Gender non-binary identity is a term utilized for describing individuals who might experience an identity of gender that is neither exclusively female nor male or is beyond or between both genders. Non-binary people may identify themselves as the third gender, agender (without gender), or gender fluid, or even something else altogether. Sometimes, individuals who are non-binary gender are always included in the broader category of transgender people ( Richards, Bouman, Seal, Barker, Nieder & T’Sjoen, 2016). Besides, non-binary gender is often not associated with particular gender expression, including androgyny. Non-binary individuals as a group may sometimes reject gender “identities” altogether. The different types of non-binary gender are such as agender, bigender, genderfluid, genderqueer, non-binary, and third gender.
According to some anthropologists and constructionist historians, the non-binary gender can be traced back to the 19th century, a time when sexuality was initially medicalized. Besides, during the early 20th century, sexuality was being determined by gender roles instead of sexual partners. For example, “feminine” men who engaged in sexual activities with fellow men were labeled as “fairies” or “mollies,” while masculine men who participated in the same sexual activities were never labeled ( Matsuno & Budge, 2017). By the mid 20th century, it became a normal thing for lay individuals within the United States in labeling people as either homosexual or heterosexual. Besides, it is imperative in understanding that gender neutrality is the movement for ending gender discrimination within society through the means of gender-neutral language in addition to the end of sex segregation.
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Concerning legal recognition, most gender non-binary individuals still utilize the gender they had at birth for conducting their daily businesses since most areas of life still use binary gender for doing business. Things are also changing in the current world since new companies are beginning to accept non-binary genders. Nicholas (2019) observes that several countries are now legally recognizing transgender individuals as the third gender. For example, Western countries, including Australia, may have been the very first countries in recognizing third gender classifications.
Notable celebrities such as JD Samson and Asia Kate Dillon are significant examples of individuals with the identities of non-binary gender. Individuals with non-binary gender are increasingly gaining some medical recognition in addition to social visibility. The representation of non-binary gender within the Western popular culture, including the celebrities mentioned above on the internet, has significantly assisted in representing non-binary gender to the mainstream realm ( Richards, Bouman, Seal, Barker, Nieder & T’Sjoen, 2016). Also, the non-binary gender people are known for challenging and disrupting the gender dichotomy. Therefore, they experience various problems, such as transphobia and discrimination.
Regardless of increasing space for gender minorities, non-binary gender individuals have to deal with issues like violence, harassment, and discrimination, in addition to other forms of inequality. Such inequality automatically reduces such individuals to different identities. Additionally, when compared to same-sex attracted individuals and binary-identified transgender individuals, those characterized by the identification of non-binary gender are faced with more challenges since they even fit less within the conservative matrix of fixed-gender for the heterosexual masculinity or feminity ( Matsuno & Budge, 2017). As a result, the non-binary gender people often find themselves in-between the exclusionary practices and inclusionary discourses structures.
It is also crucial to understand that gender non-binarism is characteristically an example of an identity that is highly stigmatized. As a result, this raises the concern of how non-binary ordinary gender young individuals are experiencing their gender identity. Based on this, Nicholas (2019) argues that gender non-binary young people are faced with contradictory processes of exclusion and inclusion, and even though they often experience mounting visibility, they are as well experiencing stigmatization at the same time.
References
Matsuno, E., & Budge, S. L. (2017). Non-binary/genderqueer identities: A critical review of the literature. Current Sexual Health Reports , 9 (3), 116-120.
Nicholas, L. (2019). Queer ethics and fostering positive mindsets toward non-binary gender, genderqueer, and gender ambiguity. International Journal of Transgenderism , 20 (2-3), 169-180.
Richards, C., Bouman, W. P., Seal, L., Barker, M. J., Nieder, T. O., & T’Sjoen, G. (2016). Non- binary or genderqueer genders. International Review of Psychiatry , 28 (1), 95-102.
