen, so talk things through carefully with a doctor before starting. Read more in gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT).
Mental health, and living in a world that still has two boxes
Non-binary people are misgendered, asked the same questions again and again, or told "you'll grow out of it" far more often than others realise. This accumulated stress has real effects on mental health (read about minority stress in LGBTQ+ health). Having friends, family or spaces that accept you offers strong protection.
Expression is also separate from identity. Some non-binary people dress in ways society sees as "masculine" or "feminine", and that's fine. See more in genderless fashion.
When to talk with a doctor
- You want to explore your identity with someone who won't judge.
- You want to change some aspects of your body but aren't sure what's possible.
- You are using hormones you bought yourself, or are having side effects.
- You feel stressed or low, or have thoughts of harming yourself (call 1323, Thailand's free 24-hour mental-health hotline; Thai language, ask for English support).
At Dr. Kris Clinic, I offer consultations on identity and plan individually tailored care. You don't need to choose a side before seeing a doctor, and you don't need to have every answer. We can work through it together, in person in Surat Thani or online, in English if you prefer.
Want help with this? Three simple steps
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Frequently asked questions
Is non-binary a third gender?
Not exactly. Non-binary isn't a single gender but an umbrella term for many identities outside the man/woman framework. Some people feel in between, some have no gender, and some are many genders.
Are agender and asexual the same?
No. Agender is an identity of having no gender; asexual means not feeling sexual attraction to anyone. A person can be one, both or neither.
Can non-binary people use hormones?
Yes, if it is their goal and a doctor assesses it as safe. WPATH SOC-8 supports individually designed hormone plans, such as low doses or only certain medicines, but it's important to understand that some effects can't be reversed.
How should I address a non-binary person in Thai?
Use their name or neutral words such as "khao" or "khun", and ask what polite particles or forms of address they prefer.
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References
- Coleman E, et al. Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8, Chapter 8: Nonbinary. Int J Transgend Health. 2022;23(Suppl 1).
- Richards C, Bouman WP, Seal L, et al. Non-binary or genderqueer genders. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2016;28(1):95–102.
- World Health Organization. ICD-11: Gender incongruence (Chapter 17, Conditions related to sexual health). 2019.
- American Psychological Association. Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People. Am Psychol. 2015;70(9):832–864.
This article is for education and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a doctor. If you have symptoms or concerns, please see a doctor.
