With transgender people becoming more visible, so must the visibility of those that do not identify within the gender binary. The gender binary is the concept that only the genders of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ exist. This vastly oversimplifies how many experience gender. To help visualize this, many say gender is much like a spectrum. Many think of gender as if it is only the traditional pink or blue. However, gender is much more like this.
Before we continue, it must be noted that when talking about gender not to conflate it with one's biological sex. Gender identity is "One's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither -- how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth."
To further understand some of the science behind being transgender watch these videos: What Does the Transgender Brain Look Like?, Science Says There Are More Than Two Genders and Does Gender Even Matter?. To explore your personal sense of gender, check out the genderbread person.
Genders that do not fall within the gender binary are referred to as ‘nonbinary’ genders. One non-binary gender identity that is comparatively well-known is ‘genderqueer.’ However, not all no-nbinary people directly identify as genderqueer and vice versa.
Under the non-binary umbrella exists many identities such as but not limited to: demigenders, genderfluid, neutrois, bigender, agender and so many more! These identities may also be used in any combination of ways. One may also express their gender in any number of ways.
There also exists the question of, are those who identify as non-binary transgender? To answer the question broadly, yes.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fifth Edition, the DSM-5, defines Gender Dysphoria (essentially being transgender) as: “for a person to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria there must be a marked difference between the individual’s expressed/experienced gender and the gender others would assign him or her, and it must continue for at least six months. In children, the desire to be of the other gender must be present and verbalized. This condition causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Gender dysphoria is manifested in a variety of ways, including strong desires to be treated as the other gender or to be rid of one’s sex characteristics, or a strong conviction that one has feelings and reactions typical of the other gender.”
Does every person with a non-binary gender identify as transgender? No. As the article 10 Myths About Non-binary People It’s Time to Unlearn states, “not everyone who is non-binary identifies as trans. Not everyone who isn’t solely male or female identifies as non-binary either. And agender people sometimes dislike the words non-binary and trans because they have the implication of gender within them.”
But what pronouns do you use for people that identify as non-binary? It depends on the person. Some use ‘she/her/hers’ pronouns. Some use ‘he/him/his’ pronouns. And others use gender-neutral pronouns.
I am one of these people. Out of all of the gender-neutral pronouns in use, my pronouns are singular ‘they/them/their’ pronouns. To find out what pronouns someone uses, just ask and be polite. For a basic understanding of how some pronouns may work, please refer to the infographic below for an introduction. Please note (as the infographic states): that there are many more pronouns than what are listed.
Gender is not a linear system and the binary does not work for everyone and that's OK. Diversity in gender brings forth a plethora of experiences that broaden society's (especially within western cultures) narrow views. There is no one way to be gender non-binary just as there is no one way to fit into binary genders.
