A term for aspects/categories of identity that human society does not have.

-

Xenoaspect can be used to describe a category of identity (obviously), a specific identity, or a person who has such an identity.

I am intentionally avoiding writing out a specific set of guidelines for what "counts" as xenoaspect beyond the basic definition. If you feel that this label can help you describe your experience, then it is for you.

-

there are things i can do to alleviate species dysphoria sometimes. the physical aspects (horns, claws, furry legs and hooves, even fangs) can all be simulated in some way and relieve the physical dysphoria. but what about the dysphoria that's deeper than physical? that's caused by lacking the magic that is a heavy part of who i am? that's caused by lacking the nonphysical caste and magic indicators that anyone who sees me or just walks into the same room should be able to identify me by?

My kind had "castes" - a social categorization that could sort of be compared to sex or gender, but was distinctly not either of those. We had them too and they were seperate from caste. One's caste was identifiable by a feature on the head that human bodies do not have.

Despite that, I am still my caste- still a vel. That still means something to me. I have a whole tag on this blog about it. (Most of the posts in that tag are silly, but that is because being silly is like, a Vel Thing™.)

...But since it means nothing to most, it also hardly seems worth mentioning. It feels so strange. This was once socially important, relevant. Now it is important and relevant only to me and the few others of my kind that exist, only one of whom I know personally.

Obesk caste xenoaspect flags