What does nonbinary mean? How is nonbinary used to talk about gender? This article will teach you all you need to know about the meaning of nonbinary.
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Kevin
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February 9, 2022
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What Does the Word Nonbinary Mean?
According to Very Well Mind, nonbinary refers to a person who does not identify as any gender. They do not identify as male or female, and they often use they/them pronouns or gender-neutral language. Non-binary people fall outside the gender binary; they are not a “third gender.”
Some non-binary people may identify with categories that encompass transgender and intersex identities within the LGBTQ community. Those with non-binary identities might also identify as transgender.
A non-binary person might share some experiences with trans men and trans women, such as gender dysphoria. These people might go on hormones, get surgery, or alter their outward appearance to better reflect their internal truth.
Gender does not determine sexual orientation. People who are nonbinary can identify with several different sexualities. People with nonbinary gender identities might incorporate feminine and masculine traits into their gender expression.
Some celebrities with nonbinary identities include Demi Lovato and Sam Smith. While nonbinary people have been around for a long time, this term rose to popularity in the 2000s.
How Can the Word Nonbinary Be Used in a Sentence?
Talking about gender is a great way to normalize identities across the gender spectrum. Acceptance can always start with you! Sharing your own identity can make other people feel much more comfortable sharing their own.
People might not know if a person is accepting of non-binary identities. People can also not tell if someone is nonbinary just by looking at them. By fostering conversation with other people, we can make gender acceptance a part of everyday life.
Check out the below examples to see how people might discuss a nonbinary gender identity in daily life.
Example One: Introductions at the LGBT Center
Person One: Welcome to the LGBT Center! Can I interest you in a pronoun pin?
Person Two: Thank you! And sure! I’ll take the they/them pin. I identify as nonbinary.
Person One: Great, here you go! I also identify as nonbinary. Welcome to the center, and let me know if you have any questions.
Example Two: Coming Out
Person One: I have something to tell you: I identify as nonbinary, and I’m going to start using they/them pronouns.
Person Two: That’s great! I feel so honored that you are comfortable telling me that. Can I still call you by your birth name, or do you plan on changing your name?
Person One: For now, you can stick with my birth name, but I will let you know if that ever changes. Thank you for accepting me.
Person Two: I’ll do my absolute best to use your preferred pronouns, and I’m so sorry if I ever slip up.
In both examples, people discuss their identities and identify as nonbinary. If you identify as nonbinary but don’t have anyone to talk to or if you are questioning your identity, there are numerous online resources you can access for support.
Other LGBTQ Terms
LGBTQIA Health Education lists a plethora of words and phrases often associated with the LGBTQIA community. If you are participating in discussions about gender and sexuality, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with these terms. The more educated you are, the more you will be able to contribute to a conversation.
- Gay
- Questioning
- Genderqueer
- Polyamorous
- Coming out
- Minority stress
- Ally
- Tucking
- Top surgery
- Queer
- Drag
- Transition
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
- Women who have sex with women (WSW)
- Binding
- Pangender
- Disorders of Sex Development
- Bigender
- Asexual
- Transsexual
- Gender binary
- Assigned sex at birth
- Trans man/Transgender man
- Female-to-male (FTM)
- Agender
- Outing
- Heteronormativity
- Same-sex attraction (SSA)
- Lesbian
- Gender identity
- Sexual orientation
- Aromantic
- Cisgender
- QPOC
- Transphobia
- Transmasculine
- Male-to-female (MTF)
- Social stigma
- Homophobia
- Cross-sex hormone therapy
- Gender non-confirming
- Intersex
- Biphobia
- Transgender
- Gender fluid
- Structural stigma
- Trans woman/transgender woman
- Bottom surgery
- Two-Spirit
- Transfeminine
- Same gender loving (SGL)
- Straight
- Gender dysphoria
- Pansexual
- Intersectionality
- Heterosexual
- Gender affirming surgery (GAS)
- Gender role
- Bisexual
What Are Synonyms of the Word Nonbinary?
A few different gender identities fall under the umbrella term of nonbinary. Some people might view each of these terms slightly differently, but they are largely synonymous. Be sure to respect other people’s wishes and refer to them as their chosen identity.
A person who is nonbinary might also refer to themselves as genderfluid, gender non-conforming, bigender, genderqueer, neutrois, or agender. In other cultures like those in Southeast Asia or Indigenous populations, a nonbinary or trans person might refer to themselves as hijra or two-spirit.
What Are Translations of the Word Nonbinary?
Nonbinary people exist all over the world. Many people in the LGBT community find common ground with people online, especially if they do not know any LGBT people in person. If you are speaking with someone who does not speak English about gender and sexuality, knowing different translations of the word nonbinary can be extremely useful.
This list of translations of non-binary from Word Sense is a great place to start:
- French: non-binaire
- Esperanto: neduuma
- Interlingua: `non binari
- German: nichtbinär, genderqueer, nicht-binär, nonbinär
- Spanish: no-binario
Conclusion
Overall, a non-binary gender is when a person’s gender identity is neither male nor female—people who are nonbinary fall outside the gender binary.
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