The Nonbinary Gender Experience

January 22, 2024
ARIANA LEVI

Calling All Gender Rebels: Let's Celebrate the Beauty of Nonbinary Identity!

Gender identity terms play a crucial role in how individuals express their unique gender identity, irrespective of their assigned sex at birth. Recently, I stumbled upon a thought-provoking interview with Australian nonbinary singer G Flip on 60 Minutes Australia, and it inspired me to share this enlightening perspective with you, dear reader. Though these terms may initially appear perplexing or arbitrary, they possess the power to either belittle or empower others.

As a millennial lesbian, I am intrigued by the concept of non-binary identities. Fifteen years ago, when I first came out, the terminology surrounding nonbinary experiences was not as prevalent in nomenclature or popular culture. However, I can perfectly understand its essence. There exists something within me that defies traditional femininity, manifesting itself in my attraction to women. While my gender journey aligns predominantly with femme expression, I have encountered numerous individuals who do not conform to the molds of femininity or masculinity, grappling profoundly with a sense of not fitting in. Their authentic gender exploration can be aptly described as "non-binary."

In my humble opinion, G Flip has masterfully captured the essence of feeling disconnected from conventional gender spectrums. They vividly described how, even as a young child, wearing the boy's uniform and engaging in activities typically associated with boys, they were still excluded because of their assigned gender. Simultaneously, they did not resonate with the experiences of girls either. G Flip's poignant story highlights the confusion this can create for families, prompting them to invent alternative terms to be respectful and inclusive.

Their family has come up with terms like "broster" (brother and sister), "dauson" (daughter and son), "wusband" or "wussy" (husband and wife/wifey), "unty" or "uncy" (uncle and aunt), and "nibling" (niece and nephew) to encompass their unique gender experience and bridge the gap between the traditional gender binary.

However, it is essential to recognize that there are additional terms, such as agender, bigender, genderfluid, and transgender, that warrant our understanding and respect. Agender individuals do not identify with any gender identities, while bigender people simultaneously identify with two distinct genders. Gender-fluid individuals shift between genders or experience fluctuations in their gender identity over time. Transgender is an umbrella term encompassing those who identify as a gender different from their assigned sex at birth, including trans men, trans women, and nonbinary individuals such as genderfluid, genderqueer, and agender people.

While this may initially seem complex, being nonbinary means not aligning with the traditional experiences of being a man or a woman. The other gender identity terms provide further clarity and understanding of each individual's unique journey with their gender identity. For example, actor Bella Ramsey from Last of Us, identifies as nonbinary but submitted their application for the 2023 Emmy Awards to the actress category. She added: “I don’t want the limitations in terms of the language in the categories to be a reason that nonbinary actors like me can’t be celebrated. And it can open up a conversation about how it feels—as long as I’m aware of the fact that it’s not ideal, but also that finding alternatives is really complex.” This came after nonbinary actor Liv Hewson withdrew from the Emmys altogether.

It is crucial, dear reader, to approach these concepts with respect and empathy. We needn't fully comprehend someone to respect them. By avoiding assumptions and embracing open-mindedness, we can foster understanding and compassion. We contribute to a more inclusive and understanding society by empowering individuals to express themselves authentically. Remember, the key lies not in understanding but in respecting.