What Does it Mean to be Non-binary?

One type of gender identity is non-binary. Someone who is non-binary doesn’t identify as exclusively male or exclusively female but as something different. There are several different terms for this feeling including agender, genderfluid, two-spirit (this is reserved for the native American community), and more. If you’re not sure how someone identifies be sure to ask them! Just be sure to ask what their correct pronouns are as well!

Gender Spectrum

Being non-binary doesn’t mean that you’re half male and half female, that you’re half masculine and half feminine, or even that you’re androgynous. Your gender identity is a spectrum ranging from male to female and everything in between.

Take a minute and think about where you would fit into that spectrum. Do you like everything that your gender is “supposed” to like? Do you dress like a “typical” member of your gender? More than likely you have your own style and your own likes. How does the way you present yourself to the world change where you fall on the spectrum? Does that differ from how you view yourself?

One of the best ways to show support to non-binary folks is to use their correct pronouns and names. Practice asking and using people’s correct pronouns. The most common pronoun for non-binary people is they/them. It can confuse people at first to use they/them in a singular way but with some practice, you’ll be a pro in no time. Just be aware that there are other pronouns that people may use including Ze/Zir. If you’re not sure how to use these just ask.

Examples of Pronouns

Some examples of using they as a singular pronoun: They went to the park today. I went to the movie with them. That’s their phone

Some examples of using Ze/Zir: Ze was wearing a red shirt today. Ze wrote that paper zirself, the idea is zirs.

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