Gender Nonconformity

Gender nonconformity is an umbrella term that refers to gender expressions and/or identities that do not conform to conventional gender norms, which are contingent upon time and location [Page 320](e.g., what is gender nonconforming in one place or at one point in time may be conforming in another). Generally, this is rooted in how one’s expression or behavior is perceived by others or in how a person perceives themselves within a given society, with its unique gender norms and stereotypes. The term is sometimes used to refer to cisgender (cis) people whose gender expression does not conform to gender stereotypes. To attend to this nuance, this entry briefly discusses understandings of gender nonconformity across history, life span issues, adverse experiences, and pop culture.

In the 2015 ...