malepresenting

Malepresenting refers to the degree to which a person presents themselves in ways culturally associated with male gender norms. It is a facet of gender expression, encompassing clothing, grooming, voice, behavior, posture, and social roles that are commonly coded as masculine. Malepresenting is not a declaration of a person’s sex assigned at birth or their gender identity; it can occur across a range of identities, including cisgender men, transgender men, nonbinary people, and others.

In practice, malepresenting can vary by context, culture, and individual preference. Some people may adopt a consistently male-presenting appearance, while others switch between presentations in different settings. Cultural standards of masculinity differ widely, so what counts as malepresenting in one community may not in another. Researchers sometimes study gender expression, including malepresenting, to understand how presentation influences social interactions, discrimination, safety, or access to spaces and opportunities.

People may choose malepresenting for personal comfort, alignment with gender identity, or protective reasons. Conversely, some individuals may experience misgendering or mistreatment when their presentation does not fit others’ expectations. It is important to recognize that malepresenting is about outward presentation and does not reliably indicate a person’s internal sense of gender or their sexual orientation.

See also: gender expression, masculine presentation, masculine coding, transgender and nonbinary identities.