Here we hope to answer some basic questions about what a Neutrois identity is and what it isn’t.
Who invented the term “Neutrois” and when?
It was originally coined by Holly A. Burnham in 1995. Holly was active on Usenet groups at the time. Ze formed it to give a name to hirself, and other people with feelings of gender absence and resulting misalignment. The term is derived from the Latin root neuter and French trois, meaning “three”. The plural form of neutrois is the same as the singular. See our About Us Page to learn about the Neutrois symbol Ø
Genderless or Gender-Neutral?
Some neutrois do feel completely genderless – that is, they have no gender, an absence of gender, or are null gendered. Others have an internal gender that is neither male, nor female, just neutral. Agender is a term used interchangeably for both. So while the prefix a- in agender may hint at a “lack of,” neutrois and agender do not always signify a lack of gender.
Is Neutrois the same as Androgyne?
No. Neutrois people may present as androgynous in appearance (partly male and partly female) but they are not Androgynes. In fact they are the opposite of Androgyne.
As you can see in the above image, there are four very basic gender classifications: Male, Female, Androgyne (which combines male and female in varying degrees) and Undifferentiated (neither male nor female, again in varying degrees).
‘Undifferentiated’ people (known socially as Non-binary or Neutrois) cannot be placed in the traditional gender spectrum (or rainbow) of “male or female”, or “male and female” that are designed to measure above median gender scores.
Are Neutrois people Non-Binary?
Yes! However not all non-binary people are Neutrois. There is distinction between the two. Generally (but not always), Neutrois people suffer from a greater degree of gender dysphoria than non-binary people and seek surgery to lose the major physical signifiers that indicate gender to others (breasts, facial and body hair, crotch bulges, etc). The most extreme surgery is genital nullification (removal of all genitalia). Such people can be described as Eunuchs.
Are Eunuchs Neutrois?
Technically yes, although they may not identify as Neutrois.
How many Neutrois people are there?
Actually more people than you may think. It’s just not as mainstream or as well known as other gender identities. You can read about the experiences of other people who identify as some flavor of neutrois.
Self Identity
Lastly, and most importantly, you have the right to self identify however you wish. There is no gender police here – nobody to tell you what you are, how you are, or how you’re supposed to be. If you feel Neutrois is a label, word, concept, term, or identity that fits you in any way, take it as yours. There are as many ways of experiencing and expressing your gender as there are people.
Check out this list of useful resources and explore what else is out there.
Next Page: Transition