One of my partners identifies as an alien* as a type of non-human identity, and is struggling to find a good word to describe themself.

(therian and otherkin don't really work, or imply "animal")

If anyone knows of any existing words, even very niche ones, that folks have used to describe similar identities, they'd love to hear it! (they want to try to flag up themself for others of similar identity like how therians can!)

* specifically they described themself to me as "a space jellyfish, an amphibian alien with tendrils, an alien arachnoid succubus, and a parasitic brain insect"

@SyntheticAutumn
Maybe Xenogender, then?

@knightly666 They do also identify as Xenogender, but wanted to add some sort of species or the like term, or a blanket term for like non-human! That said, your suggestions are very appreciated!!

@SyntheticAutumn alterkin?

@SyntheticAutumn voidpunk definitely has room for alien entities, it's specifically about identifying that way as a reclamation of dehumanisation faced by eg disabled people, PoC, aces/aros, neurodivergent people, and so on, but it's a pretty broad group - also can include things like robot identities, ghosts/paranormals, fae/changelings, and more. so that might suit.

@yayroos that’s so very cool, thank you for sharing that!!!

@SyntheticAutumn this unit uses 'alterhuman' as a descriptor for itself! the term is used similarly to 'therian', but avoids connotations specific to animal identities. it also recalls 'voidpunk' is a descriptor for [nonhuman identities, willful rejection of humanity]. it hopes these descriptors are useful to your partner!

@SyntheticAutumn query: is the intent with specific identity terms to [reaffirm internal identity, find commonality with others, create a concise external descriptor]?

in cases[0], this unit infers the terms can be abstract, because they're mostly for internal use. it offers ['outsider', 'visitor'] as {identifiers for aliens from cosmic horror} and suggests deriving a name from what brings them to this corner of space-time, if that is known.

in cases[1], this unit is unsure! it recommends recommends the partner search for communities tagged ['alterhuman', 'voidpunk'] to find like-minded others who can answer more precisely.

in cases[2], this unit recommends consuming fiction containing entities like themselves and adopting descriptors used for those characters. those descriptors will be written targetting a primarily human audience, and should be easily understood by others.

this unit hopes this helps!

@catgirl_so @SyntheticAutumn seconding “voidpunk”; that’s been my preferred self-descriptor for a few years now. i don’t consider myself therian or otherkin (despite my online persona seeming furry/therian-adjacent). if your partner needs something more nuanced: paradoxpunk adopts a paradoxical identity of being simultaneously human and non-human. voidpunk, and its derived identities, have an association to agender/aroace communities but i don’t think it’s necessary to using the descriptor.

xenogender is an umbrella term for a lot of nonbinary identities and this may feel comfier if they’re just looking for something to find a community.

there are also the keno(choric) identities which incorporate other aspects into a nonhuman identity, but i’m not as familiar.

@catgirl_so That unit has done an excellent job of describing the potential use cases here!! Good bot!!

cases[1] is the primary intent of our partner! And alterhuman and voidpunk (along with terms others have suggested) are exactly the kind of terms our partner has been seeking!

That one’s point about cases[2] fiction consumption is an excellent one too for our partner’s secondary desires with this search!