Who is a nonbinary person?
An umbrella term that refers to people whose deeply held sense of their gender (gender identity) is not exclusively man or woman. They may have a gender identity that is a mix of both man and woman, somewhere in between them, or neither. It is important to note that nonbinary is not a third gender, but a collective name for a number of gender identities, even though some nonbinary persons may use it as a personal descriptor for their gender identity.
How do you know you’re nonbinary?
Some nonbinary individuals recall feeling different from their assigned gender from a young age, often by expressing a desire to be or identify as a different gender. Some individuals may experiment with their gender expression through clothing, hairstyles, or behaviour, and find that it feels more authentic to them. This then leads to a level of relief from Gender Affirmation.
It should be noted that it is not a “Lifestyle choice“ or something that comes and goes. Rather, it is an essential part of who you are that can’t be changed. It is also constant and recurring.
Do nonbinary persons experience gender dysphoria?
Gender Dysphoria refers to psychological distress that results from an incongruence between one’s sex and one’s gender identity. It is a diagnosed condition with its diagnostic criteria elaborated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5-TR) of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
A common misconception is that nonbinary persons do not experience gender dysphoria. However, a significant percentage of nonbinary persons experience psychological distress that results from an incongruence between their sex (either male or female) and their gender identity (either a mix of both man and woman, somewhere in between them, or neither)
What process does a nonbinary person have to go through to live as the gender they innately identify as?
Nonbinary persons may take steps to align their sex with their deeply held sense of their gender in a process known as transitioning. Transitioning is a deeply personal journey that may involve different steps depending on individual circumstances, especially for nonbinary persons considering the fact that nonbinary identities are diverse and so are the goals and needs of nonbinary individuals.
It is also important to note that transitioning for many nonbinary people differs from transitioning for transgender men and women in several ways, primarily because the goals, reference points, and outcomes are different. Hence, the emphasis on individualized gender affirming care.
Access to supportive healthcare, legal protections, and an understanding of social environments can also play a significant role in a transgender person's ability to live authentically.
Here are some common steps that transgender individuals may take as part of their transition:Exploration: This involves recognizing and understanding one's gender identity and may include exploring the gender dysphoria they are experiencing and what it means to them.
Emotional and Mental Health Support: Many nonbinary individuals find it helpful to seek support from mental health professionals who are knowledgeable about gender identity issues.
Coming Out: Sharing one's gender identity with others, which can be a gradual process and may involve family, friends, and colleagues, it is important to be aware of one’s safety. It should be noted that this step is not the same for every nonbinary person.
Community Support: Connecting with other nonbinary individuals and supportive communities can provide validation, understanding, and a sense of belonging.
Social Transition: This can include changes in name, pronouns, clothing, hairstyle, and other aspects of gender expression to align with one's gender identity.
Legal Transition: Updating legal documents, such as identification, passports, and other official records, to reflect one's gender identity.
Medical Transition: Not all nonbinary individuals pursue medical transition, but for some, it may include hormone therapy and/or gender-affirming surgeries.
Is being nonbinary a new phenomenon?
Nonbinary people have always existed, though the language that is commonly used to refer to nonbinary people today may be newer. Many cultures around the world, including parts of Kenya, have recognized genders outside the man/woman binary for centuries. In many, if not most of these societies, nonbinary as well as other gender variant folk were seen as ‘semi-divine’ or messengers and oracles of the gods/divine. They were venerated and accorded great respect in their communities.
This, however, has recently changed, especially with the advent of colonization in the last couple of hundred years across the globe. Gender Variant people have now become the target of violence, systemic and systematic abuse and human rights violations, disenfranchisement from their communities and societies, victims of oppressive governments, political systems, legal and legislative systems frameworks, religious intolerance, and economic injustice in many places around the world.
Is ‘Nonbinary’ the same as ‘Gender Non-Conforming (GNC)?
“Nonbinary” and “gender non-conforming (GNC)” are not the same, although they can overlap. ‘Nonbinary’ refers to gender identity, which is how an individual understands and experiences their own gender. ‘Gender Non-Conforming’, on the other hand, refers to gender expression, how someone presents themselves through clothing, behavior, or appearance.
A person is GNC if their appearance or behavior doesn’t conform to societal expectations of how a person of their sex or assigned gender “should” look or act. Thus, a GNC person may identify as a man, woman, or nonbinary.
So while many nonbinary people are also gender non-conforming, not all GNC people are nonbinary. As an ITGNC-centered organization, Jinsiangu specifically serves GNC persons who are intersex, transgender, nonbinary or gender questioning.
Are nonbinary and gender non-conforming people in Kenya asking for special rights?
Nonbinary and gender non-conforming people here in Kenya ARE NOT asking or demanding for Special Rights, but rather the same rights as any other citizen of this great country. These are legal protections under the law, legal gender recognition, safety and protection against human rights violations and abuses.
How do I refer to a nonbinary person respectfully?
Use their chosen name and pronouns, and listen if they share how they’d like to be referred to. If you make a mistake, correct yourself and move on.