The Non-Binary Identity
Having written a number of articles on Transgenderism it has been intention for some time to look into the unique gender identity of non-binary. First of all I will start by examining the concept of the binary. Some cultures-societies generally recognize only two genders. The word binary means ‘having two parts’-and in this context refers to Male and Female; hence the ideological construct that there is exclusively two genders is referred to as the ‘gender binary’. This basic description thus helps to better understand ‘Non-binary’- as one term descriptive of gender identities that do not neatly fall into these two categories.
Within the current Cisgender heteronormative culture-ideology many people make the mistaken assumption that the Non-binary gender identity is nothing more than a fashionable trend being followed by a collective within the populace. However, in contradinction to the fact that some cultures only recognize two genders, the truth is that Non-binary identities have been recognized by cultures-societies on a global scale for millennia.
The Non-binary identity can come under the Transgender umbrella and together with such terms as ‘Genderqueer’ describes a gender identity that is ‘outside’ of the heteronormative gender binary-dichotomy. There are also the associated terms of androgyny, queer, third gender and two-spirit. Thus, this is an identity that is Trans in the sense that it is divergent/gender non-conforming to the gender of the individual assigned at birth, as such it is a gender identity that is neither exclusively male or female. This identity as such can be perceived as a ‘third option’ in which the ‘Transition’ isn’t as ‘linear’. However, it should be stated that whilst some people would affirm that the Non-binary identity is a Transgender identity, and indeed some Non-binary individuals do in fact identify as Transgender, most Transgender people are not Non-binary and affirm an identity either end of the gender binary/spectrum, Male or Female.
Also, as explained by one young Non-binary person online: ‘There is a whole variety of experience’, which they further explained can be a confusing and isolating experience and there is no one way of being Non-binary. In fact you could ask another person who identifies as Non-binary and they will give you a completely different story. Furthermore, there are various types of Non-binary identity with obviously some being more discussed than others. First of all, in no particular order, there is Agender. This is a ‘gender identity’ undefined or neutral, in other words there is no specific gender identity. This can also be described as ‘genderless’ or ‘neutrois’. There is also the term Bigender for people identifying with two distinct genders which alternate or can be simultaneous. The term Genderfluid is used to describe individuals who alternate or ‘move’ between the binary of two or sometimes more gender identities. Last of all in this list Genderqueer has become an all-inclusive term for people who identify as Non-binary. However, some individuals use this term as their specific identity. Finally here I thought it would help to quote an expert opinion; according to Non-binary Sex Educator and Therapist Aida Manduley M.S.W: ‘However this person identifies their gender, it does not follow the binary of man and woman.’ Generally speaking Non-binary means different things to different people.
In reference to what was said above about Non-binary identities being recognized by cultures-societies, some of which are very old and traditional cultures, I would like to say something about the term ‘Two Spirit’. When attempting to describe a variety of gender non-conforming identities within the native indigenous American culture-populace, a ‘Pan-Tribal’ term was created ‘by and for’ this community. This term is ‘Two Spirit’ which is not only used to describe gender identities outside of the binary, but is also inclusive of ‘Specific Social and or/Ceremonial roles’. Within the culture of the indigenous Americans, or more specifically the-Pan-cultural/Tribal collective, the term ‘Two Spirit’ has become an umbrella term and one that can be adopted as a specific identity.
I think that it is also important to say something about the pronouns used by Non-binary individuals. The people who identify in this way use gender neutral pronouns, that thus have no specific gender labels, such as ‘They’ and ‘Them’. These specific words have in fact been used as singular pronouns since the 14th century. In our modern Era the Non-binary identity has led to the usage of some interesting and somewhat humorous terms such as ‘Theydies’ and ‘Gentlethems’, or even the term ‘Datemates’ instead of the obviously gender specific words boyfriend or girlfriend. Also in general terms the words ‘Every-one’ or ‘Folks’ have been adopted in reference to the Non-binary community. Last of all here people who identify as Non-binary can also be referred to with the shortened terms ‘nb’ or ‘enby’. However, both terms have proved unsatisfactory and the cause of controversy.
However, to make matters even more complex, within a social context, some Non-binary individuals can identify as ‘Woman or Man ‘aligned’’. This ‘alignment’ is related to occupying a social space-role generally associated with the gender they were assigned at birth. Unfortunately, the partial identification with Male or Female can be problematical-and can lead to the experience of ‘trans-misogyny’. This hybrid term is descriptive of a blend of transphobia and misogyny that can be experienced by Transgender Women.
Furthermore according to one writer there is no such thing as looking Non-binary. For example, a Non-binary person assigned Female at birth, can obviously look Female and most people they encounter will assume that they are Female and consequently use Female pronouns. However, it can be more complex than that because the use of this specific pronoun can be partially right as certain individuals identify as both Female and Non-binary.
In relation to this it is interesting to note that many people conditioned by the heteronormative gender binary, if they are aware of the existence of people who identify as Non-binary, will make the mistaken assumption that such individuals would or should adopt an androgynous style of dress. This is ironically partially understandable as fashion can and does have strong ‘gender signifiers’. This is interestingly something that has been explored by some Modern Transgender Artists as I wrote about in my previous article on Transgender Art. It is something that has also been used and parodied by Drag performers, and gender signifiers/Drag has also been explored by Artists as a means of questioning the gender binary. Basically, we all know that some Cisgender Women have long hair and wear dresses, but some ‘Cis’ Women have short hair and wear trousers. Similarly some Non-binary individuals assigned Female at birth will wear dresses and have long hair however the point is that this doesn’t make them any less Non-binary.
Finally I wanted to state that whenever I’ve started research into these articles I’ve always looked up various sources online. However, this time around I was presented with a unique opportunity to actually briefly interview a friend of mine who happens to be Non-binary, and who shared information and their own unique perspective on this identity. They told me the basic facts that Non-binary is when a person can’t identify as either gender. They also told me that they don’t feel like ‘a girl or a guy either’, partly due to negative Female experiences being raised in a patriarchy. They told me how being Non-binary impacted on their orientation, and that it took a long time to come to terms with their sexuality. Also, that it feels uncomfortable not to be able to use ‘Non-binary’ with words such as lesbian and gay.
