User blog:BloomPupz/Egogender

Note
This identity can now be found on the MOGAI article. This blog post remains as a page specifically/exclusively for the egogender identity.

- Bloom (they/them)

Egogender
Egogender is a gender identity in which one one identifies simply as oneself, or as a gender which is exclusive to them. It is a gender so personal that it can only truly be described as one's own gender. No two egogender people share the same gender, even if they identify under the same label. The "gender" suffix can be replaced with another gender (example: egogirl). Egogender is an example of a xenogender.

Etymology
The term "egogender" is comprised of the prefix "ego-", which derives from the Latin ego, meaning "I," and "gender." Therefore, "egogender" literally means "me-gender" or "my gender."

The term "charagender" seems to derive from the words "character" and "gender," but this is unconfirmed.

The term "[Name]gender" is simply intended as a placeholder for the name of the individual, with "gender" alongside it. For example, someone named Sam may identify as Samgender.

History
It is difficult to pinpoint the origins of the concept of having one's own personal, unique gender. However, the term "egogender" itself was coined as late as August 25, 2014, by Tumblr user queerspike. Non-binary children will also often describe their gender using only their name. In the 2020 Gender Census, four respondents stated that they were egogender. In the 2021 Gender Census, two respondents stated that they were egogender. Over 1% of respondents in the 2021 Gender Census described their identity with something along the lines of "I'm just me," "just [my name]," etc.

Examples of individuals who describe themselves as their own gender, or as a gender that is simply themselves, include poet and writer Eileen Myles, as well as drag queen Valentina. Myles has described their identity in many different ways, such as "gender queer," a "gender knot," and more. In a 2015 interview, they described themself as "the gender of Eileen." Valentina, similarly, described her gender by saying, "I identify as nonbinary. I don’t completely feel like a man, I don’t completely feel like a woman. I feel like a goddess. I feel like I’m my own gender."

Flag
The first known egogender flag was created by Tumblr user samemems on November 4, 2014. The stripe meanings were never specified. Alongside the egogender flag, they designed an egoguy, egogirl, and egononbinary flag. The bottom stripe was changed for each gender variation of the flag. In the egoguy flag, the stripe was a lighter, less saturated blue. In the egogirl flag, the stripe was pink. In the egononbinary flag, the stripe was yellow. It's unclear whether the stripes are different sizes purposefully or as a result of oversight. Another egogender flag was created by Tumblr user momma-mogai-sphinx on August 28, 2020. The flag was made per the request of an anonymous Tumblr user. The stripe meanings are as follows:


 * Purple: Individuality
 * Blue: Peace and understanding
 * Yellow: Clarity

Genderless
Egogender individuals may be assumed to be inherently genderless. However, while some egogender individuals may consider themselves to be genderless, this is not always the case. An egogender individual may describe themselves as having no gender, and being only themselves, but an egogender person may also simply feel that their gender is unique to them.

Unlabeled
While some individuals who fit the definition of egogender may consider themselves to be unlabeled, this is not always the case. Additionally, some may identify with the egogender, charagender, or [Name]gender label, while others may simply say "I'm my own gender," "I'm just me," or something similar.

Controversy
''If there has been a specific variety of this identity-phobic discourse that has led to discrediting it please detail that here. If there have been similar -phobic discourses around popular flags, it can also be documented in this section.''

Perceptions and discrimination
''This section focuses more on the specific kinds of discrimination and oppression that these people may face. Examples would be mentioning systematic transphobia and non-binary erasure on the page for egogender, mentioning rates of mental health issues in this group, etc.''