Non-Binary Nuances
Photo courtesy of Cascade AIDS Project
I, along with many of you, grew up with an understanding of gender that encompassed solely the umbrella terms of “girl” and “boy”. Throughout elementary school, the boys would run around at recess, playing dodgeball or getting into random scuffles, while girls tended to sit around and talk with one another. Sometimes, a girl would wander over to play with the guys or vice-versa, a phenomenon everyone usually regarded as weird. This is because, generally, our modern society tends to revolve around a rigid gender binary (meaning “two”) that sorts biological males and biological females into different groups in regards both to how they should physically present (the kind of clothes or accessories they should wear) and how they should act (men should like trucks and construction work, women should like painting. etc.). Because we are often raised to believe these are our natural roles in society, many tend to naturally conform to such standards, often never understanding the degree to which we have all been conditioned to view being a “boy” or “girl” as such static things. In reality, we are all inherently different people, a sentiment which rings especially true for those who are unable to exist within the standards society has set for us. I am speaking, of course, of non-binary people, individuals who do not identify as solely men or women, instead choosing to embrace an identity somewhere in-between, one that changes with time, or something else entirely (Human Rights Campaign 1). The term “non-binary” literally implies a break from the aforementioned binary, in which a person casts down the standards forced upon them by their biological sex and instead manifests their identity as something separate from what is usually accepted. A key detail of being non-binary is that this particualr identfier in no way serves to contradict one’s biological state of being male, female, or intersex. Where some would argue that it is impossible to change your DNA or “what’s in your pants”, being non-binary has never stood to deny our innate sex, and instead influences our gender (or social manifestation of our identiy in relation to the gender binary, whether we choose to conform to it or not) (Human Rights Campaign 1).
Non-binary people undoubtedly undergo some period of change in order to better acquaint themselves with their true gender identity, which raises a need to provide a distinction between them and those that are transgender. Transgender individuals are people who actively embrace an identity separate from the one they’ve been given as a result of their biological sex (Human Rights Campaign 1), which may sound incredibly similar to our definition of being non-binary. Clearly, there is quite a bit of overlap between the two; both groups of people may choose to undergo surgery or other medical processes to better align their bodies with their perceived identities (but by no means need to in order to maintain a valid identity) while said identities are distinct from our gender binary. Regardless, there currently exists a debate as to whether non-binary people “count” as transgender, but this conversation honestly falls to your definition of the two terms. According to the dictionary, though, an individual can exist with one or both of these identifiers according to their personal situation, and, while some non-binary people feel they are transgender, there are plenty of indivduals who do not, just like how there are transgender people who identify as nonbinary while others choose not to (National Center for Transgender Equality 1).
Whether you yourself are an active and open member of the LGBTQIA+ community or this all has sounded incredibly foreign, it is possible for everyone to support non-binary people. A general rule of thumb is that all people deserve respect in regards to their identity, as it is a key part of who they are which they have no control of (National Center for Transgender Equality 1). Whether you understand their identity or not, it is still important to respect and acknowledge them. Included within the sphere of respecting others is the utilization of their selected name or pronouns. While their name/pronouns may differ from how you used to refer to the person in question, choosing to embrace their new identity will make them as comfortable as possible (National Center for Transgender Equality 1). Coupled with this is the breaking of most peoples’ habit of automatically assuming someone’s gender identity. Just like how some people pursue surgery to alter their bodies so they better fit the physical manifestation of their identity, many choose not to for a variety of reasons. That being said, they still live with their identity even if their bodies may not line up with what you personally view as a match to their expressed gender. Regardless, their identity is unchanged by your opinion, so remain conscious of the fact that people may identify in a way that does not match what you yourself see in them (National Center for Transgender Equality 1). Lastly, work to constantly expand your understanding of sexuality and gender, as a diverse worldview can only better your ability to work with and support others. The future of acceptance is in education, and we should be pursuing a world in which we can all live equally and freely.
Citations
“Glossary of Terms.” HRC, https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms.
“Understanding Non-Binary People: How to Be Respectful and Supportive.” National Center for Transgender Equality, 4 Sept. 2020, https://transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-non-binary-people-how-to-be-respectful-and-supportive.