Ambonec (abbreviated as AN) is a non-binary gender identity where a person identifies as both male and female, and at the same time as neither. The term derives from the Latin words ambo, meaning “both,” and nec, meaning “neither.” There are two main interpretations of ambonec: one where the individual feels trigender, embodying male, female, and a non-binary or gender-neutral identity (such as agender, maverique, or neutrois) simultaneously, and another where the individual feels a paradoxical sense of being both male and female while also feeling neither. Some people might identify as demi-ambonec, meaning their experience of this identity can change under certain circumstances.
Samira always felt caught between gender norms. Some days, they resonated with femininity, while on others, a strong masculine energy defined their presence. However, there were moments when neither identity seemed to fit, and they felt like they belonged somewhere in between. When Samira learned about ambonec, they felt a spark of recognition. “This explains why I can feel male, female, and yet none of them at once,” they realized. One evening, while discussing gender with their friend Tariq, they shared, “It’s like a paradox; I’m all these things but also none of them at the same time.” Tariq, who identified as genderqueer, nodded and said, “That sounds complex, but it makes sense if it’s how you feel.” This understanding helped Samira embrace their unique identity without feeling pressured to choose one side or blend into a binary role. Discovering ambonec allowed them to explore their sense of self with pride, knowing that others shared their experience of being simultaneously both, neither, and everything in between.