mythologythey

mythologythey is a coined term used in contemporary folklore studies and speculative fiction to describe a evolving set of mythic narratives in which nonbinary and gender-nonconforming characters occupy central roles. It is not a single tradition but a field of discourse that intersects with queer theory, folklore studies, and creative writing. The term emphasizes inclusive language and the reframing of deities, heroes, and creatures through nonbinary perspectives.

The coinage appears in late 2010s online discourse, gaining traction in fan communities, zines, and critical essays that experiment with pronouns and identity in myth. Because there is no single canonical text, works labeled mythologythey are often retellings, reinterpretations of classical myths, or original myths crafted to reflect gender plurality. The label serves as a flexible umbrella rather than a fixed canon.

Scope and motifs commonly include reinterpretations of gods and spirits with fluid or multiple genders, stories that examine community and interdependence across difference, and critiques of rigid binary hierarchies. Proponents argue that mythologythey expands imaginative horizons and aligns mythic imagery with contemporary experiences of gender. Critics caution that the term can be overly broad or speculative, and that it may risk conflating diverse traditions if applied without careful context.

Reception and significance: in academic and literary discussions, mythologythey functions as a lens for examining language, power, and embodiment in storytelling. It can serve as a heuristic for analyzing how myths adapt to social change or as a creative framework for writers exploring a spectrum of gender identities.