Non-Binary

A gender identity (and umbrella term) for genders that exist outside the male/female binary. Non-binary people may identify as neither man nor woman, as both, as a combination, or as something else entirely.

"Non-binary" as a gender identity descriptor emerged in online communities in the early 2010s. The underlying experiences predate the terminology significantly.

• Non-binary and third gender identities are documented across thousands of years of human history worldwide
• 1990 - Judith Butler publishes Gender Trouble, arguing gender is performative
• 2014 - Kye Rowan designs the non-binary pride flag, aged 17, to complement the genderqueer flag
• 2015 - American Dialect Society declares singular "they" its Word of the Year
• 2019 - Judith Butler comes out as non-binary; Merriam-Webster adds singular "they"
• Several countries now offer legal non-binary gender markers on identity documents

• "Non-binary is a modern trend invented online." Non-binary identities are documented across thousands of years of human history.
• "Non-binary people just want attention." Non-binary is a deeply felt, consistent gender identity.
• "You can tell if someone is non-binary by how they look." Gender expression and gender identity are entirely separate.

• Judith Butler (1956-) - Philosopher; Gender Trouble; came out as non-binary 2019
• Sam Smith (1992-) - British musician; came out as non-binary 2019
• Alok Vaid-Menon (1991-) - Performance artist and non-binary advocate