Genderfluid identity: The role of friendships in the experience, understanding, and expression of fluctuating gender

Genderfluid describes both a gender experience and a specific identity that is defined by recurrent fluctuations in gender over time. Several studies that have utilized gender-inclusive demographic surveys have found genderfluid identity to be one of the most common gender variant identities reported. Despite this, there have been no studies that have centered genderfluid persons. Genderfluid persons have been included in former research, but their presence has been as a subset of a larger sample of transgender or nonbinary persons. When narratives about genderfluidity have been provided in these studies, they have typically focused on the description of gender fluctuations. This study sought to expand understanding of genderfluidity through exploring it in an interpersonal context, through looking at how genderfluid persons describe the interaction of their gender and friendships.

Participants in this study were seven individuals who identified as genderfluid and reported recurrent gender fluctuations over time. They engaged in interviews that focused on exploring their gender identity and gender-related experiences in the context of friendships. Responses were analyzed for shared experiences across participant responses. Five primary themes, along with associated subordinate themes, are presented, discussed, and supported by quotes from the participants’ interviews. I highlighted the impact of poor visibility and limited resources for genderfluid persons on participants’ development of self-understanding and their relationships with friends. I emphasized the need for further studies that center genderfluidity and other specific nuanced gender experiences that fall under the larger transgender nonbinary umbrella. Research and clinical implications of results were also discussed.