What does "non-binary" mean?

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. -Bernard Baruch

People rarely fit into neat little boxes, and they don't have to!

In many cultures, there are binary genders: either male or female.

While many people identify with the gender they were assigned at birth, that’s not true for everyone.

If a person doesn't identify as their birth gender, they're called transgender. Many transgender people identify as men or women, but not all do.

If a person doesn’t feel like either gender identity fits them, they're considered non-binary, because they don't identify as male or female.

People who are nonbinary may use gender-neutral pronouns. While there are a variety of gender-neutral pronouns, the most commonly used one is the singular they.

Instead of saying: "He went to the market to sell his wares," say: "They went to the market to sell their wares," when referring to a person whose pronouns are they/them/theirs or whose pronouns you are not aware of yet. Like all things, with practice, this becomes a habit.

If you are not sure, ask: What are your preferred pronouns?

Using a person's preferred pronouns is both truthful and respectful.

Misgendering (referring to a person with the wrong gender or pronouns) causes mental health issues for people.

Other Names for Non-Binary

There are many individual identities that are grouped under the term non-binary. Some include:

• Non-binary or nonbinary is sometimes shortened to “NB” or “enby” and can identify as gender-nonconforming

• Agender: a person without any specific gender identity

• Bigender: someone who identifies with two or more genders

• Genderfluid: a person whose gender identity frequently changes

• Genderqueer: someone with a specific gender that is not a binary gender

• Two Spirit: a term created by and for indigenous people in North America to describe a variety of genders with specific social and/or ceremonial roles

Ways to be more inclusive:

Identity cannot be found or fabricated but emerges from within when one has the courage to let go. - Doug Cooper