Alterhumanity
An umbrella term for identities that are experienced as alternative to the traditional human experience. This includes therians, otherkin, fictionkin, and other identity experiences that involve a deep sense of being non-human or other-than-human.
In depth
Alterhumanity (also written as alterhuman identity) is an umbrella term that encompasses all identities experienced as alternative to the conventional human experience. This includes therians (who identify with real animals), otherkin (who identify with mythical or fictional beings), fictionkin, phytanthropes (who identify with plants), and other identity experiences that involve a deep sense of being non-human or other-than-human.
The term was coined to provide an inclusive framework that respects the diversity of non-human identity experiences without erasing the distinctions between them. A therian, an elf-kin, and a dragon-kin may have very different experiences, but they share the common thread of having an identity that extends beyond the conventional human norm.
Alterhumanity is not about belief systems, mental health diagnoses, or lifestyle choices. It is a descriptive term for a category of identity experiences. People within the alterhuman community emphasize self-discovery, honest introspection, and mutual respect for the wide variety of ways in which non-human identity can be experienced.
Examples
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A community forum for alterhuman individuals includes subsections for therians, otherkin, fictionkin, and other alterhuman identities, providing resources and support for all.
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A researcher studying non-human identity uses "alterhuman" as an inclusive academic term that covers the full spectrum of experiences without privileging one community over another.
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An individual who identifies with both a real animal (theriotype) and a mythical creature (kintype) finds the alterhuman label useful for describing their overall identity experience.
Common Questions
Is alterhuman a new term?
The term is relatively recent, emerging in the 2010s as the community sought inclusive language that could encompass the growing diversity of non-human identity experiences beyond the traditional therian and otherkin labels.
Do all therians identify as alterhuman?
Not necessarily. While therianthropy falls under the alterhuman umbrella, some therians prefer to use only the term "therian" and do not actively identify with the broader alterhuman label. The choice is personal.
What types of identities fall under alterhumanity?
Alterhumanity includes therianthropy, otherkin identities (dragons, elves, fae, etc.), fictionkin (identification with fictional characters), phytanthropy (plant identification), voidpunk, and other non-standard identity experiences. The umbrella is intentionally broad and inclusive.
Related Terms
Therianthropy
A deep, intrinsic identification with a non-human animal. Derived from the Greek θηρίον (therion, "beast") and ἄνθρωπος (anthropos, "human"). Therians experience their animal identity as a core part of who they are, not a choice or a hobby.
Read more →Otherkin
A broader community of individuals who identify as non-human entities — including mythical creatures (elves, dragons), fictional characters, or other non-earthly beings. Therians are sometimes considered a subset of otherkin, though the communities overlap.
Read more →Kintype
The specific entity an otherkin identifies with, similar to how "theriotype" is used for therians. A kintype can be a mythological creature, fictional character, or any non-human being.
Read more →Species Dysphoria
A feeling of discomfort or distress arising from the mismatch between one's physical human body and the body of one's theriotype. Not all therians experience species dysphoria, and its intensity varies widely.
Read more →