The Gender Binary and Non-Binary Individuals

Within the United States, and much of the world, it is the cultural norm to classify people as male or female – this is called the gender binary. Many individuals have a gender identity that does not fit within this binary, and use the umbrella term non-binary.

Someone who is non-binary does not identify as exclusively male or female. They may identify as both, neither, or some combination of the two. For example, someone who identifies as non-binary may feel more masculine on some days and more feminine on other days. Their gender expression, the way they present themselves (including clothing choices), may fluctuate – or they may choose to dress more androgynously.

It is important to know that being non-binary is completely normal! It is neither “new” nor a choice. There is evidence of a greater gender spectrum dating back thousands of years.

Sexual Orientation

Being non-binary does not imply anything about a person’s sexual identity. Non-binary individuals may identify as heterosexual, asexual or anywhere on the LGBTQ spectrum.

Transgender

Someone who identifies as non-binary may or may not identify as transgender. Transgender refers to a person whose biological sex, often including genitalia and hormones, do not match their gender identity, or internal sense of self. Some non-binary individuals seek medical treatment, which may include hormone replacement therapy or surgery, to better align their physical body with their gender identity. Additionally, some non-binary people choose to present as male or female (as opposed to androgynously) as a matter of personal safety.

Pronouns

Some non-binary individuals prefer the typical masculine and feminine pronouns: he/his or she/hers. Others prefer non-gendered pronouns.

Some common non-gendered pronouns include they/them and ze/hir (pronounced “hear”).

For example:

• They have an appointment today. I will take them to the exam room.
• Ze has an appointment today. I will take hir to the exam room.