Wait, how is this a thing?

Some common trace experiences consist of:· Plurality, being a system where a headmate identifies as racially different from the body, either due to being an introject, being non-human, having pseudo-memories, etc
· Nonhumanity and Otherkin, identifying as nonhuman to some extent and therefore identifying as a nonhuman/fictional race, without race, etc
· Fictionkin, identifying as/with a fictional character/concept, and therefore identifying as a different race that matches that character
· Trauma, having experienced trauma, especially racial trauma, that causes a disconnect from race, a connection to another race, a repulsion from your own race, or otherwise
· Past lives and spirituality, believing in a past life or similar experience in which you were a different race, no race, or otherwise
· Neurodivergence, not being able to fully comprehend your own race or the idea of race in general, perceiving race more abstractly or differently, and similar experiences that may cause someone to identify their race differentlyLike other trans-x identities, trace isn't typically a controllable thing or a choice, and many trace folks experience racial dysphoria and general body-related dysphoria. This is because their current body doesn't line up with the body that aligns with their identified raceVery small but interesting trace study (only 14 participants)Similar terms include: diaethnic (also known as transethnic but that is also used for adoptees), transgeographic, and transnationality

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Basic TerminologyTrace - identifying as or with a race/races that differ from your biological race/s
Cisracial and any similar terms - often used to describe someone who identifies as their biological race and has no desire to change it, generally someone who is not trace
Tracen't - another way of referring to someone who isn't trace

Frequently Asked Questions

Isn't that cultural appropriation?There are a lot of debates around this and what is considered cultural appropriation in the context of trace people. The general consensus is that if a trace folks is approaching their identified race or culture respectfully, it could be classed more so as cultural appreciation! However, this doesn't mean a trace individual is incapable of appropriating their identified culture, it's important to be conscious of what you do with your identified culture to ensure you're using it properly and being respectful and appreciativeYou just want to say slurs don't you?Absolutely not! The vast majority of trace folks probably wouldn't even think twice before refusing to say a racial slur, because racial slurs are rooted in a race's history, experience of racism, and biological race more so than anything else. The best thing to do is just not use them! Trace folks are trace because that's just how they feel, nobody is trace just as an excuse to use slurs that most trace folks won't use either wayIsn't wanting to be another race just fetishisation?No! Wanting to be another race has nothing to do with the fetishization or romanticization of that race's experiences, it's typically an uncontrollable feeling or experience, a connection to another race or no race at all. Fetishizing a race would be viewing that race in a sexualised light, viewing it as a part of a sexual fetish, and romanticizing a race would be making being that race idealized in an unrealistic way. Trace folks often want to be another race purely because it's how they feel, not because they think there's something overtly better about that race compared to their bio race

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