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Maverique

"Maverique" is a label coined in 2014 by Tumblr user Vesper H. for a gender that is independent of masculinity and femininity (W). Critics see it as an example of how new identities arise by naming; supporters see it as a non-binary identity in its own right.

Definition according to proponents

A gender independent of masculinity, femininity or a combination of the two: not without gender (like agender) and not neutral (like neutrois), but an inner conviction about the self of its own. The word derives from the English maverick with the French suffix -ique (W).

Origin

According to Dictionary.com, Vesper H. coined the term on Tumblr in 2014 to describe their own identity (W). The term was then taken up in online glossaries; it does not appear in DSM-5-TR, ICD-11 or WPATH SOC8. See the spread since 2010.

Criticism: a category by naming

Critics note that one person named a new category, which was then taken up as if it had always existed. This is possible because the only source is the self-description; whoever coins a new label tomorrow can invoke the same precedent. Kathleen Stock (Material Girls, 2021) criticises the theory that gender identity should weigh more heavily in society than biological sex.

There is no measurable marker that confirms or refutes the claim; the only source is self-report. See also circular reasoning and unfalsifiability.

What the sources say about treatment

The Cass Review (2024) calls care for young people with gender dysphoria "an area of remarkably weak evidence" and writes that only three guidelines address the treatment of non-binary young people: the Swedish and Norwegian ones do not recommend hormone treatment for this group because of a lack of evidence, whereas WPATH does recommend tailored hormone treatment (source). SBU (2022) found the evidence insufficient to assess the effects of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones (source). See also detransition research.

Related identities

• Aporagender — virtually identical claim, also 2014.

• Xenogender — broader "different kind" umbrella.

• Non-binary — umbrella.

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