X-Gender (Xジェンダー (x-jendā), or エックスジェンダー (ekkusu-jendā)), is a Japanese term for a non-binary/genderqueer gender that is most commonly attributed to the transgender community of Japan, and later China, used to describe someone who is neither male nor female.[1] In April and May of 2019, Japan LGBT Research Institute Inc. conducted an online survey, in which 2.5% of these respondents called themselves X-gender[2]. It is used in terms such as FTX and MTX, which refer to a divergent or unknown destination from the transitional paths of FTM and MTF. One could also say they are XTX, which could be used for someone who is intersex or someone who does not want to acknowledge their assigned gender. The term likely originated due to the option to put "X" as one's gender on forms instead of "F" or "M".
X-gender is used as a identity and as an umbrella term. There are several categories of gender that fall under X-gender. Generally, there are thought to be four: neutral (中性), which is between male and female; bigender (両性), which is both male and female; genderfluid (不定性), which changes between genders in different situations; and agender (無性), which has no gender.[3] Though, there is no need for one to be bound by these four categories. There are also neutral or bigender identities in which male is dominant, which may be called male X-gender. When female is dominant, it is referred to as female X-gender.
X-gender is usually credited to Japan and as a specific gender identity is usually considered exclusive to Japan or the Japanese language. Though, as a general concept it is not exclusive to Japan. Other countries like Australia, Germany, and the UK, have the option for people to identify as X on document instead of F or M, same as in Japan.
Flags
The flag appears to have been designed by Xgen December 19, 2016.[4] The flag was designed to be very simple. It uses the colors of the non-binary flag in the shape of an X.
The Japan's X-gender flag was designed by Bitzr. Black represents the absence of gender. White represents people with many or all genders. Purple represents those whose gender identity falls somewhere between male/female or is a mix of them. Grey represents semi-genderless. Green represents those who are intersex, transitioning, or see themselves as having a neutral or undefined gender. Yellow represents those whose gender falls outside of and without reference to the binary order. Light pink & blue represents those who are transgender.[5]
Resources
- ↑ https://genderqueerid.com/post/46526429887/selected-links-on-non-binary-gender-in-japan
- ↑ https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/12/bf50b5f548d5-most-people-in-japan-know-lgbt-but-understanding-limited.html
- ↑ Gender identity as unspecified - Qualitative classification of MTX and FTX - Journal of the GID (Gender Identity Disorder) Society, 3 (1), pp. 44 - 45. (佐々木掌子 (2010). 規定されないものとしてのジェンダー・アイデンティティ－MTXとFTXの質的分類－ GID（性同一性障害）学会雑誌, 3(1), pp.44-45.)
- ↑ https://ask-pride-color-schemes.tumblr.com/post/154655970879/image-white-background-with-a-large-x-over-it
- ↑ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japan_X-Gender_Flag_-_Art_by_TheBitzr.png
