What does it mean to be pangender?

The traditional constructs of gender can be just that—traditional. But our understanding of gender is evolving, and with that, language is too. Today, around 3% of adults under 30 identify as non-binary, which is an umbrella term for any gender identities that fall outside of the man/woman binary. And a more recent entry under this umbrella is “pangender.”

To be pangender is to identify with a multitude of genders. The term has been kicking around since the ’90s, but it was only added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2022. And as it continues to gain traction, we’re seeing more and more people come to recognise the experience in themselves, which we love to see.

Whether you’re curious about new language that better describes you, seeking to support someone else on their gender journey, or you’re just generally interested—we’re glad you’re here. With the help of sex and relationships therapist Nikita Fernandes, let’s get into it. 

What does pangender mean?

Pangender folks are people who identify as a potentially vast multitude of genders. Some definitions of pangender classify it as identifying with all genders, though it’s important to note that some people can’t identify as culturally distinct genders—like the Native American Two-Spirit, or the South Asian hijra—if they’re not from those cultures.

Pangender artist and writer Cari Rez Lobo, who created the pangender flag, describes it eloquently on their blog Pangendering: “Being pangender can feel like you are a huge amount of diverse genders, to the point that you can’t even specify all of them…It could feel like an ‘infinite organized chaos,’ but even if it feels ‘chaotic,’ it’s possible and real.”

So a pangender person could identify as a man, woman, non-binary, and any or all gender identities beyond this that are available to them. They might embody all of their genders at once, or fluctuate between them. And they might identify with some more or less than others, too.

“The gender binary is a very black-and-white way of looking at how people express themselves,” summarizes Fernandes. “To be pangender is to step outside of that, and recognize that we have alternate ways of conceptualizing gender, which can be more affirming to people's various facets.”

Pangender vs. other gender identities

Gender terminology has come a long way in a short time. As it continues to evolve, folks connect with different language in different ways—so we encourage everyone to take what resonates with them and leave what doesn’t.

Other gender terms that are either similar to or overlap with pangender include:

• Bigender: Bigender people have just two distinct gender identities—so they could identify as both a man and a woman, or any other two gender identities. Similar to pangender folks, they may identify as both simultaneously, or move between the two.

  
  

• Polygender:  Polygender people identify with more than one—but not necessarily all or many—genders. Similarly, again, someone who is polygender may experience several distinct gender identities either simultaneously or alternately. 

  
  

• Genderfluid: Genderfluid people move between different gender identities at different times. They may move between one gender at a time, or identify as several different ones.

  
  

• Genderqueer: Genderqueer people don’t follow binary gender norms; it’s a term similar to non-binary, but considered by some to be a more politically-charged identity in its “queering” ideas of gender.

  
  

Sometimes there’s a fine line between identifying with infinite genders and identifying with no genders, too. Agender describes a person who does not consider themselves to have a gender, or is gender-neutral. (Alternative terms for this include genderfree, ungendered, or genderblank.)

Learn more from Feeld members about what their non-binary identities mean to them.

A note on pangender vs. pansexual

It’s common to get “pangender” mixed up with “pansexual.” But they refer to two different aspects of a person’s identity. One is about gender, while the other is about sexual orientation: “Pangender” refers to the genders a person identifies as, while “pansexual” refers to the genders they’re attracted to. 

Where pangender, as we’ve covered, describes a person who identifies as all or many genders, pansexual describes a person who is sexually attracted to all genders (or, in other words, attracted to humans full stop—regardless of their gender identity). To quote the pansexual character David Rose from Schitt’s Creek: “I like the wine and not the label.”

The pangender flag

Created, as mentioned, by the pangender artist and writer Cari Rez Lobo, the pangender flag is a symbol of pride and visibility in the queer community. 

Each of the seven horizontal stripes in the flag represents a different aspect of gender, evoking the vastness of pangender experiences:

• Yellow represents gender identities outside the male-female binary.
• Light red represents the transition to the genders which are related to female and male. 
• Light pink represents the combination of female and male
• White represents the inclusion of all genders, encompassing the entire spectrum.

Learn more about the different LGBTQ+ flags and their meanings.

Experiences of pangender people—in their own words

“Pangender can mean different things to the people who use the label,” says Fernandes, “so it's always best not to assume anything about their experiences—and to ask them instead.”

“To me, it’s being literally every gender in existence (except ones that aren’t meant for me), including ones that haven been coined/discovered yet,” says one Reddit user in the r/pangender Reddit community.

Ash Brehmeyer, one of the moderators for the same community, compares it to feeling a desire for cake and ice cream at the same time—if cake represents being a woman and ice cream represents being a man. “My brain is structured in a way where I feel the need to have both. Not [a] want, but more of a need.”

Like many non-binary identities, pangender folks can face unique challenges, since they’re living in a world that is still largely structured around binary gender norms. But many describe their experiences as incredibly liberating, even so. 

“I love the freedom in this gender,” says one Reddit user. “I can be relieved of the pressure of describing the everchanging details [of my identity] while feeling seen and understood by my pangender community.”

“On a depressing, uncertain, or hopeless day I can just say to myself 'You are pangender' and feel better,” says another. “It's a box that isn't quite a box and I love it so much.”

Supporting pangender folks

There’s no universal checklist for being an ally to pangender people—since everyone has different experiences and needs. But making an active and ongoing effort to listen, learn, and advocate for the community is a solid place to start. 

“We can all work to deconstruct how we understand gender and gender expression,” adds Fernandes, “using education and self reflection to see beyond compulsory heterosexuality.”

So what does all of this actually look like?

1. Do some reading. Take a moment to learn about gender diversity and the specific experiences of pangender people (organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG, and The Trevor Project offer resources and guidance). And just try to be open-minded, always. Even if you don’t immediately understand someone’s experiences, it doesn't mean they’re not valid.

   
   

2. Ask thoughtful questions. While it’s important to do your own learning, showing curiosity about, and interest in, someone’s personal experiences can help them feel seen. You don’t want pangender folks in your life to feel interrogated, but you do want to show that you care about understanding them. 

   
   

3. Get people’s pronouns right. Since pangender is a non-binary identity, some folks use gender-neutral pronouns like they/them, or neopronouns like xe/xem and ze/zirs. Others might be happy with any and all pronouns, including she/her and he/him. And some people might change their pronouns over time. The key is simply to ask. (It’s fine if you mess up on pronouns sometimes, too—there’s no need to make a big deal of it if you do. Just correct yourself, and make a mental note to remember next time!).

   
   

4. Challenge other people’s ways of thinking. It’s really important to validate queer and gender-nonconforming folks when you’re with them, but it’s just as important to do it when they’re not around. If you hear friends or family speaking in ways that erase or devalue pangender experiences, call them in, and help educate them. Support efforts to create more inclusive spaces, too, whether at work, school or in social settings.

   
   

Pangender Pride Day is on June 19, which is a nice time for extra gestures of support—even if it’s just telling a pangender person that you see them and love them. (Of course, it’s even nicer to make that clear all year round.)

Ultimately, pangenderism is one of many evolutions in queer identity that helps break down binaries of “us” and “them”—acknowledging that multiple and even many gender realities and experiences can exist alongside each other, in a singular person. Which is beautiful.

How can you know if you’re pangender? “A lot of queer people can sometimes feel imposter syndrome when identifying a certain way,” says Fernandes, “but it’s important for people not to police themselves or try to fit into a one-size-fits-all expression of what pangender means.” In short, she summarizes, “people can know they are pangender by resonating with different gender identities and choosing to use the label if they want to.”

So whether you’re exploring your own gender identity, seeking to support someone else in theirs, or you’re just generally curious, kudos to you. Keep learning with help from Feeld’s Glossary—and download the app today for pangender-friendly dating.