Non-binary; What Does It Mean and Why Does This Term Exist?
Definition
From the moment we are born, we are taught that there are two genders: boy/man and girl/woman. This is called the gender binary. For many people, terms like man and woman don’t accurately describe their gender identity. These people are nonbinary. In terms of gender identity, nonbinary is an umbrella term for any gender that is neither 100% man nor 100% woman.
History of the term
While the word nonbinary is relatively new, the idea of genders existing beyond the binary has been around for centuries! Two-spirit Native Americans, Quariwarmi Incas, Ashtime Ethiopians, Meti Nepalese, and many other third genders have been present in cultures all over the world.
Why does the term exist?
The term nonbinary exists for the same reason many other labels exist: to create a sense of belonging. By having the term nonbinary, many people are able to discover there is a word to describe how they feel about their gender. They are also able to discover that there is a whole community of people who feel the same way. Many people find using labels such as nonbinary to be empowering. Having these terms also creates a sense of validity and makes it easier to bring awareness to the identity.
Discussion Questions
Do you identify as nonbinary or know anyone who does?
Do you know of any cultures that have a third gender?
What does “nonbinary” mean to you?
If you are nonbinary, what is something you wish other people knew about your identity?
Anything else you would like to add about being nonbinary?
Sources
“Interactive Map: Gender-Diverse Cultures.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 14 Oct. 2021, https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/content/two-spirits_map-html/.
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Thank you for the awesome information about nonbinary! I hope many people will read this as it is a great tidbit of information. And here are my discussion answers!
I have several friends who identify as nonbinary
I am not sure that I do, but I would love to learn about one that does!
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Nonbinary to me means that a person does not identify with male or female gender roles.
Hello! Thanks for this great and informational post :D
I am not non-binary, but I have some friends and family who are.
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Yes. I learned about māhū, a third gender in Hawaiian and Tahitian culture.
(I only answered two because I felt the last three were more directed at non-binary people)
💜💜💜
@SnailPurple
Hi! Thanks for this lovely, informative discussion. I really appreciate it (^w^)
1. Hehe, I happen to be nonbinary myself! :P I also have a nonbinary friend.
2. Not yet...just goes to show that I need to read up on this topic more.
3. To me, "nonbinary" means not identifying as male nor female. It can be likened to the term "androgynous", but may not necessarily be used interchangeably. It feels more "gender-neutral" to me.
4. I just wish that everybody would respect my identification as a nonbinary, that's all.
5. I think that the definition of "nonbinary" varies from every enby. For instance, my preferred pronouns are she/her and they/them. The she/her stems from how I identified as female until my realization that I'm an enby and as such is kind of a knee-jerk reaction for me, and the they/them is my progression into being nonbinary and fine with being referred to in a gender-neutral way. In contrast, my other enby friend is fine with all pronouns, whether it's he/him, she/her, or they/them.
@SnailPurple
First off thank you for posting this . Love the info about the non binary gender
Now for the answers,
Do you identify as nonbinary or know anyone who does?
Yes , I identify as non binary 😊
Do you know of any cultures that have a third gender?
I'm from India. And my culture actually has a third gender - the hijras. And there are third gender/neutral pronouns in the sanskrit as well, if I'm correct
What does “nonbinary” mean to you?
For me non binary is something that's outside the binary of what we usually define gender to be (which is either make or female). For me I feel like my gender is neither male or female. So for me, non binary sits more correct for me.
If you are nonbinary, what is something you wish other people knew about your identity?
A lot of things, actually. I wish people could stop saying that I'm doing a trend...because I'm not. And I'm not being dramatic either. It's just who I am. I wish that people would respect and acknowledge my gender the same way you acknowledge and respect the male and female gender.
Anything else you would like to add about being nonbinary?
I think the core idea of non binary is same for everyone who identifies as one. There is no specific manner or dress code to show you're non binary (clothes don't have gender). You can express yourself in any way you want to, and that's fine.
Also pronouns are really important. I think everyone deserves to be addressed by the pronouns they identify with. Like, for example I don't mind being addressed as she/her but I prefer they/them more. It's different for others
So it's important to ask them what their orefered pronouns are. It might feel uncomfortable, but its better to know the correct pronoun that misgendering people.
Thank you for letting me post this !
Stay safe everyone 😊
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Do you identify as nonbinary or know anyone who does?
I identify as nonbinary! I also have many friends who fall under the nonbinary umbrella.
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Do you know of any cultures that have a third gender?
I know many indigenous cultures have a third gender called "two-spirited", which means the person has both a feminine and a masucline spirit. (To the best of my understanding, please correct me if I'm wrong.)
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What does “nonbinary” mean to you?
Not completely male and/or not completely female. Somewhere in the middle or outside of the gender spectrum.
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If you are nonbinary, what is something you wish other people knew about your identity?
I wish others would know that I am a nonbinary who happens to hate terms like 'girl' 'she' 'queen' and others. However, I don't mind 'princess' sometimes.
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Anything else you would like to add about being nonbinary?
Not all nonbinaries are the same. Some may be nonbinary and use gendered terms and prononus. And dress like a certain binary gender. But that doesn't make them any less nonbinary. They are vaild and exist.
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Do you identify as nonbinary or know anyone who does?
I identify as nonbinary/genderqueer/genderfluid
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Do you know of any cultures that have a third gender?
Seen a few documentaries on gender but i couldn't name them right now.
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What does “nonbinary” mean to you?
Not being stuck in one box.
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If you are nonbinary, what is something you wish other people knew about your identity?
That it's not threatening to your gender.
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Anything else you would like to add about being nonbinary?
every relationship i'm in is automatically gay :3
@affableStrings4654
I love this response! I can relate to number five lol
1) yes I identify as nonbinary.
2) I am not aware of any cultures that have a third gender
3) being nonbinary means that by labeling myself I feel like I belong to a community. I identify myself more as a female than a male. I use the pronouns she/ her.
4) something else I want people to know about my identity is that I am still figuring things out and am looking for a place to belong.
5) I also want to add that I honestly am so grateful to be able to articulate how I identify myself.
