Who are non-binary people and how to contact them

From April 11, 2022, American citizens will be able to choose one of three genders when applying for a passport, including non-binary X. Let’s figure out who non-binary people are and whether they can be distinguished by external features

Who is a non-binary person

A non-binary person is a person whose gender identity is neither feminine nor masculine. Initially, these people were called “genderqueer” (from English queer – fake, fake, fake). Over time, the term “genderqueer” has come to be used as a generic term for identities that transcend the traditional binary system. In 2014, “genderqueer” in the media was replaced by a more neutral concept of “non-binary gender”.

For the first time, a non-binary character appeared on the big TV screen in the TV series Billions. The role of the hedge fund star’s hero was given to Asia Kate Dillon. In the series, they played a character that reflects their real gender identity. In 2018, Dillon was nominated for an Emmy Award for this role. True, the organizers had difficulties with the definition of gender. They sent a letter to Asia, in which they asked to clarify which nomination is closer: best actor or supporting actress. Asia preferred the first option because the word “actor” is gender neutral. There is also a non-binary character in the continuation of the Sex and the City series. Actress Sara Ramirez played podcast host Che Diaz. And in 2022, American figure skater Timothy LeDuc became the first athlete in the history of the Olympic Games to publicly declare his non-binary.

At the same time, non-binarity as a phenomenon has a long history and has been found in many Western cultures. For example, the Native American peoples of the United States believed that there were people who did not fit into the usual binary gender system. The Indians had five concepts or five genders: man, woman, man with two souls, woman with two souls, transgender. So, the Navajo tribe called people with two souls Nadleehi (changed), in Ojibwe there was the concept of Niizh Manidoowag (two spirits), and a person with two souls in the Cheyenne was called Hemaneh (half-man-half-woman).

There is no information on the exact number of non-binary people in our country. Experts believe that this is due to the specificity of the problem. Often such people have to hide their lives in order to avoid discrimination. But in some countries, statistics are freely available. According to a study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, 1,2 million LGBTQ+ people in the US identify as non-binary. Most of them are under 29 years old. The Williams Institute national poll also revealed other facts:

• 55% of non-binary people surveyed have experienced bullying, beatings, physical assault, or sexual assault;
• 82% experienced emotional abuse as children;
• 53% reported being bullied as children;
• 11% of non-binary people were exposed to conversion therapy at an early age.

In 2012, the International Day of Visibility for Non-Binary People appeared. It is celebrated on July 14th. The main goal is to talk about the problems that non-binary people face around the world. Some legal issues have already been resolved. So, from April 11, 2022, all American citizens will be able to choose one of three genders when applying for a passport, including non-binary X. Gender-neutral passports are also issued in Australia, New Zealand, Nepal, Canada, the Netherlands and Argentina.

Non-binary persons also have their own flag. It was created by activist Kai Rowan in 2014. The yellow line represents those whose gender is outside the binary system. The white line represents people of all genders. The purple line represents those whose gender identity is somewhere between masculine and feminine or a mixture of both. The black line symbolizes people outside of gender.

Photo by wikipedia.org

What you need to know about non-binary people

The very word “gender” appeared thanks to the sexologist John Money. In 1955, in his works, he proposed to separate the biological sex of a person from his role in society. After all, sex and gender are not the same thing. We analyze the basic concepts with the help of the MSD medical reference book.

• Gender the biological status of a person. It is determined by medical professionals, focusing on the primary and secondary sexual characteristics of the child.
• Gender Identity a sense of belonging to a certain gender. A person decides how to define himself: a man, a woman, a transgender or another term. At the same time, gender identity has nothing to do with sexual orientation. That is, a non-binary person can classify himself as any gender, but at the same time remain heterosexual.
• Sexual identity – human sexual preferences.
• gender identity – the individual’s feeling of being in the role of a boy or a girl, a man or a woman.
• Gender role – public display of gender identity.
• Transgender – the discrepancy between the gender identity of a person and the sex assigned to him at birth.

Are non-binary people born or made?

According to experts, biological factors (set of genes, prenatal hormonal environment) largely determine a person’s gender identity. Scientists even conducted a study of the brain, which confirmed this fact. However, social factors also influence a person’s gender identity and gender role. For example, the nature of the emotional connection with the parents and the relationship of each parent with the child.

Are non-binary people intersex people?

According to the classical binary system, there are only two genders: male and female. But there is another category of people that does not fit into the usual framework. Such persons are called intersex. In their case, the choice of sex is not a problem of self-identity and self-perception, but a medical feature.

Intersex people are usually called people who have pathologies of the development of the genital organs or genetic abnormalities. According to the UN, up to 1,7% of children are born with gender characteristics that do not fit into traditional binary representations. At the same time, in many countries intersex children are still prescribed procedures and operations that are aimed at changing their sexual characteristics and appearance. The UN opposes such measures, noting that these actions violate their rights, and such interventions cause physical and psychological suffering.

Are non-binary people transgender?

Non-binary and transgender people are generally categorized as transgender. But these concepts should not be confused.

How to distinguish a non-binary person by external signs?

It is impossible to distinguish a non-binary person by external signs. The only way is communication. During the conversation, you need to follow the pronouns that the interlocutor uses. But not always they can act as an indicator of his gender. It’s also not worth asking direct questions. If a person wants, then he himself will raise this topic and open up to you.

Types of non-binary personas

As we wrote above, a non-binary person is a general concept that covers all people whose gender identity is neither feminine nor masculine. But even among them there is a division. Let’s imagine the main types of non-binary people.

How to communicate with non-binary people

Non-binary gender creates some linguistic and philological difficulties. How to deal with such people?

If at the first contact with a non-binary person it was not immediately possible to clarify which pronouns or a name are comfortable for him, it is better to avoid phrases with a gender marker in a conversation and not use pronouns.