Non-binary is a term that people use to identify with a gender which is considered outside the stereotypical gender binary of male or female. Non-binary is also categorised and falls under the trans umbrella term although not all non-binary people identify as a trans person. Non-binary describes a wide range of different identities which fall outside the gender binary and can be related to or can be a completely separate to male and female gender identities.
The gender binary is the assumption that all people are either male, female or man or woman. People who identify as male or female identify as a binary gender, a non-binary person identifies with a gender that is not male or female.
Some people simply identify as non-binary however other specific non-binary genders include but not limited to:
- AGENDER: Having no gender or genderless.
- ANDROGYNE: Identifying somewhere between a man and a woman.
- BIGENDER: Having two gender identities, either at the same time or interchangeably
- DEMIBOY: Partially, but not completely, identifying as a man, boy or masculine person.
- DEMIGIRL: Partially, but not completely, identifying as a woman, girl or masculine person.
- DEMIGENDER: Having partial connection with one gender (male, female or other)
- GENDERFLUID: Moving between genders at different times in different circumstances.
- GENDERQUEER: A non-confirming or queer gender. Not having an exclusive connection to any gender
- TRANSFEMININE: A person assigned male at birth (Known as AMAB) who identifies with a feminine gender but does not identify as a woman.
- TRANSMASCULINE: A person assigned female at birth (Known as AFAB) who identifies with a masculine gender but does not identify as a man.
Some non-binary people use alternative pronouns. Traditionally a woman would be referred to as she or her whereas a man would be referred to as he and him. Many non-binary people use the pronouns as if referring to the third person. For example, a woman may say I use she and here pronouns where as a non-binary person may use they or them as their pronouns. Not all non-binary people use they/them pronouns, some use traditional pronouns that correspond with their assigned birth sex whereas others choose not too.
Other pronouns that are used in addition to she/her, he/him and they/them include but not limited to:
- Xe/Xem
- Ze/Zir
- Zhe/Zer
Some non-binary people choose to transition just as other trans people do too. Non-binary people choose to have surgeries that affirm their gender to reflect who they are. For example, some non-binary people have their breasts removed or choose to have genital reconstruction. Some Non-binary people also opt for hormone treatment whereas some have no medical intervention whatsoever. There are no rules for how a non-binary people should transition.
