beingthey

Beingthey is a term used in some online communities and activist circles to describe an approach to gender identity and pronoun use that centers nonbinary or gender-nonconforming experiences. It refers to individuals who identify with nonbinary identities and/or prefer they/them pronouns, sometimes framed as choosing to live beyond traditional gender categories. The term is not universally standardized and varies by context.

Originating in informal discourse, beingthey functions as a shorthand for a lived experience rather than a fixed label. It appears in discussions of pronoun adoption, inclusive language, and visibility for nonbinary groups. Some users treat it as a personal statement, others as a community descriptor for advocacy work.

Linguistically, the pronoun they has long served as a gender-neutral form, with rising acceptance of singular they in English. The concept of beingthey intersects with debates about grammar, autonomy, and the right to define one's own pronouns and identity.

Socially, beingthey often surfaces in education, social media, and advocacy, where it aims to reduce misgendering, harassment, and barriers for nonbinary people. It can involve sharing lived experiences, supporting peers, and pushing for inclusive policies in schools, workplaces, and media representation.

Critics may view the term as ambiguous or culturally specific. Supporters see it as a practical, affirming framework for recognizing diverse genders and for validating personal experiences of gender beyond the binary.

See also: nonbinary; gender-neutral pronouns; they/them pronouns; gender identity.