Non-Binary

The non-binary flag

What is non-binary?

Non-binary (also called genderqueer) is a spectrum of gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or feminine‍, hence these are identities that are outside the gender binary. People who don’t neatly fit into the categories of “man” or “woman”/ “male” or “female” come under this gender spectrum. Non-binary identities may be considered to fall under the transgender umbrella, since many non-binary people identify with a gender that is different from their assigned sex. Another term for non-binary is enby (from the abbreviation NB).

Non-binary people may identify as having two or more genders (being bigender or trigender; they can also be non-binary+ another gender, such as non-binary female); having no gender (agender, nongendered, genderless, genderfree or neutrois); moving between genders or having a fluctuating gender identity (genderfluid), or being third gender or other-gendered (a category that includes those who do not place a name to their gender).

Non-binary gender identities are not associated with a specific gender expression, such as androgyny. Non-binary people as a group have a wide variety of gender expressions, and some may reject gender “identities” altogether. Some non-binary people can undergo medical treatment for gender dysphoria with surgery or hormones.

Gender identity is separate from sexual or romantic orientation, and non-binary people have a variety of sexual orientations, just as cisgender people do.

What are the different categories of non-binary people?

1. Agender: Agender, also called genderless, gender-free, non-gendered or ungendered, are those who identify as having no gender or being without a gender identity. Agender people have no specific set of pronouns; singular they is typically used, but it is not the default.
2. Bi-gender: Bi-gender includes any two gender identities and behaviors. Identifying as bigender is typically understood to mean that one identifies as both male and female or moves between masculine gender expression and feminine gender expression, having two distinct gender identities simultaneously or fluctuating between them. This is different from identifying as genderfluid, as those who identify as genderfluid may not go back and forth between any fixed gender identities and may experience an entire range or spectrum of identities over time.
3. Demigender: Demigender is a gender identity of a person identifying partially or mostly with one gender and at the same time with another gender. There are several subcategories of this identity. For more information, check out our post on demigender-ism here. 
4. Genderfluid: Genderfluid people often express a desire to remain flexible about their gender identity rather than committing to a single definition. They may fluctuate between different gender expressions over their lifetime, or express multiple aspects of various gender markers at the same time. A genderfluid individual may also identify as bigender – shifting between masculine and feminine, or as trigender – shifting between these and third gender. Pangender may be defined as being more than one gender, or it may describe a person who feels they are a member of all genders at the same time.

What are the pronouns that non-binary people prefer?

Non-binary people can use any pronoun they desire to use. The majority of Non-binary people commonly use the gender-neutral “They/Them” pronouns, but since pronouns do not always correspond to gender, they can use any pronouns. For example, a nonbinary person who is feminine may use she/her pronouns due to being comfortable with such. Some may use all/any pronouns, and not have a preference. Some may prefer “they” pronouns but are okay with any. Some reclaim it/its pronouns while some even use Neopronouns, such as xe, zey, per, jie, and or Ne/nim/nis pronouns.

Here’s why you should respect and use one’s preferred pronouns while referring to them: It’s not that much harder to use the singular “they” to refer to people whose gender identity is not well described by male or female (i.e Enby). It is, however, far more polite than misgendering them because it’s easier than respecting their identity.

Are intersex people non-binary?

Intersex people are often assigned a gender at birth. This means that although they have a range of specific needs different from cis people, they may be overlooked because of their gender assigned at birth. Some intersex people may also identify as non-binary and feel that non-binary communities are safe spaces where they can feel included. However, this isn’t always the case and the term intersex is not synonymous with non-binary.

How to be respectful and supportive of non-binary people: a guide

1. You don’t have to understand what it means for someone to be non-binary to respect them. Korean is a language that not a lot of people understand. However, this doesn’t mean one denies the existence of the Korean language. Similarly, some people haven’t heard a lot about non-binary genders or have trouble understanding them, and that’s okay. But identities that some people don’t understand still deserve respect. 
2. Use the name a person asks you to use. This is one of the most critical aspects of being respectful of a non-binary person, as the name you may have been using may not reflect their gender identity. Don’t ask someone what their old name was, unless they have given you permission to do so.
3. Try not to make any assumptions about people’s gender. You can’t tell if someone is non-binary simply by looking at them, just like how you can’t tell if someone is transgender just by how they look- don’t judge a book by its cover.
4. If you’re not sure what pronouns someone uses, ask. Different non-binary people may use different pronouns. Many non-binary people use “they” while others use “he” or “she,” and still others use other pronouns. Asking whether someone should be referred to as “he,” “she,” “they,” or another pronoun may feel awkward at first, but is one of the simplest and most important ways to show respect for someone’s identity.
5. Advocate for non-binary friendly policies. It’s important for non-binary people to be able to live, dress, and have their gender respected at work, at school, and in their environment.
6. Understand that, for many non-binary people, figuring out which bathroom to use can be challenging. For many non-binary people, using either the women’s or the men’s room might feel unsafe, because others may verbally harass them or even physically attack them. Support non-binary by letting them restroom that they believe they will be safest in.
7. Talk to non-binary people to learn more about who they are. There’s no one way to be non-binary. The best way to understand what it’s like to be non-binary is to talk with non-binary people and listen to their stories.