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.
