By: Micah Fletcher (they/them)
Defining “agender” identity is challenging because, by its nature, this gender identity resists definition. How do you describe agender identity, agender identity, or genderless identity? Every individual person will have their own unique experience of their gender. Some agender people identify as somewhere in the middle of gender or as belonging to several genders. Some of us identify as being completely outside of the gender binary.
What does transition mean for an agender person?
For agender people, the concept of transition may hold a distinct meaning. It might be different from the experiences of other transgender and/or nonbinary people. For example, some people choose to change their names and pronouns, while others feel that these traits are of zero value and don’t need to be changed.
An agender person’s transition may also have elements in common with other people’s transitions, such as gender-affirming surgery or gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT, sometimes also called hormone replacement therapy or HRT). For myself, making the changes that were meaningful to me and ensuring that my loved ones had enough to be supportive was important to my experience.
Transition is often described as a journey that leads from gender dysphoria to gender euphoria for those who identify as transgender or genderless. Gender dysphoria is the feeling of being uncomfortable in your body or feeling that your body is misaligned with your identity. Gender euphoria is the opposite of that. The word “euphoria” comes from the Greek word “euphoros,” which means “healthy.” While some people describe euphoria as overwhelming bliss, Plume considers this experience more in medical terms. For example, if you feel healthy, you’re experiencing euphoria. Gender euphoria is a sense of well-being that is linked to your gender identity.
While everyone’s experience of gender euphoria is unique, many folks in our community say that gender euphoria feels like being comfortable in their own skin. Not all of us experience the negative aspects of gender, but all of us know what it’s like to feel “right” in our bodies. Think of gender euphoria as the sense of ease you feel after recovering from a long illness or an injury. All of a sudden, you can enjoy your body again, use your abilities at full capacity, and trust that your body will support you. That’s a type of euphoria, too.
Finding non-clinical support for your agender transition
If you don’t have a gender, or if you’re agender, you can also experience gender euphoria. This may include clinical and non-clinical support. Plume does help many nonbinary people, agender people, and folks outside of the binary spectrum during their transition process.
For a start, most of us tend to prefer a specific pronoun, or set of pronouns. Some folks may even experience preferences towards certain pronouns during particular periods of their lives. For example, someone may feel comfortable using “she/her” pronouns for a while. Later, they might prefer to use “it/they” later. The change in pronouns might be a personal preference. It can also be attached to any number of physical, emotional, or other feelings. It can also be a simple arbitrary reason, conjured up entirely from the person’s heart. What feels right, is right.
Another aspect of our transition, in my experience, tends to focus on fitting the image that we feel matches who we are. Some agender people mix and match different styles of clothing, accessories, and other aesthetics. These aesthetics may tend to be a mix of feminine and masculine. Many agender people center their identity, blurring/eliminating the gender binary as much as possible. For folks like this, a key part of our identity revolves around creating a gender non-conforming (GNC) look so that we can communicate who we are visually. Now, this is not always the case. For some agender people, aesthetics can mean very little. It all depends on the person and how they see themselves, and what brings them closer to lining up with an affirming image.
Finding clinical support for your agender transition
Another aspect of transition that affects the lives of many trans people is hormones. Agender people are no exception. Testosterone, estrogen, spironolactone, T-blockers, and progesterone are all common medications associated with gender-affirming hormone therapy. These hormones can produce any number of effects. Because the body is as much a part of ourselves as how we look, many agender people elect to take hormones to feel more themselves. This typically includes estrogen and/or progesterone (which are most commonly associated with MTF transition) and testosterone (which is most commonly associated with FTM transition), depending on the effect the individual desires.
Although none of these hormones are in any way required for anyone’s transition to be valid, agender people might find gender-affirming medications desirable because GAHT helps sculpt their bodies into an image that better fits their self-identity. If you are a Member, your Care Team can help you understand which medications may work best for you. Plume supports all kinds of people and transitions by creating unique, personalized care plans that support your health and your transition goals.
Explore the spectrum of your agender identity
It is so important to remember that as an agender person, all of these things are simply possibilities. The spectrum of feelings, perspectives, identities, and expressions you experience are diverse and genuine. Some agender people need to go through radical changes in order to experience the euphoria they are seeking. Other agender people’s identities come from a more cerebral place. From an agender perspective, all of these are equally valid. Simple changes such as pronouns seem more than sufficient for some members of the agender community. Others need to work with their Care Team to explore GAHT. Both types of needs deserve to be supported.
For me, at the center of being agender is a desire to attain maximum positive mental health. It’s about trying to feel good and at home in my body. Instead of constantly fighting, my transition is through the pursuit of gender euphoria. No matter what it looks like, ultimately, I believe that if an agender person follows their heart, they will reach the desired feeling. It isn’t about doing what is right for others. It’s about honoring oneself in the pursuit of becoming the people you truly are.
Micah Fletcher (they/them) is an award-winning poet whose writing appears in NAILED Magazine and other publications. Fletcher lives in Portland, Oregon.
As the largest provider of gender-affirming care for the trans and nonbinary community, Plume is committed to providing information about many types of information, including questions about hormones like estrogen and testosterone, gender transitioning tips and experiences, and guidance on social transition and self care.
While we strive to include a diverse range of voices and expertise, not everything will be for every person. Each individual’s experience is unique, and the information Plume provides is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always first seek the advice of your primary and/or specialist physician, the Plume Care Team, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, your mental health and emotional needs, or your health care needs regarding gender-affirming hormone therapy. If you are experiencing an emergency, including a mental health crisis, call 911 or reach out to Trans LifeLine.
